There’s a lot of room for cultural interpretation of “one of my main goals in life”. Some will take this as “one of my top-3 far-mode indicators of success”, some will take it as “this is at least somewhat important to me”. I’d be shocked if many US intellectuals said “yes” to this, as they’re likely to interpret it the first way, and it’s low-status compared to having an impact or making your own way. And I’d be shocked if many people (a majority, but nowhere near unanimity—many people are far more aware than in previous generations of the flaws of their elders) wouldn’t say “yes” if it were framed the second way.
There’s a lot of room for cultural interpretation of “one of my main goals in life”. Some will take this as “one of my top-3 far-mode indicators of success”, some will take it as “this is at least somewhat important to me”. I’d be shocked if many US intellectuals said “yes” to this, as they’re likely to interpret it the first way, and it’s low-status compared to having an impact or making your own way. And I’d be shocked if many people (a majority, but nowhere near unanimity—many people are far more aware than in previous generations of the flaws of their elders) wouldn’t say “yes” if it were framed the second way.