Part 12/14:
A recurring theme was the importance of respecting literary and cinematic foundations. The panelists declared that classics like Lord of the Rings should not be dismissed based on modern ideological arguments. They defended Tolkien’s work, emphasizing nuances and rejecting claims of racism or cultural insensitivity, which they argue are modern misinterpretations used for virtue signaling.
They contrasted this with the tendency of universities and media to “deconstruct” cultural icons—undermining their legacy by rewriting their meaning or national origins. The importance of focusing on good storytelling and strong characters was stressed over political correctness or virtue-driven narratives.