I wrote this on fedi a while back, but I think it bears re-posting here. I’m thinking I may do some more cross-pollination between here and fedi in the future, so here’s what I said about heroes, and David Lynch in particular.
It’s important to be skeptical of your heroes, right? This is the lesson of Neil Gaiman. But like Neil Gaiman was always kind of a sketchy edgy sort of hero, wasn’t he? Maybe hindsight is 20/20 but looking back at his career there’s a lot that’s just… off.
However there are some people, and it seems like Ursula LeGuin comes up often, that are just such good wholesome figures. And don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that nana LeGuin had her foibles and was a total asshole to someone or even many people at some point in her life. But I think she is and will be remembered as a powerful force for good, a historic person who used her powers to lift up those around her.
Another of the people that I think will be shown by history to be someone worthy of respect and honor forever is David Lynch. I just love him so much, and every time I see and read stuff about him and his life I just smile so much. Which is weird considering how visceral and jarring most of his work turns out to be.
I just can’t imagine anyone coming out with an “I hate David Lynch” story. Like sure, his movies and whatever may not be to everyone’s liking, but I think everyone can agree that he was kind and thoughtful and considerate and a consummate professional. This video about his acting career is just such an eye-opener, the man is a saint. A SAINT I tell you.