No arguments that all of those were deeply divisive. I think some of that has been a trend, though — one which has really flowered in 2016.

I've been thinking about this issue recently. I mean, I wasn't around for the things you mention, nor even the 1960s, but 2016 America still seems divided to me in some novel ways.

Good interview. Noah's insightful. I especially appreciated this observation: "I don’t understand how people think you can spend this much time
tearing people apart and then not expect that to still be in effect
after the election is done."

Lion Voltron, I assume. Because GTFO with that spaceship garbage.

Some may genuinely like the original Ghostbusters based on its merits, others may genuinely dislike it for lack of the same. You also have those besotted by nostalgia and those who find it trendy to dislike anything otherwise popular. That's the way of the world.

This comment thread is truly a happening.

As a brief counterpoint, oftentimes actors will create an identity for the characters they portray which go beyond what makes it into scripts (or what makes it from the script onto film or stage).

I've followed your discussion with Unspeakable Axe, and I appreciate both of your perspectives — and the courteousness with which you've shared them.

Thank you for repaying my efforts with a thoughtful answer. I appreciate it.

Did the state of Israel have to be created where it was? Surely not. Very few things that people decide upon *have* to be the way that they are; but sometimes we can understand the reasoning employed by others — even if we disagree with their ultimate decision — if we are open to trying to see things from another…

Personally I'm not a big fan of nationalism, generally speaking. BUT. In historical context, I find it hard to fault Jews wanting their own state, and especially during the times which led to the creation of Israel.

Fine. Stop Billings, MT.

Most college sports aren't profitable, I do believe. But moneys get rerouted to them for the purpose of providing sports for people beyond the few who excel at the money-making ones. I don't know. I don't begrudge, say, women who want to play water polo (not a huge moneymaker; not a lot of merch) the opportunity to do…

Yeah, I think that's a fine development. I think there should be a place for people who treat sports as a hobby, or a healthy and enjoyable part of a well-rounded life (the argument for sports as a part of a general education), but also a place for those who want to pursue it more seriously, or for professional…

So my background is almost exclusively academic as opposed to athletic, and growing up I was partial to the idea that college is (primarily at least, if not exclusively) for academic education.

I hear you (I was smartest in my class, and worst at sports, for years — in the 80s!; I've had more than my share of abuse), but I don't think that being derided by popular culture in the past (or present) means that we should turn around and take shots at others.

Of course you're right: a sports team winning won't solve a city's worth of problems, which are complex, run deep, and are rooted in a myriad of causes…

I like your idea. It reminds me of blitz ball from Final Fantasy X… which, I don't think was a very popular part of that game, but I liked it!

A distraction from the reality around us? Sports *are* a part of the reality around us. Do you mean that they distract from some thing more important? Perhaps that's true for some, depending on how we judge "importance," though I doubt it's necessarily more the case than with movies, books, music, hanging out with…

I know (or think, or hope :) ) that you're kidding, but I think that's the purpose those kinds of labels actually serve — unconsciously, at least. They help us dehumanize.