Our Celebrity Culture
May 13, 2009
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Posted by Michael S. Langston
First, a quick disclaimer. I am not a normal reader of Time Magazine, due to articles such as the one I’ll discuss below, but I do not generally blame the media overall for their consistent coverage of non-events.
Of course one might argue that the media has a moral responsibility to report real events, but I’ve given up on the idea that almost anyone will do anything for any reason other than their personal gratification, especially as it relates to media figures in general.
Either way – In the most recent issue of Time, they proposed a list of people titled The World’s Most Influential People (complete list here).
In just a quick cursory glance at who the editors of Time believe are influential you will notice that 20 of those listed, or for the non-mathematically inclined among us, 20% of the list is, made up of artists and entertainers.
Now, as is true in a mainly free market, the issues with having this many entertainers is not only an editorial decision, but an economic one as well.
As our culture continues to consume crap such the most recent missing rich white girl, celebrity adoptions, and zoo births, someone will continue to supply it for a price.
I just wonder if any of the consumers or producers of this information realize what a short sighted list this truly is?
As I quietly asked myself, how many actors during the time of Shakespeare’s writings are still remembered today? How many violinists playing for Mozart? How many athletes from the Olympic games?
Categories: Culture
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