Interesting viewpoint. I feel that much of my pleasure in life comes in the challenges, figuring out how a problem can be solved or tackling a difficult obstacle from which other’s shy away. I think a certain amount enjoyment is also derived from the ‘knowing’ and recognizing what you know - for me, this generally involves using some obscure, grad school knowledge four years later in my job.

I think life would be easier if we were more like Tolkien and not so much contemplating or lamenting our issues and becoming frustrated with situtations as exploring solutions. I imagine that people like Redford believe that making finite statements about politics is activism. In a way, I forgive them their ignorance. American society generally reveres entertainers above all others and I imagine it’s incredibly hard not to believe your own hype after a number of years.