Have you noticed how everything today seems to gravitate around so-called 'celebrities'? Pop stars, movie idols, footballers, catwalk models etc. all command mega buck salaries, and dominate the storylines in many newspapers and tv news shows - not to mention the new breed of magazine dedicated solely to ogling the lives of the rich and glamorous. Posh & Becks latest fashion statement is far more headline grabbing than almost any 'real' news item, short of the latest terrorist attack! Every other tv show is a vehicle for the latest batch of b-list celebs to boost their image, plug their latest book/record and generally flaunt their glamorous (but often virtually talent-free) personality before the adoring public - and top up their flagging bank balance into the bargain! And then there's all the would-be celebrities; ordinary men and women desparate to have their 5 minutes of fame and, hopefully, secure themselves a big break into fame and fortune; quiz shows, 'reality tv', 'docu-soaps' all have us glued to the small screen, chuckling at the wannabes latest gaffs, and secretly knowing we could do so much better... and then how much newspaper footage gets wasted on the 'will they / won't they' sex lives of the latest Big Brother 'couple'!
It seems clear to me, fame is the new religion, glamour the latest opiate of the people; the Romans had bread and circusses, we have 'Pop Idol' and 'Big Brother'! All most people seem to desire from life is to break into the limelight and secure a place in the public gaze; or if we can't do it ourselves, we do it vicariously by focussing on the life of some other 'poor boy made good'. The 'celebs' are the new gods, and we, the viewing public, the worshippers at their altar! And as for the money to be made from such parasitic pursuits ... how many starving kids in Africa could be fed on the fees for one chat show appearance by the latest pop superstar, not to mention the soccer hero's weekly pay check! What has happened to the values of a society which pays some guy vastly more to kick a ball around for 90 minutes a week than it pays a Junior doctor to work 70hrs saving the lives of sick and dying folk in hospital?
Aaaargh!
Anthony
It seems clear to me, fame is the new religion, glamour the latest opiate of the people; the Romans had bread and circusses, we have 'Pop Idol' and 'Big Brother'! All most people seem to desire from life is to break into the limelight and secure a place in the public gaze; or if we can't do it ourselves, we do it vicariously by focussing on the life of some other 'poor boy made good'. The 'celebs' are the new gods, and we, the viewing public, the worshippers at their altar! And as for the money to be made from such parasitic pursuits ... how many starving kids in Africa could be fed on the fees for one chat show appearance by the latest pop superstar, not to mention the soccer hero's weekly pay check! What has happened to the values of a society which pays some guy vastly more to kick a ball around for 90 minutes a week than it pays a Junior doctor to work 70hrs saving the lives of sick and dying folk in hospital?
Aaaargh!
Anthony
Well said my friend. I always thought I was the only one who thought that way. Instead of soccer players, we in the USA have baseball players who command millions of dollars and then have temper tantrums in the field because they don't like the umpire's call. Or basketball players that act like a bunch of street thugs, while the fans cheer them on. I could go on and on but I think you made the point.
