Shirley Manson: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? — FLAPSS

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.

Shirley Manson

Scottish singer and songwriter; lead vocalist of Garbage

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Greta Thunberg, a brightly coloured little bird in a coalmine, desperately sounding the alarm for others while laying her childhood to waste.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person Greta Thunberg

Others on this question

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Ray Mears British woodsman and TV presenter

My wife, Ruth, because she holds the fort, making it possible for me to do what I do.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2016 source ↗

Pope Francis, who left the Vatican to wash the feet of non-believers.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

My wife, all those who contribute something of beauty, and scientists.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2026 source ↗

Alison Goldfrapp English musician and record producer

Anyone who is a carer.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 May 2010 source ↗

More from Shirley Manson

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Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

My dog’s trust in me.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

Myself. I have never been harder on anyone else.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A ballerina. I remain rather disappointed that I became a rock star instead.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

Question What fills you with the most pride? Identity & self

It was such a beautiful summer’s night and I had pink hair and my band was doing really well and my mum was there, my mum was still alive. It was very magical for me and to get the honour of my city, to be blessed by their respect, it was delicious.

Recorded Niall Doherty, Louder feature interview, Louder (Classic Rock), 23 June 2024 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Climate change. That is the single most important calamity in the making that I obsess over.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

I don’t care if I am remembered or not.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 May 2022 source ↗

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