Any character influence you?

Great question over on the Nathan Bransford blog. He reminds us that "fictional characters possess all of the power of real people when it comes to influencing and changing lives. So the question: what fictional characters have most affected you? Who has changed your personality, worldview, and/or ethics."

I wonder what would happen if we narrowed this down to the mystery / thriller genres - can anyone honestly say they were influenced, even in any part of their lives, by a fictional detective or other character from these genres?

Camping with Holmes and Watson

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson were going camping. They pitched their tent under the stars and went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night Holmes woke Watson up and said: “Watson, look up at the stars, and tell me what you see.”

Watson replied: “I see millions and millions of stars.”

Holmes said: “and what do you deduce from that?”

Watson replied: “Well, if there are millions of stars, and if even a few of those have planets, it’s quite likely there are some planets like earth out there. And if there are a few planets like earth out there, there might also be life.”

And Holmes said: “Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent.”

OK- I know its been going around but couldn't resist posting it.