I regularly watch Intentionally Blank podcast by Brandon Sanderson and his friend. 6 months ago they posted an episode titled "Best Living Fantasy Authors — Ep. 114 of Intentionally Blank" - timecoded link https://youtu.be/MsO7SdRGbek?t=1013
I really, really like Brandon as a person, but this disappointed me a lot on so many levels. I was very angry, but decided to swallow it. Half a year later and it still gets me from time to time.
Today I wrote a reply to that episode. Here it is:
Response to "Best Living Fantasy Authors — Ep. 114 of Intentionally Blank"
Pathetic cowards.
You are judging J.K. Rowling not by her merit, but by reputation. Harry Potter is a phenomenal artistic and cultural achievement. So no matter what she produces after, it will never make her less of a skilled, brilliant and genius author. And I read The Ickabog and The Christmas Pig, they are very good, thank you very much. Versatility is there.
“Life was so much harder, but potentially so much more fulfilling, when you found the courage to choose.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer
You chose cowardice.
“You fix it, and you fly. You find a way, and you defy them. For those of us who don't have the courage.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Skyward
You have an opportunity and platform to stand for something for us, instead you felt for evil ideology. I think you know about it too little in your fantasy La La Land.
“More wars are lost to lack of information than are lost to lack of courage.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Rhythm of War
If you knew the right information, you wouldn't be so cowardly. So you don't have both.
“As a kid, I’d have said that courage destroys fear. Now, I’d have said that fear is what lets us be able to be courageous.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Defiant
That's a good one after the previous. Get your fears in order, you coward.
Conclusion.
Learn about totalitarianism, communism/marxism, watch lectures, read books by Yuri Bezmenov, watch Ryan Chapman channel, read What's our problem by Tim Urban, listen to "The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling", get your information and fears in order and be brave.
P.S. Don't be so worried about your legacy, worry about the living people, present and the truth. And maybe you'll have a good one naturally.
I want to post it somewhere, so Brandon would see it, but don't know where yet. Any ideas? YouTube comment section is no go, because it is highly censored, and my comments get shadowbanned all the time.