Rational Empathy

Chris Kluwe made a name for himself, not through his day job (punter in the NFL), but through his outspokenness for gay marriage. That prompted book publishers to ask him to write a book of essays, Beautiful Unique Sparkleponies, which is now out. I may get it (though may wait for paperback).

As part of the release of the book Kluwe did an interview with Ira Boudway of Bloomberg Businessweek. Here are some choice quotes:

I would also like people to pay attention to the idea of rational empathy, and that as a society, we are walking down a path that’s well-trodden throughout history. Every single human civilization has failed over time, and my belief is that it’s due to a lack of rational empathy, of understanding that if you don’t have equality in your society, the conflicts you breed (whether internally or externally) will eventually cause its collapse.

And when asked about his huge salary…

In an ideal world, entertainment would be regarded as what it is—entertainment—and wouldn’t be valued more heavily than education, than science, than environmental awareness. The list goes on. Right now, we are a nation of bread and circuses, and I would much rather live in a nation where I’m handsomely rewarded for my ability to educate young minds, or devise a better type of space station, rather than one where I’m paid millions of dollars to play a children’s game. I like playing football, but the path we’re currently on is ultimately a self-destructive one as a society. There is a place for entertainment, but not at the cost of our foundations.