Entertainment Has Value

Shaan Puri and Sam Parr discuss their perspective on entertainment and the value it brings to people's lives, particularly defending activities that some might dismiss as frivolous or pseudoscience.

• Entertainment Has Inherent Value:

  • Not everything needs to "save the world"
  • Simple entertainment can provide necessary happiness
  • People need ways to decompress after work

• Critique of VC Culture:

  • Strong criticism of "virtue signaling" by VCs
  • Frustration with investors who publicly shame others for funding entertainment
  • Belief that moral grandstanding is worse than cancel culture

• Defense of Personal Choice:

  • People should be free to find joy in their preferred entertainment
  • Example: A mom in Missouri deserving happiness through soap operas or horoscopes
  • Not everything needs deep meaning or world-changing impact

• Advocacy for Open-Mindedness:

  • People criticizing others' choices often lose sight of fundamental open-mindedness
  • Different beliefs and actions should be respected
  • Criticism of those who demonize others for different viewpoints

• Business Perspective:

  • Recognition that self-focused content (like personality tests) can be highly engaging
  • Understanding that people's interest in themselves drives engagement
  • Acknowledgment that while something might be "bullshit," it can still provide value to users

The speakers emphasize that while they might personally view certain forms of entertainment as invalid (like horoscopes or aspects of religion), they defend people's right to find value in them and criticize those who shame others for providing or consuming such content.