Thanks to a 12-minute video interview with The Guardian, the world has finally gotten a good look at Edward Snowden, the former CIA employee who leaked major national security secrets—and they like what they see.
“I know this is far beyond the point and making light of the situation, but Edward Snowden can blow my whistle,” one particularly ribald Twitter user proclaimed. (#ifyouknowwhatimean)
And there’s more where that came from. Within hours of his big reveal on Sunday, the 29-year-old Snowden became somewhat of an Internet sex symbol. Social-media users are gushing over his “Geek Hot” appeal, his five o’clock shadow, his rebel swagger. An abundance of memes, a Tumblr page dedicated to his hotness, and even “Team Edward” and “Team Snowden” T-shirts are now making the rounds online. “I’d move to Hong Kong to be with him,” another Twitter user effused, referencing Snowden’s hideout. Even Bret Easton Ellis was practically salivating: “Edward Snowden is one of the more attractive people I’ve seen this week,” the author tweeted.