At this point I assume that literally anyone with some modicum of success is a secret nazi/pederast/abuser… . The ones whom we uplift because they’re wholesome simply have better PR (or luck) that they haven’t been found out yet.
There are a bare handful that are genuinely great people. Fred Rogers, Dolly Parton, Alex Trebek, and Keanu Reeves (so far at least) all come to mind. Still not perfect people, but no major scandals and they were/are generally a great influence.
It’s almost unfortunate, because it gets your hopes up for more.
I knew Edgar Allan Poe was pro-slavery before I read any of his work.
I knew Ian Fleming was a racist.
It’s completely possible to separate the artist from the work.
Also, if you like Gaiman, acquaint yourself with his muse, Tanith Lee. Gaiman stole most of his best ideas and a lot of his writing style from her.
Stop idolizing famous people…
As a human gains power, the brain suppresses the empathy centers and loses the ability to consider the harm they do to others. Getting rich, famous or powerful makes your brain more like the brain of a psychopath.
All heroes are monsters.
This is exactly why a society has to regulate and progressively tax wealth which is the main source of power. The then need to use what they collect to have the best general experience for the populace. education, healthcare, public spaces, minimum income.
