TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan
   
   
     
   
Since: 2.1.02
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|  #1 Posted on 17.6.02 1305.52 | Instant Rating: 4.42 | I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in Random, but it's political in nature I guess.
With the recent happenings in Steve Austin's life, my agitation towards people who feel the need to pry into the lives of celbrities has been stirred. My question is, why does our society feel that just because somebody is in a movie or appears on television, their lives become the world's to dig through? So Steve Austin hit his wife. Why is that any different than John Doe in southern Florida who does the same thing? Millions of people use drugs, so why do only athletes and actors get their faces on the front page for it?
I don't buy the "role model" schtik. First of all, I think most people, at any age, are intelligent enought to know which acts they should follow and which they should not. Second, if I had children, these types of professions (pro athletes in particular) would be the LAST ones I would want them to idolize. Not because of drugs, women, greed, or other stereotypes, but because these people have it easy and I wouldn't want my children to think these would come so easily to them.
So why is our culture so obsessed with celebrities?
Mean Gene: "You know, I don't think it's a question - Goldberg, I don't think it's a question of who's next, I think it's a question of who's left?"
Goldberg: "No, see, that's where you're wrong. It ain't who's left, it's - WHO'S NEXT?"
"Just how hardcore am I? Well this morning, I drank milk that was two days past the expiration!"
-Norman Smiley
"She is one of them! She's CANADIAN!"
-Stevie Ray| Promote this thread! |           | Gavintzu
Summer sausage
Since: 2.1.02
From: Calgary ... Alberta Canada
Since last post: 2350 days
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|  #2 Posted on 17.6.02 1335.55 | Instant Rating: 0.00 | Great post. But I don't think it's just our society who is obsessed with celebrity. Gossip about the private lives of the rich and powerful is as old as human culture. Generally speaking, the rich and powerful can lead much more "interesting" lives than the rest of us 9-to-5 slobs.
What I think has changed is the media is much more willing to report these things. I'm pretty sure JFK's womanizing was well-known to lots of people when he was president, but because the mainstream media was unwilling to report on it the vast majority of Americans were none the wiser. That is no longer the case now.
And why not? I was going to say that because the media is only concerned with profits and ad revenues, they look to scandals to boost ratings. But "yellow journalism" and scandal sheets have been around for more than a century -- the difference is that mainstream outlets like The New York Times is now willing to run stories about the private lives of celebrities when in the past they would look the other way. Whether or not a certain baseball player is gay is now open for discussion everywhere, whether or not he wants to talk about it.
I'm afraid we're going to have to look in the mirror if we are going to lay blame. "Decorum" has become old-fashioned ... try talking about our society's "lack of decorum" and you'll get amused looks. Personally, I think a sense of decorum is a mark of culture and it's too bad most people seem to disagree.
Let me put you in the picture, let me show you what I mean;
The Messiah is my sister, ain't no king man, she's my queen.
| MoeGates
Andouille
Since: 6.1.02
From: Brooklyn, NY
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|  #3 Posted on 17.6.02 1557.47 | Because we donīt have a Royal family, which we desperately need. They have two jobs:
1 - to be role models (even if you donīt think of them that way, itīs still their job to try) andį
2 - to get gossiped about by the tabloids.
I mean, those are what they have tons of money for. Everyone benefits. Society gets its fix of prying into the lives of celebrities, politicians and celebrities are freer to go about their private lives as a result (since the designation of 'open life' is taken off them and put on the royal family), and the people whos job it is gets to literally live the lives like royalty. What could be better?
Moe
Expressing myself EVERY day! | Freeway
Scrapple
Since: 3.1.02
From: Calgary
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| #4 Posted on 17.6.02 1731.35 | Well, Kevin Costner was watching the Tyson fight at the Palliser Hotel here in Cow-town, and my uncle (who was in attendance) was astounded that NOBODY bothered Costner. I guess in Canada since we have beer and sports stars and a Royal family and whatnot, we don't feel the need to harass every damned celebrity we see.
Bart: Hey, immigrants! Beat it! Country's full!
Sailor: OK people, you heard the lady. Back into the hold. We'll try Canada.
[the immigrants moan]
-- "The City of New York Vs. Homer Simpson" | Dahak
Frankfurter
Since: 12.5.02
From: Junction City OR.
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| #5 Posted on 17.6.02 1856.41 | I think a lot of it is normal people like to see rich famous people fuck up. Like stories about lottery winners who file for bankruptcy. It makes the normal 9-5 people feel better about themselves.
I just have 13 words for you. How much wood would a woodchuch chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? | Ffej
Boudin rouge
Since: 15.1.02
From: Flatwoods, KY
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| #6 Posted on 22.6.02 0519.15 |
Originally posted by Dahak
I think a lot of it is normal people like to see rich famous people fuck up. Like stories about lottery winners who file for bankruptcy. It makes the normal 9-5 people feel better about themselves.
Amen brother! Amen.
I think if you are in the passing lane, and not passing, your license should be revoked, and you should be forced to ride the bus until you promise to never delay the rest of us again.
--George Carlin
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