GeniesLoki

You know the phenomenon of male characters who you absolutely should not identify because they're awful people who nevertheless a lot of men identify with? e.g. James Bond, Rick (of Rick and Morty), Rorschach. I think I figured out why this is and oh no.

People (men) identify with them because they're fearless and powerful. It's probably easier to identify with a fearless and powerful figure who is somewhat cruel and arrogant than with a one dimensional boy scout who is perfectly virtuous.

ie, I don't think I disagree with you, but you seem to be making this unnecessarily complicated.

I don't think "fearless and powerful" accurately describes Rick. The man's a train wreck. Also I don't really care whether you think I'm making things unnecessarily complicated. The detail is useful for me.

He is a trainwreck, but a fearless and powerful one. He always has insufferable IDGAF energy and always saves the day. There is something appealing about the Machiavellian energy of these characters, but I don't think I agree with your appraisal.

These characters are navigating dangerous situations with finesse - if you took away that totally fictitious, superhuman level of ability, I don't think they'd hold up so well. So the things that make them appealing are not actually things that ordinary guys can emulate that wel