US’ celebrity worship silly, time-wasting

You see them everywhere.

They tell you to buy certain products, they influence the politics and ideas of you and your friends, and their faces are plastered everywhere. Your friends are obsessed with them and you know their stories.

That’s right: celebrities.

Everywhere, on movies, commercials, television, radio, newspapers and the internet, the fabulously famous haunt us. The president is even something of a celebrity.

They endorse products and movements. They guide the decisions and lifestyles of some people. Where does this power come from, and why? Why do the people of the world allow themselves to drift in the turbulence of the lives of famous people?

Certainly in this day and age it is difficult to be a celebrity. They are stalked, bought and sold, used and even robbed. In the absence of a stalker, however, drugs, sex and alcohol make for a pretty good substitute. Claiming to be misunderstood and sick of the superficiality, they seek an escape through substance abuse.

Oh, the burden of fame.

Nevertheless, is this really the sort of person that needs to be idolized?

Some people see celebrities as godlike heroes, and hold them high on a pedestal in order to observe and mimic them in a desperate search for their own shred of fame.

What makes these people so heroic? Why are they worthy of the public’s rapt attention? Why this intense fascination and blind admiration with people most have never met or even seen face-to-face?

There are people in this world worth acknowledging as heroes, and while they may occasionally reach celebrity-level fame, it is a rare thing. Putting forth the mindless antics of some famous people is not only completely pointless, but a base waste of time. There is nothing heroic about many of today’s celebrities, but they are nonetheless put forward as ideal Americans.

Why should they provide beacons of brilliance when there are so many others in this world far more worthy of the title “hero?” Why do so many care about the day-to-day lives of celebrities and so little for the once-in-a-lifetime actions of true heroes?

Have celebrities done anything to deserve out attention beyond the realm of entertainment? Do they have degrees in political science or experience in the political realm? Are they doctors or sages?

Their fame does not give them automatic rights to endorse, persuade or otherwise influence the public opinion.

In fact, it can be dangerous to follow the strict rulings of one’s favorite celebrity.

Oprah’s endorsement of Suzanne Somers proves that celebrities sometimes don’t know what they’re talking about. Somers recommended high doses of synthetic estrogen on a daily basis, ridiculous amounts of vitamin supplements and an unrealistic level of diet and exercise, all in an effort to stay young. In medical fields, it is an acknowledged fact that estrogen in high doses does not keep the body young, but rather increases a woman’s risk of certain cancers and diseases.

Oprah also endorsed the inspirational speaker James Earl Ray, who was in charge of setting up a sauna in the middle of a desert that recently killed three people.

In the realm of politics, celebrities always have their fingers in the pie. Bono and Green Day voice their protests through catchy pop tunes. Michael Moore makes entire movies attempting to recruit the American populace to his own beliefs. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart feed America news with a comedic (and generally blatantly biased) spin.

The list could go on forever, but the question remains: what gives them the right? Celebrities are merely humans, like every other person on this earth. Why do their opinions matter so much to so many?

Pop culture’s media are controlling America. There are whole magazines and television channels devoted to the relationships and lives of celebrities. People blog about what they wear and where they eat. Why do we care?

Certainly it is wonderful the celebrities can throw their support behind a worthy cause and encourage others to be equally philanthropic. Some are very talented and intelligent people. But when will America shake off its coma-like stupor, step away from the television screen, and learn to appreciate the everyday people that make this country great?

Pearl Howell is a freshman theater major.

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9 comments

Your name

Wed Jan 13 2010 23:45

its dumbing down, as american as apple pie

because celebrities are better than us?
HELLLLLO
We worship celebrities, they are our GODS
people still go to church (even if they dont go to church) get me?
We make cults around these pretty people raised upon high

I mean when Americans march for a suspected child molester (guilty or no) because he made some good music in his lifetime, when stars regularly meltdown from the pressure of deity-hood we’re there with cameras, recording ever second of their blessed existence.

what does that tell you about the priorities of a terminally moronic society?

we have about as much depth cllectively as a cardboard box

normies dont count like celebs, we’re a lower class of peoples
….id say 1oo normies to every average celeb

Lonnie

Tue Nov 24 2009 02:41

I have a few things to note about this unreadable article that makes no sense.

1. Saying celebrities are all over TV, the internet, and radio is like saying Politicians are all over Capitol Hill. They're CELEBRITIES.

2. You're a theater major. Unless you plan on performing stage show tours in tiny markets your whole life, you're going to have to pack up and move to New York or Los Angeles. What happens if you're really good at acting? YOU'LL BECOME A CELEBRITY! WHOA!

3. Pigeon-holing all famous people because they are famous is basically a form of discrimination.

4. IF PEOPLE WEREN'T WATCHING THESE SHOWS, THEY WOULDN'T BE ON TV! But that's the celebrities' fault, right?

5. There are plenty of unqualified people giving their opinions on politics right now - they're called Fox News analysts. I've never met the man, but I can seriously imagine George Clooney being smarter and more sane than Sean Hannity.

I hate celebrity worship, but I hate celebrity bashing even more. To discount, or accept, a person's views based on celebrity is ignorant and stupid. Why not waste the time you spent on this ignorance of the English language on something more productive?

God bless the editor who let this past his hands.

Rosalie

Sat Nov 21 2009 16:03

By the looks of it you have no real experience to draw from. When you go thru life and deal with illness, etc. and learn from it....sometimes people, yes, even celebrities, like to share their knowledge & experience. We are the ones who give them the right by acknowledging them in any way at all. That doesn't mean that what they say isn't real or true. Unless you yourself have learned & know better, why should anyone care what your opinion is?

Andy

Fri Nov 20 2009 04:10

Great article by the way Pearl!

Andy

Fri Nov 20 2009 04:09

YES! It sickens me when I see people worshipping these people. Some deserve their success, many do not. Ironically, it is often those who did nothing to deserve their celebrity status that are the most worshipped. I would not say the Obama is something of a celebrity, he is a celebrity. The mainstream media is obsessed with him and will do anything in their power to promote him in a favorable light which is impressive if you know the many faults of this man. The press has betrayed the American people. They no longer report the news and seek the truth. They use their platform to promote their own agendas. Anyways, back to point, I am sincerely worried about the future generations of this country. They are consumed with celebrity. Those people crying when they meet Paris Hilton are part of this country's future. God help us!

Holy Hormones

Thu Nov 19 2009 20:49

Ms. Somers is an advocate of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, not synthetic hormones. A glaring error in your article.

Sam

Thu Nov 19 2009 20:30

You commented how celebrities are human...Well, so are Doctors last I checked! lol

lucy

Thu Nov 19 2009 20:04

I agree. I just had this sort of conversation earlier this week. I don't get the celebrity worship either.

smooth

Thu Nov 19 2009 08:35

AMEN

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