Admiration for an Asshole

Two weeks ago, the Hubble Telescope completed 25 years in space. A remarkable feat, considering it was built using 1980’s technology, and has to contend with being hurled across space at 27,000kph, constantly being blasted with solar flares, cosmic rays and space debris. The Hubble is, without a shadow of doubt, the finest piece of engineering and human endeavor of the 21^st century.

It honors Edwin Hubble, a man without a shadow of doubt, was among the greatest scientific minds of the 20^th century. Prior to his discoveries, the prevailing scientific consensus was that the universe consisted of just one galaxy, ours - The Milky Way. He expanded our view of the universe beyond our galaxy; what were once considered nebulae within our galaxy, were in fact distant galaxies themselves.

He also confirmed what is now known as the Hubble Law; the further a galaxy is away, the faster the galaxy is flying away from us. It has become the most cited work in the Big Bang model of the universe. He was also responsible for the Hubble Constant, a cornerstone in estimating the size and age of the universe. The contributions of Edwin Hubble to science have forever changed our view of the universe, and consequently our place in it. His scientific mind was unparalleled, and his contributions eternal.

Edwin Hubble was also a phenomenal racist.

Which made me wonder, why did the people at NASA name the most popular manmade object in orbit - baring the ISS - after such a man? Does not honoring the man condone his beliefs or give the appearance of doing so?

And then Salman Khan happened.

Before I go any further, quick disclaimer: I am in no way a diehard Sallu fan. Nor am I a hater. He is the closest thing India has to a superhero. I don’t watch his movies, but I understand his appeal. I don’t find his movies to be particularly good, but I understand why his movies work. Unlike SRK movies, which are abominations.

Truth be told, the Facebook and media reaction to the trial and everything around it has been absolutely fascinating, and across the spectrum. You have dedicated Sallu fans who swear by his philanthropy to be some sort of Get Out of Jail Free card, ignoring the fact that he did run over poor folk with his car while driving drunk, allegedly intimidated a key witness, and definitely lied in court, trying to shift blame on his driver. There are, as usual, ones who take glee and derive a delightful sense of schadenfreude on the procession of things. Then, there is absolute disdain for him, and elite such as him, for toying with the justice system. On Facebook, this disdain is directed towards people who enjoy Salman Khan movies, regardless if they feel that the man should be punished for his crime or not. But I am not here to talk about the Indian legal system, privilege, inequality or hypocrisy.

I am here to ask you this,

How do you come to terms with admiration for an assholes art?

If Salman Khan movies aren’t to your liking, then let’s try Big Bang Theory. I believe Mayim Bialik is an exceptionally beautiful, talented, funny and intelligent woman. But her support for the IDF makes me feel uneasy whenever I laugh at her jokes.

If not Israeli atrocities against the people of Gaza, then how about Charlie Sheen? The guy is the epitome of asshole. He has a history of assaulting women. But Two and a Half Men was best with him in it, and Ashton Kutcher just sucks.

If not physical assault, how about pedophilia? Roman Polanski is among the finest filmmakers alive. Maybe coz he is European. But he was also arrested for the sexual assault for a 13 year old. Maybe coz he is Eur…..never mind.

Their transgressions or personal beliefs do not take anything away from their art or talent or contributions. They are not any less of an actor, or artist, or director, or scientist, just because they erred or made choices different that yours. But what does it say about a person who happens to enjoy their work? Does enjoying Wagner’s music make one a Nazi sympathizer? Does appreciating Salman Khan as an artist HAVE to mean you are against his incarceration? Does naming your telescope Hubble make you condone racism?

So I ask again, how do you come to terms with admiration for an assholes art?

Often, I feel that the asshole can shove their art up where the sun don't shine. I shall have nothing to do with them. Depriving myself of entertainment or enlightenment in exchange for a clear moral conscience is a small price to pay. But I quickly get off my moral high horse the minute Big Bang Theory starts playing. Another, slightly better way to go about it is something a friend of mine mentioned,

“I don't like her or dislike her. I don't even know Mayim Bialik. I know Amy. I always try and separate the personal lives of these artists, actors, scientists etc., from the work they do. Maybe it is turning a blind eye. Must say, it doesn’t always work.”

I think NASA named the telescope Hubble because scientific inquiry and progress supersedes human flaws. Yes, the man was deeply flawed, as are we all. But let’s come to terms with that, and celebrate his contributions to science. These men and women are midgets compared to the art they produce. The tree maybe ugly, but by their fruits shall they be judged.