Why do we root for the antiheroes?

Walter White, Light Yagami, Lucifer Morningstar, Doctor Frankenstein... It seems to be natural to root for the bad guys, and perhaps even more natural for rationalists.

“I must confess I have always had some sympathy with villains. Heroism makes fine entertainment but sooner or later someone has to get things done.” - Bayaz, Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy.

I think this is the reason, at least for me. Villains (particularly the most beloved villains) are agentic. They know what they want and they attempt to obtain it through their own actions. Sometimes those actions are even reasonable.

This is notable because it's usually untrue of heroes. Heroes tend to be called to adventure, accepting a goal thrust upon them by circumstances or a bearded stranger or both. Then they pursue it, but often alongside a handful of other eclectic goals [...]

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First published:
February 22nd, 2024

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/k5BCFx3DYeXF3fgo3/the-byronic-hero-always-loses

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

“The Byronic Hero Always Loses” by Cole Wyeth

LessWrong (30+ Karma)