Topic 2.

Really, nothing on Earth can be permanent. Animals and plants evolve and/or go extinct, same for humans. Even through evolution things, like animals aren't permanent because they aren't the same as they were.
People can live with this because it's just part of life, they must accept at some point in time that things can't be forever, infact nothing can. It is rather depressing to think that nothing will ever be the same as it once was but that doesn't mean it will be bad. The view on change is warped because just because something is different doesn't automatically make it bad. Just like coming to terms, or at least understanding, death, impermanence must be dealt with. People realize that dealing with everything constantly changing is better than refusing it or choosing to end their own lives, as morbid as it sounds.
Religion, the idea of heaven and hell, gives people the reassurence they need to get on with their lives. The idea of having something after they die. That idea hasn't changed, although their are several different ideas of what that afterlife is. Humans find extreme comfort in knowing that instead of rotting in the ground forever they will be rewarded and get to carry out a greater life elsewhere. Although it is common to believe that Enkidu was the one punished with death the real punishment was cast onto Gilgamesh for having to deal with the death of Enkidu. Enkidu was the one who was sent to the afterlife and got to carry on whereas Gilgamesh suffered for as long as he did because he couldn't come to terms with the idea of one day he was going to die.

A hero is someone, usually a male, that exceeds what a "regular" person can do. Most (super) heroes are known for their super powers like their strength, flying abilities, x-ray vision, and what have you. That at least is a child's view of what a hero can be, the prefix "super" is automatically added. Children do grow to realize that just because a man isn't wearing neon and unusually tight clothing doesn't he mean he can't be a hero.
Luke Skywalker, Indiana Jones, and Frodo Baggins are obviously known for being heroes. They have all set out on journeys searching to save, steal, or return a precious something or other. They're not heroes because they can fly around, although seeing a hovering hobbit could be entertaining, but because they succeeded in what they sought to do and didn't give up regardless anything else. A hero is determine, strong (mentally or physically), and above all they help people, although it's not usually from giant monsters (unless we're talking about Star Wars).
Males are viewed as heroes more than women because they look more like heroes. They have those toned muscles, are bigger, and are over all masculine. Men, for most of history, have been viewed as stronger due to only their appearance. This is a total misjudgment that society often makes because although men may not agree women usually have more brain power and are mentally stronger.