In the wake of the Moss wars, your ayatollah received this excellent e-mail from one reader:

“Thank you for prompting the interesting discussion of role models. Such discussion makes it sound as if the anwer to the question of role model is either she is or isn’t. In raising our four children, we talk about the good and bad qualities of every person, including celebrity role models — such as “So-and-so is sure a great actress and does a lot
for charities but has certainly made a mess of her personal life, what with her four divorces.” or “I really enjoy So-and-so’s music, although he could probably do just as well if he’d turn down the profanity and get into rehab.” (amalgamations and not real people).
That leads to discussions about consequences for actions and lets children weigh for themselves what is important in life. My children, at least, think an intact, functioning family is a far more significant marker of success than a professional sports fortune.
I must admit I’ve never understood role model worship. Maybe I am cynical, but I never believed any human being was so good that I should model my every action after him or her without any consideration of the morality of said action. I have often thought that people who relied on remote role models for their moral compass must not have the caring family and friends I had who served that purpose.”

Of course, not everyone has the advantage of such a well-grounded family, but the point is very well made.