Remember the classic (1978-91) hit TV show, Dallas–and its mega-popular villain, J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman)? J.R. did a lot of really nasty things to a lot of people.
And in real life, there were actually adult human beings who… well, who wanted to be like him.
I suppose it could be worse. Someone might want to be like Hillary Clinton. But we’re talking adults here, and adults are supposed to be past that kind of thing.
And we’re also talking pop culture “entertainment”–a slow-acting but exceedingly powerful toxin.
Unless it’s our sleazy culture that generates our sleazy entertainment. Could we be talking about a vicious circle here?