Life C: you understand who you are; your principles; what makes you happy and brings you satisfaction. You die in peace without ever knowing or caring what others thought of you before or after death.
B. Self-inspired ratchet, killer taste, and an infinite muse. You hew to your aesthetic, stay faithful to the craft, and (apparently) execute. What's not to like?
The first wins because they go to the grave feeling content and validated. The second may be more valuable because they contribute something lasting that transcends these petty things, but they may die depressed that the world won’t make use of their work, and so I don’t think they would say they “won” in their last words.
I’m not sure this should be framed as a winner/loser argument. Everyone is different, every persons story is different.
That said, person B is likeable and I would prefer to live their life.
Person A seeks fame and glory at whatever cost, and it sounds a lot like contemporary SV startup entrepreneurs……
Life A but understand later after billion savings to life B.
"The last will be first, and the first will be last"