Are celebrities damaging?

Well, maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it's bullcrap that we celebrate people like models and just because they happened to be born beautiful, footballers because they're successful in some stupid ultimately trivial activity, stuff like that. It's a joke, everywhere you look, in magazines, on the TV, they're everywhere, everyone knows them. What about the people that have done real work, scientists, people trying to progress technology and medicine, people trying to progress the human race, where are they to be seen? Does anyone know their names? No, instead we just celebrate and parade around these people that have done nothing, totally undeserving of the attention they receive. It's sickening.
 
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KittensCake said:
Well, maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it's bullcrap that we celebrate people like models and just because they happened to be born beautiful, footballers because they're successful in some stupid ultimately trivial activity, stuff like that. It's a joke, everywhere you look, in magazines, on the TV, everyone knows them, what about the people that have done real work, scientists, people trying to progress technology and medicine, people trying to progress the human race, where are they to be seen? Does anyone know their names? No, instead we just celebrate and parade around these people that have done nothing, totally undeserving of the attention they receive. It's sickening.
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what your saying is "it's our fault for worshiping them" and we should ignore them?
 
KittensCake said:
Well, maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it's bullcrap that we celebrate people like models and just because they happened to be born beautiful, footballers because they're successful in some stupid ultimately trivial activity, stuff like that. It's a joke, everywhere you look, in magazines, on the TV, they're everywhere, everyone knows them. What about the people that have done real work, scientists, people trying to progress technology and medicine, people trying to progress the human race, where are they to be seen? Does anyone know their names? No, instead we just celebrate and parade around these people that have done nothing, totally undeserving of the attention they receive. It's sickening.
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Good post.
 
neocon said:
what your saying is "it's our fault for worshiping them" and we should ignore them?
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Yes good point. The TV companies continue to pour out inane drivel(the reason I have gone back to reading). You only have to look at OC to see the number who watch e.g. Big Brother.

As the Rough Guide(if I remember correctly) said 'The British are addicted to celebrity'. What passes for celebrity is, as mentioned, any idiot who gets their face in front of a camera.

Ignore them? Absolutely!! Do not buy the mags, stop viewing the crap and the cult of celebrity may die.
 
KittensCake said:
Well, maybe. I don't know. All I know is that it's bullcrap that we celebrate people like models and just because they happened to be born beautiful, footballers because they're successful in some stupid ultimately trivial activity, stuff like that. It's a joke, everywhere you look, in magazines, on the TV, they're everywhere, everyone knows them. What about the people that have done real work, scientists, people trying to progress technology and medicine, people trying to progress the human race, where are they to be seen? Does anyone know their names? No, instead we just celebrate and parade around these people that have done nothing, totally undeserving of the attention they receive. It's sickening.
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agree, we should celebrate those that do good in this world, such as scientists, they go day in day out trying to find cures for dieseases and they get little from it, appart from those in that community of science
 
But those people do it for the single reason of improving life in some way. Not just for a financial gain. So they are normal people and in comparison to 'celebs' quite boring, they do not make good TV and definitely wont sell red tops.
They are honoured in their own way though, not many of the current celebs will ever be knighted or win awards in their industry that REALLY mean anything to anyone.
 
Agree with OP and Kittenscake.

Also, I like the advice of do_ron_ron - Change the channel, dont buy the mags. Thats the best thing you can do about it. If many like-minded people do the same, maybe we will see proper coverage of things and people that matter.
 
Crimefighter said:
Agree with OP and Kittenscake.

Also, I like the advice of do_ron_ron - Change the channel, dont buy the mags. Thats the best thing you can do about it. If many like-minded people do the same, maybe we will see proper coverage of things and people that matter.
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Would we?
People dont want to see these other things otherwise they would get more primetime airing. People wont pay to have adverts in these programs unless they are on UKTV whatever or similar channels.

There is also many industry magazines that you can buy and things you can read online regarding the other things and people that matter. So its only really TV that would be the problem for you.
 
Its just social conditioning. The problem is that people don't know what they want out of life, they look to celebrities who are rich and appear happy and so think that is what they need to be happy. When everyone around you believes it, most people will grow up believing this too. Advertising, tv, movies, magazines etc makes people think that possessions will make them feel good and people believe it. Compare this to less developed nations, people are more concerned about getting food to eat for their family than buying a new pair of shoes or whatever - it ties in with maslow's hierarchy of needs

There was a similar thread a while back where I posted a story, may as well post it again because I feel its particularly relevant

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family.

"You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman, "you should be working rather than lying on the beach!"
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?"

"Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer.
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling.

The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!"
"And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.

The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.
"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman.

The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!"
Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?"

The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"
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The way I see it is illustrating the point that a successful carreer and large bank blance, big house etc are not necessary to be happy, but a lot of people believe it to be the case, and so they will not be happy without them, and even if they do eventually get them they still won't be as there will be other things society tells them they need.
 
Raymond Lin & KittensCake nailed it. Nothing really more to add, with religion disappearing, celebrities took the place of people who need something to look up to and better themselves for. Except capitalists are better at getting money out of people then Vicar's and Father's.
 
Jotun said:
Its just social conditioning. The problem is that people don't know what they want out of life, they look to celebrities who are rich and appear happy and so think that is what they need to be happy. When everyone around you believes it, most people will grow up believing this too. Advertising, tv, movies, magazines etc makes people think that possessions will make them feel good and people believe it.
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But you also have the countless coverage of stars on the way down and revelations that they arent really happy with life.
Look at Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse, or Gazza, or Barrymore or countless others.
Yes they had big coverage for when they are great, but they get more coverage (in mainstream media) when they are on the way down.
So people see both sides of the story.
 
Morba said:
Would we?
People dont want to see these other things otherwise they would get more primetime airing. People wont pay to have adverts in these programs unless they are on UKTV whatever or similar channels.

There is also many industry magazines that you can buy and things you can read online regarding the other things and people that matter. So its only really TV that would be the problem for you.
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Yeah thats exactly my point spoken in reverse.

they are on tv and in mags and internet sites because people read them.

It would make me a lot happier if that mindset changed - however if people still want to subject themselves to crap then we cant blame newspapers or tv channels for covering what sells.
 
Crimefighter said:
however if people still want to subject themselves to crap then we cant blame newspapers or tv channels for covering what sells.
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Completely. As much as millions hate BB, millions love it, hence it is the focus point of almost everything for the next x weeks.
 
Morba said:
But you also have the countless coverage of stars on the way down and revelations that they arent really happy with life.
Look at Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse, or Gazza, or Barrymore or countless others.
Yes they had big coverage for when they are great, but they get more coverage (in mainstream media) when they are on the way down.
So people see both sides of the story.
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That's true, however normally when someone is on the way down it's due to a drugs habit or having an affair or something (from what I've seen anyway although admittedly I don't tend to follow the media much), which is going to be the main focus for most people rather than thinking "even with loads of money/good looks etc, I won't be happy" as it goes against the superficial values that people believe in.
 
there is a whole generation of mtv viewers growing up believing that they can live kifestyles comparable to the people they see on tv.

what a shock they have in store
 
i never watched MTV (except for celeb deathmatch), yet im fascinated by some celebs..
 
Tony Williams said:
What about diet fads and size zero? Do you guys think because of these celebs or models, children are looking upto them and becoming pro-ana because of this?
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Not entirely.

When I was younger I got called fat. I stopped eating. I started eating properly again and put on weight. I stopped eating again, I hid food, lied so I didn't have to eat. It got to the point where it wasn't about looking good but I had control. It was the one part of my life that I had control over. I know a lot of (real?) anorexics/bullimics feel the same as I did.

The pro-ana culture that has developed seems a lot different now where it seems "cool" to be able to say that they're a size 0 and I think that part is celebrity influenced.

I picked up a magazine the other day (Glamour, maybe?) and I looked through it. It made me feel incredibly depressed that I'm evidently not normal! There was articles about women who get into so much debt because they have to go on holiday and a "make sure you take condoms on holiday or you'll get pregnant" thing too. If I don't have money I don't book a holiday. If I do go it doesn't automatically mean I'm going to have sex and I can say no/not sleep with someone different every night etc etc.

Is this really the norm now? God, I feel so old and I'm only 19. I must be part of the minority that seems to have morals and can make my own decisions. :( :mad:

/rant.
 
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