Famous for being famous

[Gnug215]

I am sure you have all noticed the increase in famous people in recent years.

I use the term "famous" loosely, because some of these people are famous simply for being on TV, for being famous. The most obvious example would probably be someone like Paris Hilton, but also many reality show "stars" have similar status.

I was reading an article (not in English, so no links for you!) in an online newspaper, who were interviewing some people from a tabloid magazine (how meta) about how the number of famous people had increased greatly in recent years. They estimated that the amount of famous people that this tabloid would find interesting to write about had quadrupled in 10 years - and the coverage of "gossip" in the media had tripled in the same amount of time.

A sad development if you ask me, but the article also talked with a sociologist about this phenomenon, and they mentioned this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_Anxiety

Now, there's not much info there, but I found it somewhat interesting, and thought maybe that others would find it interesting, too.

What do you think?

 

[Case]

What do you think?

I'm thinking "How weird that there's a regular influx of nipple-slips and seemingly accidental exposure of female genitalia to paparazzi... but I have yet to hear of a guy accidentally showing his dick when getting out of the limousine to step onto the red carpet."

Hey, you asked. Also, I don't watch any TV anymore. It helps to drastically cut down on the audiovisual intake of bullshit.

 

[Doc.]

I don't watch any TV anymore. It helps to drastically cut down on the audiovisual intake of bullshit.

seconded.

 

[derkvanl]

I don't watch any TV anymore. It helps to drastically cut down on the audiovisual intake of bullshit.

seconded.

+1

 

[Gnug215]

Alright...

So far we've established that all of you ignore this problem (and I feel it is a problem) by not watching TV.

Have any insights as to why we have this problem, and what could be done about it, other than looking away?

 

[Case]

Well, there is the option that we all get either rich or powerful, or both.

#1: If we're rich, we can buy the TV stations and broadcast shows with substance. I'm sure we could even get witty writers to incorporate useful knowledge into sitcoms.
#2: If we're powerful, we can force the tv stations to produce shows with substance.

The problem isn't only with what's on the table though. We need to create/sustain people's craving for good stuff. And that's the hard part. And this is where I pass the baton.

 

[CosmicSpork]

I don't know about other countries in this regard, but in the uk I have certainly noticed a vast increase in "Z" list celebrities. At one time these people would have been snubbed but now they are often revered by people who don't know any better for "making" it...

 

[Prolescum]

I don't watch TV either (unless the show has a spaceship in it of course) but I agree with CosmicSpork, it's pretty effing hard to avoid being aware of these people. My friend Mr Malloprop's girlfriend buys those trashy magazines and waffles on about how ugly/pointless/drug-addled/slutty they all are. Pretty disgraceful. Worst thing is, she acknowledges that it's pathetic.

 

[MRaverz]

Mindless drivel for mindless drones, it keeps them paying their taxes and funding science. :twisted:

But in all seriousness, how do these people get famous? :shock:

 

[Gnug215]

Mindless drivel for mindless drones, it keeps them paying their taxes and funding science. :twisted:

But in all seriousness, how do these people get famous? :shock:

With the time, energy and money spent on the entire "being famous" industry, we could probably have cured the moon by now!!

Seriously, though, not to sound alarmist and old-fashioned, but are we looking at something that (could be part of a larger picture that) could contributes to the downfall of our society?
Not too many years ago when children were asked what they wanted to be in the future, they would respond with "normal" stuff, like police, doctor, etc., but recently I heard the majority of kids now respond to that question with "famous".
So not only is a lot of money and time in society spent on this, but children are growing up with asporations to be a part of this, instead of doing something that actually contributes to society.
Materialism and consumerism ties into this stuff, of course, and many other factors, I'm sure... But is this fame-whoring a symptom of a society in decay?

And how they're getting famous is, well, just by being on TV, a lot of the time. Usually they have no exceptional skills of any kind which could explain why they would be on TV in the first place, and yet they are still role models. So being skillful isn't revered so much anymore, I guess, because you can reap the rewards of skill withOUT having to be skillful.

I realize I may sound a lot like a grumpy old man here who complains about the younger generation, but still... isn't there a real danger here?

 

[MRaverz]

Mindless drivel for mindless drones, it keeps them paying their taxes and funding science. :twisted:

But in all seriousness, how do these people get famous? :shock:

With the time, energy and money spent on the entire "being famous" industry, we could probably have cured the moon by now!!

Seriously, though, not to sound alarmist and old-fashioned, but are we looking at something that (could be part of a larger picture that) could contributes to the downfall of our society?
Not too many years ago when children were asked what they wanted to be in the future, they would respond with "normal" stuff, like police, doctor, etc., but recently I heard the majority of kids now respond to that question with "famous".
So not only is a lot of money and time in society spent on this, but children are growing up with asporations to be a part of this, instead of doing something that actually contributes to society.
Materialism and consumerism ties into this stuff, of course, and many other factors, I'm sure... But is this fame-whoring a symptom of a society in decay?

I think the system is it's own filtration as very few people actually succeed in becoming successful, the vast majority of people will just live a mundane life feeding what they earn into the tax system. Due to this low success rate and high threat of failure, you'll end up with this aspiration to be famous becoming nothing more than a pipedream.

Of course this could lead to sustained anti-intellectualism, especially with the current media influence but that's just all the more reason to aspire to be the next Carl Sagan. With more people wanting to made science open and accessible to all, we can hopefully combat any commercial 'rot' from Z list celebrities which might overflow this 'filtration'.

 

[5810Singer]

I'm thinking "How weird that there's a regular influx of nipple-slips and seemingly accidental exposure of female genitalia to paparazzi... but I have yet to hear of a guy accidentally showing his dick when getting out of the limousine to step onto the red carpet."

Hmmm....I'm thinking "It's kinda hard to look up someone's skirt when they're wearing trousers..."

 

[CosmicSpork]

I'm thinking "How weird that there's a regular influx of nipple-slips and seemingly accidental exposure of female genitalia to paparazzi... but I have yet to hear of a guy accidentally showing his dick when getting out of the limousine to step onto the red carpet."

Hmmm....I'm thinking "It's kinda hard to look up someone's skirt when they're wearing trousers..."

Doesn't mean they can't have their flies down or wearing really baggy shorts and no underwear :?

 

[Case]

I'm thinking "How weird that there's a regular influx of nipple-slips and seemingly accidental exposure of female genitalia to paparazzi... but I have yet to hear of a guy accidentally showing his dick when getting out of the limousine to step onto the red carpet."

Hmmm....I'm thinking "It's kinda hard to look up someone's skirt when they're wearing trousers..."

1) I agree with Spork's notion:

2) There are options.

 

[kenandkids]

It is a problem and it arises from sheer ignorance. Until you find a way to make people prefer learning to stupidity or mundanity, this problem will continue. Of course, if you do find a method of increasing the overall intelligence in society, you'll be at odds with the religions and politicians who have a vested interest in keeping people just smart enough to send them money or votes and not quite smart enough to think.

 

[borrofburi]

I'm thinking "How weird that there's a regular influx of nipple-slips and seemingly accidental exposure of female genitalia to paparazzi... but I have yet to hear of a guy accidentally showing his dick when getting out of the limousine to step onto the red carpet."

Hmmm....I'm thinking "It's kinda hard to look up someone's skirt when they're wearing trousers..."

Eh, I think it's an issue of demand? Maybe?

 

[Your Funny Uncle]

I do watch TV but with judicious use of a PVR. The only things I watch live are sporting events and news bulletins. Sadly even "reputable" news sources are becoming increasingly drenched in celebrity culture these days. An interesting documentary covering this very question was on Channel 4 un the UK recently.

The gist of the film was that the media has figured out that people want fame, and "reality TV" has made it possible to be famous just for being an ignorant idiot who shouts a lot, thereby lowering the perceived bar for entry into the world of celebrity. The ARE more celebrities around, but not nearly as many as there are people who want to be celebrities. "Reality TV" is cheap to make and by providing the illusion that anyone can be famous generates it's own supply of viewers and wannabe participants, thereby feeding the continuous media circus. It's basically a self-perpetuating system for as long as there are enough people who are drawn in by the allure of fame.

 

[nasher168]

I can't see the attraction of being famous, to be honest. I mean, I would love to be widely known for doing something good or clever, but celebrity style fame means you lose all your privacy. I like the freedom of obscurity.

 

[Case]

I can't see the attraction of being famous, to be honest. I mean, I would love to be widely known for doing something good or clever, but celebrity style fame means you lose all your privacy. I like the freedom of obscurity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8585407.stm

I'd want to be rich, but certainly without the famous. If I could avoid it, that is.

 

[Your Funny Uncle]

I can't see the attraction of being famous, to be honest. I mean, I would love to be widely known for doing something good or clever, but celebrity style fame means you lose all your privacy. I like the freedom of obscurity.

I couldn't agree more. The very idea of not being able to leave my house without some hack questioning my dress sense or commenting on my beer belly chills me to the core...