Celebrity

2009-09-18 20:59:13

#1

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6994|67.222.138.85

Do we carry people on our collective shoulders because we think they deserve it, because we enjoy the directionless escapism, or because we want to be carried some day?

---

Celebrity is a direct reflection of group values. Whether as a group we respect their humor, their deeds, their charisma, or their through-the-roof earnings:work ratio, we collectively identify the traits we most want to have ourselves and put the embodiment of those values on a pedestal.

Celebrity is a means of living another, "better" life vicariously. If one doesn't have online avatars, paperback fantasies, or genetic descendants to live out one's life done right with, someone who certainly seems to have their shit together is a decent fallback.

Celebrity relies on everyone underneath to hold up the few. We understand at some level, conscious or subconscious, that we can never take advantage of the system later if we don't support the system now.

---

Celebrity is one of the most flexible, fickle sources of power in human history, yet very few look to use it beyond achieving small goals of individuals. It is the most effective propaganda tool that exists should someone take advantage of it for the above reasons.

2009-09-18 21:18:29

#2

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6440|what

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Celebrity is one of the most flexible, fickle sources of power in human history, yet very few look to use it beyond achieving small goals of individuals. It is the most effective propaganda tool that exists should someone take advantage of it for the above reasons.

Like PETA?

2009-09-18 21:20:06

#3

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6692|North Carolina

Celebrity is a bit like religion and politics. People always need someone to look up to.

If they didn't... well, society would probably be a lot more functional.

2009-09-18 21:21:20

#4

Dauntless: Admin; +2,249|7029|London

Nicely worded, well said.

Britney is nice though.

2009-09-18 21:31:00

#5

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6784

oh, it's like crowd surfing.

some gain notoriety through happenstance, others actively seek it. tell me Rodney King wasn't a celebrity. tell me dr. phil didn't actively seek it.
i think you need to broaden the scope a little; what makes a celebrity, and what tarnishes one.

2009-09-18 21:36:04

#6

S.Lythberg: Mastermind; +429|6734|Chicago, IL

I always thought our reverence of actors and musicians was misplaced...

2009-09-18 21:54:55

#7

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6994|67.222.138.85

AussieReaper wrote:
Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Celebrity is one of the most flexible, fickle sources of power in human history, yet very few look to use it beyond achieving small goals of individuals. It is the most effective propaganda tool that exists should someone take advantage of it for the above reasons.
Like PETA?

PETA takes what is already a celebrity and tries to pervert it to their own devices. Power lies in changing what becomes celebrity.

Turquoise wrote:
Celebrity is a bit like religion and politics. People always need someone to look up to.

If they didn't... well, society would probably be a lot more functional.

Functional but without a function.

burnzz wrote:
i think you need to broaden the scope a little; what makes a celebrity, and what tarnishes one.

Celebrity is determined by someone fitting the stereotype and chance.

The South Park episode about Britney Spears goes on about this pretty well.

I can NOT believe how awesome I am to actually bring this thread full circle to specifically Britney Spears.

2009-09-18 21:56:06

#8

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6440|what

In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of celebrity: some are born famous, some achieve fame, and some have fame thrust upon 'em.

2009-09-18 22:20:13

#9

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6692|North Carolina

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Turquoise wrote:
Celebrity is a bit like religion and politics. People always need someone to look up to.

If they didn't... well, society would probably be a lot more functional.
Functional but without a function.

No... it's just that their function would be more straightforward. If people were more logical beings with only rational self-interest to motivate them, society would be peaceful and ordered in a near-perfect way.

Granted, the only way for that to happen is for us all to be emotionless robots.

2009-09-18 22:45:49

#10

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,817|6393|eXtreme to the maX

Do we carry people on our collective shoulders because we think they deserve it,

Thats how it used to be.

because we enjoy the directionless escapism,

Thats how it is now.

or because we want to be carried some day?

A little of that.

Fuck Israel

2009-09-19 20:18:01

#11

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6757

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
Do we carry people on our collective shoulders because we think they deserve it, because we enjoy the directionless escapism, or because we want to be carried some day?

---

Celebrity is a direct reflection of group values. Whether as a group we respect their humor, their deeds, their charisma, or their through-the-roof earnings:work ratio, we collectively identify the traits we most want to have ourselves and put the embodiment of those values on a pedestal.

Celebrity is a means of living another, "better" life vicariously. If one doesn't have online avatars, paperback fantasies, or genetic descendants to live out one's life done right with, someone who certainly seems to have their shit together is a decent fallback.

Celebrity relies on everyone underneath to hold up the few. We understand at some level, conscious or subconscious, that we can never take advantage of the system later if we don't support the system now.

---

Celebrity is one of the most flexible, fickle sources of power in human history, yet very few look to use it beyond achieving small goals of individuals. It is the most effective propaganda tool that exists should someone take advantage of it for the above reasons.

L O L

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2009-09-20 09:18:08

#12

mal.: Tit-le?; +6|5624|Singapore

I think popularity and fame is still based on what society and your community perceives as ideal.

For example, the popular kids in school are always people who were cool, humorous and independent (or at least seen to possess these characteristics). Artists such as Taylor Swift rise to fame through their ability to compose and play music, and physical beauty. In the VH1 show "The Pick-up Artist", a cohort of nerds looks up to Mystery as he's everything they ever wanted to be - comfortable and successful in interacting with women.

On the flipside, the celebrity status also comes from being egregious.

When Britney appears in tabloids because she doesn't wear panties, she becomes a symbol of indecency and inappropriateness. Likewise for Jade Goody, Josef Fritz and Kim Jong Il for his continued belligerence.

Therefore, celebrity is a medium by which to regulate societal mores. By putting role models up on a pedestal, we give society an ideal to look up to. On the other hand, by putting the spotlight on those who deviate from the norm, we are able to judge and evaluate their actions and condemn them if necessary or emulate them if their actions are good.

There's probably a bit of evo psych in there too; something bout the regulating effects of shame and reputation in a tribal community that has survived to the 21st century.

Last edited by mal. (2009-09-20 09:19:19)

2009-09-22 16:35:19

#13

Ticia: Member; +73|5622

I would give my left arm to be a billionaire but i wouldn't want to be famous even if my life depend on it.

Celebrities are such a joke,most of them are just stupid people with big egos and fake personalities,nothing to admire at all.

2009-09-23 05:29:44

#14

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6510|Escea

The majority of 'celebrities' seem to have awful awful lives. I mean, look how often they have to tell the magazines about their woes, one after the other .

The title of celebrity is tossed around too much these days, given to anybody who appears on TV now, and its often given to the most absolutely useless person with a personality like a sack of dogshit, who is then looked up to by others, which is the worst thing that cna happen.

2009-09-23 11:02:48

#15

Flaming_Maniac: prince of insufficient light; +2,490|6994|67.222.138.85

M.O.A.B wrote:
The title of celebrity is tossed around too much these days, given to anybody who appears on TV now, and its often given to the most absolutely useless person with a personality like a sack of dogshit, who is then looked up to by others, which is the worst thing that cna happen.

Celebrity is anyone that most people know.

It's not a title thrown around, its a social matter of fact that we know everyone who most look up to.

2009-09-23 11:48:16

#16

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6510|Escea

Flaming_Maniac wrote:
M.O.A.B wrote:
The title of celebrity is tossed around too much these days, given to anybody who appears on TV now, and its often given to the most absolutely useless person with a personality like a sack of dogshit, who is then looked up to by others, which is the worst thing that cna happen.
Celebrity is anyone that most people know.

It's not a title thrown around, its a social matter of fact that we know everyone who most look up to.

I'm talking about the UK, and yes, it is.

2009-09-23 13:43:56

#17

loubot: O' HAL naw!; +470|6865|Columbus, OH

Reality/Internet Celebrities have deluded the meaning of celebrity. Perhaps it is me but I see more attention-getting/skank-appeal from these "new" celebrity rather than talent. For those who do have talent like the American Idol winners....I think the record, TV companies go on a massive campaign to bring up so much hyped (Disney/ jonas brothers) that people think they must be popular or grow to accept the new trend.

BF2S Forums Celebrity

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

AussieReaper wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

burnzz wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

M.O.A.B wrote:

Flaming_Maniac wrote:

M.O.A.B wrote:

Board footer