Have you been famous in any context?
Yes.
Did you like it?
Some parts yes. Not having to solicit clients is nice. They just fall out of the sky trying to work with me. Still living off the notoriety from twenty years ago.
…why?
Fame is the closest identity to being a real life super hero. Consider whatever the fame is for, a talent, smarts, invention, idea, charitable act, infamy… consider that as your super power that few others possess to the degree that you do. To be recognized as the top of…whatever heap… is not only personally rewarding, and a tribute to all the hard work put into the super power… But it can also give inspiration to others to pursue the same, and make it even better. That’s how humans progress, evolve, and make life different than it was before.
This assumes the fame is for something achieved, and not accidentally lucked in to. But even lucky fame can inspire those who aren’t so lucky.
I think it the responsible thing to do. To pursue refinement in any endeavor. Set the bar as high as possible to demonstrate what is possible. Unfortunate that the public eye will usually foist unwarranted extra responsibility upon the super achiever, demanding fame on their terms. The public adores the giant, then cheers the giant killer to answer with greater deeds previously unimaginable. The species evolves. Humanity snails towards enlightenment. Sometimes.
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Hi @Rarebear… Funny I know a bit about your astronomy ties. And although we’ve had a number of private talks about it, I still envision you with a banjo. You might be famous for one thing. But my curiosity about you involves something completely different.