Hi there! I admire the imaginative thinking surrounding Michael from Vsauce's background, but it's crucial to clarify that he couldn't have been old enough to have fought in the Vietnam War. Let's delve a bit deeper into this to address the misconception. First and foremost, Michael Stevens was born on January 23, 1986. The Vietnam War officially concluded on April 30, 1975, which places him more than a decade after the war ended. Given the age requirements for military service, even if we consider the youngest possible age at which he could have fought, which is 18, he would still have been born in 1967, several years after the war came to a close. It's important to note that the United States generally drafted or allowed individuals to enlist in the military at the age of 18 during the Vietnam War era. The draft lottery, which was used to conscript young men into the military, only included birthdates between 1944 and 1950. Michael's birthdate falls far outside these parameters, making it impossible for him to have been drafted or enlisted. Michael's educational and career path also provides strong evidence that he could not have served in the Vietnam War. He attended the University of Chicago, which is not indicative of someone who took part in a war during their early adulthood. After completing his studies, he worked as a copywriter and graphic designer before embarking on his career as a full-time content creator. This career trajectory points to someone from a different generation and life experience than a Vietnam War veteran. Furthermore, Michael started the Vsauce channel in 2010, at the age of 24. If he had served in the Vietnam War, he would not have been able to start his channel at that time. The internet, and specifically RU-vid, did not exist during the Vietnam War era, further debunking the idea that Michael could have been a content creator during that time. Lastly, Michael's youthful appearance is a clear indicator that he is not old enough to have been a Vietnam War veteran. He looks like someone from a younger generation, which aligns perfectly with his actual birthdate in 1986.While it's an entertaining thought experiment, the timeline and historical context simply do not match up with the reality of Michael's life. He is, without a doubt, too young to have participated in the Vietnam War.
