Missing — and Reviving — Cultural Touchstones

I am enjoying a slew of MasterClass lessons in snackable portions: Doris Kearns Goodwin waxing on presidential leadership, Howard Shultz on building a business, Anna Wintour on carrying out a creative vision, Misty Copeland detailing the fundamentals of ballet, and many more. True masters at work and instantly identifiable.

While watching, it occurs to me that widely revered cultural icons like these are mostly swallowed in our fractious politics and fragmented media environment.

Sports figures were the exception — but many are now tangled up in politics and social issues. Special events, too, don’t have the same widespread appeal. Today’s Olympics aren’t uniting. In recent years, the Oscars have divided Americans with a dearth of diversity and cinema’s lost luster. Many stars now take the spotlight on TikTok, Instagram, or one of a myriad streaming services — all not seen by a majority. The publishing market is sliced and diced to the point that fewer authors and titles are beloved household names.  

What is lost when we don’t connect over culture — and some figures we do agree on are villainized, e.g., the head of Facebook? I see a lot lost: joy, sparkling conversations, inspiration to persevere, hope for what’s possible. 

With America’s culture war raging for years — now morphing into cancel culture, emerging from the conflict will be difficult. It’s up to all of us to lift up the parts of culture that bring us together, celebrate meaningful lives, build a better world.

MasterClass, with its showcase of inspirational icons teaching craft, offers a step in the right direction.