This is pretty random, but we just watched "Stranger than Fiction" and I was thinking, if we are living in a literary sim, who would the foil to DT be? The best I could come up with is PG.
Both benefitted greatly from and became masters of social media BUT:
- DT contributed nothing to Twitter
- PG invented/funded/advised Reddit and HN (and even coded the latter)
Both billionaires BUT:
- DT inherited his wealth and barely kept it via screwing over other people
- PG accumulated his wealth through making things and helping others
Both intelligent BUT:
- DT lies prolifically and avoids thinking about people or issues more than skin deep
- PG spends months critically trying to write true essays
Both hugely successful BUT:
- DT has an insatiable desire for fame and adoration
- PG leaves YC to go live quietly in the countryside
Both benefitted greatly from and became masters of social media BUT:
- DT contributed nothing to Twitter
- PG invented/funded/advised Reddit and HN (and even coded the latter)
Both billionaires BUT:
- DT inherited his wealth and barely kept it via screwing over other people
- PG accumulated his wealth through making things and helping others
Both intelligent BUT:
- DT lies prolifically and avoids thinking about people or issues more than skin deep
- PG spends months critically trying to write true essays
Both hugely successful BUT:
- DT has an insatiable desire for fame and adoration
- PG leaves YC to go live quietly in the countryside