by Carrie-Ann Campbell

Created on: July 24, 2008   Last Updated: February 06, 2010

Breaking News: Britney's knickers are showing!

While I am sure that Brits finds it flattering that her hemline is of more importance than yet another war in the Middle East and the release of yet more un-named paedophiles into society, one has to wonder what on earth is going on in the strange minds of tabloid editors.

We live in a Celebrity Culture; in today's society, celebs are the closest thing we have to aristocracy now, our modern uber-class, if you will. It is human nature to devour any news of those who regularly fall from grace, greedily grabbing onto any hints of orange-peel skin, embarrassing tan faux-pas,a botched boob job.

Why? Because in our society, celebrities are our pedestal. They seem almost god-like, rich, with a strange power that even our most formidable politicians do not seem to possess.

More people seem to pay attention to Bob Geldorf's speeches about the environment than David Cameron. While celebrities do not ask for this particular power, it seems that they use it irresponsibly. Our nation's media enhance and hone these creatures to perfection, creating the perfect man or woman, our paragon, our ideal. And what is the only thing better than building up a tremendous idol? Bringing it back down to our level and destroying it, of course.

As to the effect the afore-mentioned celebrities have upon our society? I have to say it's mostly negative. Although they do not ask for the amount of attention they receive, they maintain an image that is terrifying. To me, celebrities are symbolic of an age where beauty, where fashion and superficiality are more important than your education, than your sense of self.

The world of the celebrity is one where drugs, sex and beauty are traded on a daily basis. Social and physical capital are more important than educational capital. Models throw themselves at photographers in the hopes of securing a fashion shoot. Celebrities snort cocaine, drink vast amounts of alcohol, ingest mounain of sleeping pills often at the encouragement of their agent, who recommends that they go a fewe days without eating to speed up their metabolism. Celebrities strike me as being eternal children, particularly those who have been introduced to the lifestyle at an early age. Psychologically, people only grow up by living through the tough times that life throws at you. Celebrities live in a cushioned world where little of this registers.

And their selfish attitude encourages others in society to think the same way.
As much money

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