Based upon the number of “hits” this site has received recently from searches for the name of a person recently in the news along with terms that describe characteristics of their personal life or appearance, there are a lot of people who feel a need to understand this person’s life. If you wish any information on that subject, this is not the place. Just to clarify, I do not know the person. I suspect this site received the “hits” because I made passing reference to them in a post. By the way, if I did know them, or had any personal knowledge to share, I wouldn’t tell you.
But that is not what I wish to discuss — Why on earth do so many people need to concern themselves with public individuals in ways that have nothing to do with the reason for the individual’s notoriety? Is it part of popular culture’s fixation with people’s physical appearance? Is there some need to find flaws in people receiving public attention so that people can feel better about themselves? We have magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store, shows on TV, Internet sites, all totally devoted to the smallest details of the lives of famous people, people in the news, people that have made themselves the center of attention. And these outlets discuss issues and details that have nothing to do with any accomplishments of these people.
Our society is clearly driven by hero worship. I guess this is nothing new. Greece had Hercules, Achilles, and Odysseus. Rome had its gladiators. The Middle Ages had Beowulf and Roland. The United States and England in World War II had Churchill, Eisenhower, and MacArthur. But also Crosby, Grable, and Benny. Today we have Beckham, Brees, Brangelina, GaGa. I have to admit, I can fully understand admiration for a athlete, actor, or singer’s when they are performing at their best. For that matter, I can even admit to a passing interest in what costume Lady GaGa has come up with this time, she certainly is inventive. But why is what they think about global warming of any import? Why do any of us care what they wear when they take their kids to play in the park. And just why the hell do we care how long someone’s clitoris happens to be?
I don’t get it.
Is Still Here
Well said! Perhaps what drives this is a desire to see the lives of the privileged brought low to make us feel better about the inadequacies in our lives? I find it disgusting. We so often forget that the famous are not just our personal property as fans, but are actually HUMAN BEINGS! It is the ultimate escapism, to dehumanize celebrities so thoroughly. When we finally begin to see them as genuine people, I believe we will once again begin to see our own lives as equally genuine. If we do this, we will be able to live to the fullest, take responsibility for the choices we make, and reach out to others with open hands and hearts.