@Maenad @gzt Yeah, I think that may be why it's such a problem with Rick, as he appeals to the demographic least taught to think critically about this stuff.

@ruth @gzt for the record, I don't think the show creators are innocent in this - while the show has some good points and a lot of depth, they certainly make it easy to be a lazy viewer/find the comedy in Rick's more monstrous actions.

@Maenad @ruth It's a little disappointing because some of Harmon's other work balances that cynical nihilism vs there's something good about the world somewhat acceptably - eg Winger vs Abed in Community. "I like liking things."

@ruth @Maenad Especially since that kind of sarcastic nihilism is attractive to teens and it's only a slight turn from a sort of cynicism that we wouldn't really object to (it's problematic but it's a free country).

@Maenad @ruth yeah, and it's good for kids to start out with media that has protagonists who are actually good as well to develop their moral sentiments before introducing them to more complicated characters that you have to judge.