> “The ultimate minimalist is a hermit, a recluse, or a monk,” he says. “And to me, that’s not gonna change the world.”

chinese historical/wuxia dramas often heavily feature taoist/buddhist “grandmasters”, who typically have (near-)superhuman abilities (from years of meditation on enlightenment, presumably). yet they’re reluctant to use those abilities because they also strive for detachment from the world and its base human emotions (for some reason that’s required to reach immortality).

the tension is often between allowing destiny to unfold without interference and staying on the path to enlightenment, or defying fate and risking heaven’s wrath. there are adverse consequences either way and it’s a test of character which way one chooses.