Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
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Notes -
Broad question:
Who is worth rooting for?
I mean, what humans alive right now represent "the best of humanity" without some laundry list of skeletons in their closet.
Someone who has talent, charisma and, critically, an unimpeachable moral character. A 'wholesome' sheen is optional but not necessary.
To compare and contrast, the models (limiting it to celebrities) I have in my head when I think of this are guys like Mr. Rogers, Dolly Parton, Weird Al Yankovic, Steve Irwin, Robin Williams, and maybe Keanu Reeves.
And contrasting examples where they cultivated but didn't live up to the image: Billy Cosby, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Smith, Ashton Kutcher. (I'm not pretending their behaviors are equivalent, mind).
I've talked in the past about how so many 'role models' failed to live up to their hype. Here, though, I'm talking about something even more basic. Not necessarily someone you want to be like but someone who you want to see succeed because the virtue of their goals and their character is so 'pure' that its inherently inspiring.
Someone who makes you think "I want this guy to do well, I want him to win, I want him to overcome every single obstacle he ever encounters" because that person's success would restore your faith in humanity as a whole.
This question partially inspired by all the memes around PewDiePie literally winning at life and nobody can level an actual critique of his character. Yes, we all know about the bridge incident, that's almost the proof positive that he'd stored up such large reserves of goodwill that people implicitly understand he's a heckin' decent human being. Jontron also seems to have his his happy ending. Isaac Arthur is one for me, personally, but for my more narrow interests.
Is there anyone currently coming up through the ranks that seems to represent this semi-heroic archetype?
First person that comes to mind is Thomas Massie. The guy resonates with me on many levels and I do see him as a role model. His life story of making it as a successful electrical engineer, going back to homesteading a piece of land with an off-grid house he built himself and being one of the few politicians that I know of that seems to genuinely not have sacrificed his personal integrity.
Beyond that I would say Terence Tao absolutely deserves any and all recognition. But honestly, picking a celebrity, I have a bit of trouble. I guess gut feeling I'll also pick Whitney Webb as one of the best reporters on Epstein and his networks.
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