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Post by Imaginary Gary on Mar 25, 2008 22:42:52 GMT
I thought I would start a thread for discussion on celebrity culture in today’s society.
I mainly thought this because this is the topic on which I am writing my dissertation, and apparently internet forums are now a valid way of doing primary research.
Aside from that I obviously also have a genuine interest in this topic, and it seems extremely relevant to this forum and is often touched upon, so I would like to hear your further opinions. Opinions on things like:
- Why do you think we as a society are so obsessed with celebrity? - Do you think it is a healthy obsession? - What kind of qualities would you say are required from a celebrity? - Do you think the media’s fixation with celebrity is becoming too much?
Thank you!
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Post by Rad on Mar 25, 2008 22:58:11 GMT
As a pernickety media studies teacher, I would say that you should never use the phrase 'today's society' because it means fuck all.
Beyond that... there has always been come sort of culture of celebrity in most (if not all) societies. The difference with contemporary Britain and America is that there are so many of them now, and so many are famous for trival things...
I could go into a boring educational discussion here. But I won't.
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Post by [james] on Mar 25, 2008 23:26:18 GMT
I don't think it's unhealthy per se. It depends on the extent on idolisation really.
Personally, if I come across someone whose primary idol is someone who does nothing but partying (Hilton-loving gays, I mean you!) I tend to take it as a warning as their own vaccuous nature. People's role models speak volumes about themselves so it can be used as a shorthand to their own personality, or lack thereof. I'd much rather be friends with someone who wants to be the next Julie Burchill or Charlie Brooker than Nicole Richie or Victoria Beckham only because I imagine we'd have more in common. Plus we could go for lunch not just a bottle of water.
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Post by [james] on Mar 26, 2008 0:04:35 GMT
Anyone who's from a place with a small gay scene can sympathise with that. I know more about random gays love lives and shoe sizes than I do about some relatives. If I meet someone out I'm not surprised if they know my name or my exes or anything like that because between small scene gossip and Facebook it's almost expected.
Celebrity just seems to be an extension of the 'popular kids' at school. You hate them but everyone still talks about them.
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fused
Su Pollard
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Post by fused on Mar 26, 2008 10:29:18 GMT
I suppose if there is a way of making cash from existing and doing things most people do (get married, have children, go to clubs, go to the shops) then you can't blame the 'famous for being famous' for cashing in, especially if they don't have an actual career to risk from too much information about their personal life.
I'm not sure celebrities are idolised though, at least not completely. I don't read 'celeb' magazines or internet sites, so I'm not sure how accurate my view is on this, but the sort of publications that talk about celebrities the most also seem to be very bitchy about them and always taking the piss out of them. Maybe it's simply some people and the press need to have something 'light' to talk about, and some people are willing to do anything to be talked about.
Personally, I wouldn't be able to understand anybody who idolises Paris Hilton.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2008 11:28:19 GMT
Every society has celebrities, they're just dressed up as something else. Be them ancient gods to worship, or ahtletes at the Olympic games, or the latest sap from Big Brother. Humans, as a species, are incredibily similar to each other, you get the same mix of people and behaviour in a small village as you do in a major city. In other words, same shit, different place.
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Post by Muinimula on Mar 26, 2008 11:42:24 GMT
When I get round to writing it, this is what my musical is going to be about. Not much help at the moment, I know.
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Post by coxy1979 on Mar 26, 2008 12:29:29 GMT
It could be linked to the breakdown of what some call "respect" in today's society.
Before, people looked up to politicians and the royal family as paragons of society. I'd say there came a point (late seventies) where the establishment was really challenged, and we needed someone else to aspire to be.
Before, you needed something of a special ability or talent to become a celebrity. You had to act, sing, run really fast etc.
Now all you need is to go on a talent show - something that really appeals to those who may have missed out on educational opportunities earlier on in life.
Of course, I could be talking bollocks...
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