Is America's addiction to celebrities a representation of a deeper distrust of societal institutions?

Question

I want real answers. It seems post industrial revolution in the West has shown the gross abuse of power religious, financial and political leaders have managed to keep under wraps. Are American's [i.e. Westerner's] so jaded and fed up with these institutions that they worship and emulate celebrities? Thus encouraging the rich and famous' irresponsible and counter productive beahvior?

Answer 1

Brilliant question, thanks for asking it! This is a topic I have discussed with many in the past.

I am old enough to remember the last of the old star system in America. In those days The media did not have the huge presence in the daily lives of the people that it does now. Hollywood was still the place of dreams and stars were granted truly legendary status, but still managed to maintain their distance from the "hoi polloi". The world was a different place then and one sought the stars, their lives, while of interest to the tabloids, were not thrust upon us all constantly via tv, magazines, papers, etc etc. In most cases, if you wanted to learn about a star, you had to seek the information out, it was not thrust upon you at every turn.

Yes, I am older and do not recognize 3/4 of the names of the people I see in these magazines now, nor am I really terribly interested in learning about them. Most of it is mere clutter for the human brain, mine included, and I prefer to keep my mind clear for things that matter.

Does this foolishness really matter? Do ALL these people rate "star" status? Do ALL these people actually do anything valid? I mean other than entertain the world with their ever-changing marriages and tastes in fashion? How deep is that? Does this shallowness perhaps reflect the lack of depth in our current society? A shallowness, I might add, that is celebrated in most of the movies and television programmes these "stars" are part and parcel of.

What is the purpose by serving up of all this thoughtless adoration of absolutely normal brainless pap to a naive young Western public? The people of the West have an absolute obsession, nurtured by the media, with frivolities. These frivolities include an unhealthy passion for overpaid and often spoiled athletes, mistakenly termed "heroes". Once a hero was a man who did something truly momentous, something unusual and dangerous at the potential cost of his life, not toss a ball into a hoop or hit one out of the park! When did such ordinary actions become accomplishments worthy of adulation? When did the media elevate mere athletes to the status of a true hero? Today many an athlete can be in court one day dealing with a rape, but be a star on the courts the next day. What kind of values are these for us to give our young? All of this helps lead our impressionable young towards an unbalanced form of "idol worship".

My theory is that we live in a world almost devoid of true spirituality. I am not referring to organized religions, I refer to a state of the soul, a vacuum, a deep inner emptiness. Most are so accustomed to this emptiness that they do not even know it exists within themselves because they have ever known anything different.

Most of this undeserved adulation is a substitute for worship created by Hollywood moguls to fill that lack, especially with a great percentage of our younger generations, who have been ruthlessly manipulated by the media into a shallow lifestyle of consumerism and self. Not all our young are like this of course, I do not mean to generalize, but I speak of the majority alas. I am sorry but the numbers speak for themselves. These magazines, the ratings, do not just walk off the shelves. This also teaches the materialistic among us that, if I am all right, who cares what happens to others? "What war? Where? Ohh! Paris bought a new purse! Look at the picture! I want one too. Let's go shopping."

I believe that much of this also an elaborate system used to keep our young from prying deeply into matters that count. It also ensures, for at least some time, an adherence to shallow values, not to mention that it "justifies" lack of commitment in a relationship as a viable alternative to even attempting to uphold permanent marital vows. ("Kevin Calls Brit a Fat *** and Spends All Her Money")

It is much easier to subjugate a nation when family ties are weak or, at the rate we are going, almost obsolete. There is nothing to instill the deep values our nations were originally founded upon, respect, responsibility, ethics. Even if they say "no, not me!" the impressionable young still absorb things and one is blind to deny such a truth. I put it on the same "subconscious" level as war games and gangsta rap in terms of how deeply these things have insidiously effected our kids and skewed their values.

I am sure many people think I am wrong with this, but think about it. I am not taking up a case against our children, or against parents or any individuals. I am taking up a case against those who threaten their well being. Uness we put them in a vacuum and face jail time, parents can only do so much to protect their children against the relentless onslaught of the media. .

Then there is the conspiracy theorist aspect that I have always felt is founded on a grain of truth. Hollywood has long been linked with diversion, entertainment. Now this entertainment and all the hoopla that surrounds it also are used to keep people from seeing the truth of what happens, what is being done to them in this world. If people are focused on who marries who, they will not pay attention to loss of rights or the daily headlines.

I also believe there is a tie between government and Hollywood. There always has been. This is historical fact and there is no reason to think it still does not go on today. It is no chance happening that as our world accelerates into chaos, stirred by a handful of ruthless families, pap is being used to obscure the truth and let the conspirators get away with virtual murder of entire civilizations.

Remember, when Rome burned, Nero played on.

I could say more... but I imagine anyone reading this is asleep by now! Thanks for the opportunity to vent.

Answer 2

People are interested in celebrities because it gives them something in common with other people. It creates a psuedo-friend culture. You may not have any real friends but you can keep up with the lives of celebrities and it makes you feel connected. Once you do meet people you can talk to them about celebrities because almost everyone knows something about them.

I don't think it has anything to do with power. America and most of the Western nations are so rich that even the poor are rich compared to other countries. With most of our basic needs met by a decent economy we, have no reason to rebel. No reason to risk are lives, when we are, relatively safe.

Also, I'm not sure that celebrities are any more counter-productive than anyone else. They just have cameras on them everyday.

Answer 3

Not a 'deep' distrust, but definitely a certain amount of distrust. Especially in anything to do with the government. I'm afraid I've become a bit of a cynic. Saying that, I do still have a sense of adventure and like to try new, interesting things... to learn. I'm afraid this one is a hard balancing act for me... like walking a tightrope. I don't want to trust openly, but I don't want to be afraid and miss out on life. You certainly made me think! Thanks!!

Answer 4

The youth of this nation wouldn't know a talented, truly talented, CELEBRITY-STAR if they bumped into one. When they are ready to pee their pants when Paris Hilton can do nothing more than exit an automobile....or when what they call musicians do nothing more than spit into a mic or scratch a vinyl record....well, the culture of this country has gone to hell in a handbasket. They idolize people who do nothing more than break the rules of acceptable societal interaction.

Answer 5

No, I think it goes deeper than that. I think we are fed a constant diet of distracting trivialities to divert our attention from the things we should be noticing, i.e. the gross abuses of power you mention.

Answer 6

I really think its all just a distraction from everyday life and the advertisers know it so they've shoved down our throats till people like me are sick of it.

Answer 7

envy, and greed are older than America though