I think I understand what you’re looking for, but I don’t think I’ve run into it myself. The people you mentioned were pioneers of their genres. I believe it would take a new genius to innovate to that degree again and I struggle to even imagine what genre could spawn anew that wouldn’t fall into the categories we have already.
From my perspective, these adults have recognized the importance of play and imagination in their happiness, and they have embraced it rather than adhere to the old ideal of what an adult is. Delight in what delights you.
Those are three of my favorites. I also enjoy Biographics and The Slow Mo Guys. Second one is more edutainment than education, but watching things in slow motion can be fascinating and edifying even when the event being recorded is plain silly.
There are also many RPG streaming shows with entertaining content on which to burn several hours per episode. Acquisitions Inc., Acquisitions Inc. The “C” Team, Dice Camera Action and Critical Role are my current favorites. I am also giving Matt Colville of MCDM’s new stream The Chain a chance. Critical Role in particular tends to exceed the average television show’s value. In my opinion, of course.
I believe that great authors exist and publish in the mode that you meant, but I don’t know if the signal will penetrate the noise in this modern age. It may take some time for us to recognize those with enduring works.
I wouldn’t classify science-fiction and fantasy as lacking insight. The best science-fiction and fantasy tackle human issues through a lens of entertaining ‘what if’. The Malazan Book of the Fallen has been particularly meaningful to me.
I admit that regular fiction also falls mostly flat for me. Both new and classical. I just don’t find fictional tales about reality all that edifying.
I think that’s because there are so many authors now. It becomes more difficult to discover those of great skill. If sci-fi is your fiction of choice, I recommend the series The Expanse by James SA Corey which starts with a book titled Leviathan Wakes. If fantasy also interests you, I recommend the series Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson which starts with a book titled Gardens of the Moon.
I don’t think that’s an “or” proposition. Find someone who you care enough about to want to be the best person you can be AND that loves you for who you are even when you fail to be your best self. And that is no doubt easier said than done in addition to oversimplified.
I imagine that people in first relationships that endure are people whose positions on the maturity spectrum remain approximately congruous to each other.
I think I understand what you’re looking for, but I don’t think I’ve run into it myself. The people you mentioned were pioneers of their genres. I believe it would take a new genius to innovate to that degree again and I struggle to even imagine what genre could spawn anew that wouldn’t fall into the categories we have already.