Are celebrities damaging?

Tommy B

Tommy B

Tommy B

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The fact is we are living in an age where there is an increasing gap between the super rich and the rest of us. We're are also living in an age where people are becoming more unhappy.

Is this because of the MTV lifestyle? I think we're bombarded with images of celebrities engorging themselves in luxury properties, fast cars etc. I also believe it is making us all selfish, greedy and desperate for money so we can have the same. Watch MTV for half an hour and you'll see what I mean. It's all crap and there's absolutely nothing of any moral fibre to be found there.

It's strange how in countries like China there is mass poverty yet, anyone who has been travelling there will realise, everyone is happy. People didn't used to care about being poor as long as they were happy. Now, everyone seems desperate for mass wealth. It's like we're programmed that it's impossible to be happy unless you're super rich.

I'm curious to hear other thoughts on this matter.
 
Tommy B said:
The fact is we are living in an age where there is an increasing gap between the super rich and the rest of us. We're are also living in an age where people are becoming more unhappy.

Is this because of the MTV lifestyle? I think we're bombarded with images of celebrities engorging themselves in luxury properties, fast cars etc. I also believe it is making us all selfish, greedy and desperate for money so we can have the same. Watch MTV for half an hour and you'll see what I mean. It's all crap and there's absolutely nothing of any moral fibre to be found there.

It's strange how in countries like China there is mass poverty yet, anyone who has been travelling there will realise, everyone is happy. People didn't used to care about being poor as long as they were happy. Now, everyone seems desperate for mass wealth. It's like we're programmed that it's impossible to be happy unless you're super rich.

I'm curious to hear other thoughts on this matter.
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Most celebrities aren't anywhere near "super rich".
 
Capitalism - it is the whole concept of wanting more and then more, never content and this want will never be fulfilled.

Also we hold the idea of happiness differ to say in your example China, where the people in rural areas are happy because mainly 1 - That is all they know and used to, and 2 - Family and health is the utmost important thing and wealth can't buy you that (unless you are sick). 3 - Tradition.
 
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I think people are missing the OP's point, ignore the celebrity side of things and just concentrate on what he is saying about creating a society in which nobody is ever content.

So long as status is vauled by posessions and welth rather than attributes such as creativity or integrity......where on earth are we all heading?
 
People have always been selfish and greedy. Celebrities are simply a replacement for the upper classes or Royals. It just seems you now need to look pretty to have money, rather than actually have any useful talent or skill. All this fuss about who is wearing what and doing what with whom, who the hell cares? I live my life my way and am not influenced by the media.
 
Snakedoctor said:
People have always been selfish and greedy. Celebrities are simply a replacement for the upper classes or Royals. It just seems you now need to look pretty to have money, rather than actually have any useful talent or skill. All this fuss about who is wearing what and doing what with whom, who the hell cares? I live my life my way and am not influenced by the media.
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The current crop of celebs dont need to be pretty or skillful. they just need to be stupid enough to do something infront of cameras that will sell papers / mags.
While you are not influenced, millions of people are, hence the sales of mags / papers that revolve around these celebs.
 
I know, it is really sad. As Brian said "You are all individuals, you do not need someone to tell you what to do." Hmm 2000 years nothing changes.

"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
 
Back in the good old days - MTV used to play nothing but Music Videos...it was sweet...I haven't really watched MTV since they took off Headbanger's Ball.
 
i'd be interested to know the net worth of some of those MTV celebs (B list rappers etc).

just because because you have a big house in Atlanta, doesn't make you rich. They probably have huge mortgages and massive credit card debts.
 
neocon said:
just because because you have a big house in Atlanta, doesn't make you rich.
They probably have huge mortgages and massive credit card debts.
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Agreed, but if you have a lot of money you'd be an idiot to buy a house outright, especially with interest rates as they are in the USA...

You're much better off with a decent mortgage and getting a better return on your money by investing it elsewhere...
 
neocon said:
i'd be interested to know the net worth of some of those MTV celebs (B list rappers etc).

just because because you have a big house in Atlanta, doesn't make you rich. They probably have huge mortgages and massive credit card debts.
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Most of the lower 'stars' probably live in houses supplied by the record companies etc, rather than own them themselves.
 
daz said:
If you have a lot of money you'd be an idiot to buy a house outright, especially with interest rates as they are in the USA.
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fair poit, but my point is that they will probably go bankrupt before they ever pay off. most of the b-list have short careers
 
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