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Who's your favourite example of a prosocial fella *living today*?

I was just having this chat with someone around how many toxic figures exist in mainstream media, and how much a lot of messaging for young fellows seems to reduce to "don't be like that".

Then folks name examples of wonderful, prosocial fellas from other eras... but who's around *now*, doing the great work of modelling warmth, stability, open-mindedness, and constructive communal action for teens and young men?

@MLClark

Matthew Mercer. He's the DM for the most popular D&D actual play show--which also now has a successful animated series--Critical Role.

Actually, all of the guys on the show are wonderful, in their own ways--including how they interact with each other and with the women on the show.

@MLClark

Matt is creative and vulnerable. He's open about his personal insecurities, soft-hearted, and yet shows confidence in his abilities.

Sam is an award winning animation director who is goofy and outrageous. He can be too much, but he also always supports his friends...and he has pulled out the most heartbreaking scenes.

Liam is "art dad", Sam's best friend. He's humble without being a doormat, and always up for a challenge and for learning something new.

...cont

@MLClark

Taliesin was a child star who grew up in L.A. He's a bit punk, a bit goth, and comes up with the most creative characters. Tal shows that one person can be many things, while always being himself.

And then there's Travis. He's the jock. His wife, also on the show, is a bit of a rock star in the voice acting world. He never minds that she overshadows him. He is very grounded... and also really easy to scare.

What's more the guys all hug, cuddle, and openly express affection.

@tyghebright

HOW have I not seen this. 😅 Will watch an episode when I can. Thank you, Tyghe!

@MLClark

It's a lot... as the episodes of the live show average around 4 hours, but you can put it on in the background. They're on YouTube. You could start with Campaign 1 or 2. (I don't recommend starting with Campaign 3, as there's a lot of references to the other campaigns.)

But there are also some fun one-shots: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1t

@MLClark Levar Burton, Malala Yousafzai (do they have to be fellas?), Hasan Minhaj, Greta Thunberg, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barack and Michelle Obama

@b4cks4w

They do have to be fellas in this case. :)

Men should also be inspired by women, but I'm speaking specifically to young fellas whose options are essentially be (or don't be) like Tate/Peterson/Vance/Musk etc in public discourse. It helps to be able to visualize other masculinities.

(Also, Hasan Minhaj got himself into a couple of deep scandals, one around treatment of members of staff for his show, that is unfortunately a real downer.)

@MLClark oh bummer about Hasan. I (obviously) don't much attention to entertainment-type people.

@b4cks4w

That is a very sensible position! Saves a lot of unnecessary angst!

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