Hungry for the silver spoon: Assessing the effect of our celebrity-obsessed culture on the lower classes
Article Toolsby Mary Franz
The other night, Julian McMahon and I had a great night clubbing in Beverly Hills. I wore Versace, he chose Armani for the occasion. We did have a little trouble with the paparazzi when we left, but all was forgotten as we cruised away in Julian's Ferrari to his posh home. Of course, then I woke up.
Don't tell me you haven't had a similar fantasy. Celebrities live a life that most of us can only dream about. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a little star-gazed. Their lives just seem amazing to me. Sure, I'm a little envious, but am I hungry for the silver spoon? Does it affect the way I live? I like the idea of the silver spoon, but as Rudyard Kipling says in his poem "If:" "If you can dream and not make your dreams your master." That's the key. Remembering what's real.
When we see things like Michael Jackson's court case and all the fans that spent weeks of their lives camped outside the courthouse, that's when celebrity-obsession is a problem. When people forget to enjoy their own lives because they pale in comparison to a celebrity's life, that's when it's a problem. When we ignore real social issues and problems in the world because we'd rather keep up on some absurd celebrity-based story, that's when it's a problem.
If on occasion you close your eyes and imagine yourself living life in the fast lane, go for it. Just don't forget to open your eyes on Reality Road.
Learn more about this author, Mary Franz.
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