The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Others on this question

View all 407 →
Patricia Hodge English actress
The Queen. Her like has not been seen before and I doubt it will ever be again.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 September 2018 source ↗
Charlie Munger Vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, 1978–2023
John Wooden, when he was the number one basketball coach in the world. He just said to the bottom five players, “You don't get to play. You're sparring partners.” The top seven did all the playing.
Recorded USC Gould School of Law commencement, 2007, Speakola, 2007 source ↗

More from Patti Smith

View profile →
Question What counsel would you give your twenty-year-old self — and what should they ignore? Time & hindsight
Build a good name. Keep your name clean. Don’t make compromises. Don’t worry about making a bunch of money or being successful. Be concerned about doing good work and protect your work. […] Protect your work and if you build a good name, eventually that name will be its own currency.
Recorded Christian Lund, Louisiana Literature festival, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 24 August 2012, Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 24 August 2012 source ↗

More on values & belief

Also answered this

Ann Patchett, Elmore Leonard, Jennifer Egan, Anne Enright, Julian Clary, Shirley Hughes

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

Report this answer