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The Duality of Xan

It also strengthens this bizarre impression that Musk is the "cool" billionnaire. No one names stuff after Bezos or Branson in fiction. But somehow, the idea that Musk is worthy of mention just entered popular consciousness and hasn't left. It's likely this has helped to embolden his own horrifically large ego and his legion of fawning fanboys.

8 comments
The Duality of Xan

Idolising people is never a good idea. Idolising billionaires even less so.

The Duality of Xan

@anders_von_hadern With this particular "idol", it seems all you need to to is give him enough rope and he'll do it himself.

FediThing

@XanIndigo

Especially people who are still alive, you have no idea what they will do or become.

Or what they have already done and you didn't know about.

The Duality of Xan

@FediThing Even those who aren't, honestly. People are people. They're messy and complicated. You can celebrate the accomplishments of some, sure, but hero worship is always a bad move.

FediThing

@XanIndigo

Agreed. Even accomplishments can be unclear with perspective.

The invention of the steam engine was a great breakthrough but if we don't tackle global warming it may be seen as taking us down a bad path.

I guess lesson is not to idolise anything, except maybe very general principles.

Dubiago 💫

@XanIndigo And idolizing politicians I'd put on the same level as the billionaires.

The Duality of Xan

@dubiago Ultimately, I think it ends up as much the same thing. It’s worth noticing that every billionaire with a large enough collection of fans ends up trying to influence government policy. Eventually the rich all try to become oligarchs.

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