Empty

There are often stories in the news about public figures with very private failings. The 24 hour news cycles and internet beast not only circulate stories, but fan the flames to ensure a juicy one stays alive for more ratings days, and more website hits.

Invariably, there will be stories and hand wringing discussions about role models, and failures, and disappointments. The problem is the pedestal that was original created for the man who has athletic prowess, or the woman who acts or sings well. At what point was it decided that "public figure" equals "role model?" In this culture of celebrity, you only need to be well known to be considered an authority by those who cynically will put you on the air to pad their own pockets by improving ratings, thus beginning a cycle in which you start to be taken semi-seriously, when in reality there is not there, there.

When will people learn.

Celebrities and athletes need to be seen as a diversion, an entertainment, and we need to find role models among people we really know, whose flaws are obvious. Why do people really still think they know celebrities, and why do they assume that a "very private" celebrity is one they know anything about? Celebrities will always disappoint since so much of their lives is unknown to most people, it's bound to end up not being what the "fans" want or expect.

I don't think role models should be perfect, if they were there would be no hope for us "mere mortals," but with celebrities we will always be blindsided by their shortcomings, because we never seem to expect or notice then until they blow up.

Real life people disappoint as well, but generally speaking when we look up to someone, we know where their shortcomings are, and though things will upset us when done by those we admire and trust, there's a history of behaviors and interactions that counteract the slips.

I'd venture to say the culture of celebrity has seeped so firmly into societal norms that no community is immune. In a community where there aren't "typical" celebrities, the wealthy take on that role, or perhaps it is foisted upon them. People talk about them, discuss their lives, mention encounters. There's no money spilling out of their pockets, so what makes them so interesting? What makes people NEED to name drop? Celebrity status. If a person davens with a wealthy guy he is that much closer to the wealthy man's celebrity, and celebrity seems to be what everybody wants.

Sad.