Dude, thanks for this phrase: it describes a phenomenon I have long noted but been unable to put a name to. It explains, for instance, why I don't love Lois McMaster Bujold as much as some other people do - I mean, I do really like her stuff, but it does get a bit wearing that all the characters we're meant to sympathize with are so awesome at what they do. They screw up, sure, and bad things do result, but they screw up like an annoying guy in a job interview: "My flaws? Well, sometimes I'm so focused on my task that I don't take proper care of myself, and neglect the people close to me! I don't always think through all the moral consequences of the shit I'm getting accomplished so well!" Nobody's screw-up is ever "Man, I just wasn't feeling super motivated that day."
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Dude, thanks for this phrase: it describes a phenomenon I have long noted but been unable to put a name to. It explains, for instance, why I don't love Lois McMaster Bujold as much as some other people do - I mean, I do really like her stuff, but it does get a bit wearing that all the characters we're meant to sympathize with are so awesome at what they do. They screw up, sure, and bad things do result, but they screw up like an annoying guy in a job interview: "My flaws? Well, sometimes I'm so focused on my task that I don't take proper care of myself, and neglect the people close to me! I don't always think through all the moral consequences of the shit I'm getting accomplished so well!" Nobody's screw-up is ever "Man, I just wasn't feeling super motivated that day."