2008 Woodie Awards
Celebrity Worship: Sane?
Celebrities are worshipped every day by the masses. What if we did the same with fellow Macalesterite? Taylor Uggla brings the issue home.
By: Taylor Uggla, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
After seeing footage of Anna Nicole Smith's funeral on CBS News a few weeks ago, I began to wonder: Why is this being shown? Isn't Entertainment Tonight enough? Shouldn't I be watching real news?
It's not only Anna Nicole. A few months ago, I remember getting angry over some other form of celebrity gossip on the five o'clock news show. I don't remember what it was exactly; I think it pertained to hair or million-dollar mansions-in a word, ridiculous.
Even entertainment news goes too far when you think about it. Why do we worship celebrities so much?
Think about it. We admire celebrities because we think they're hot, or we want to be hot like them. This is why JLo's behind has become so famous, and why millions of girls nationwide adopted the "Rachel" hair cut a few years back.
It's kind of weird, and it led me to a think of a scary prospect: what would life be like if we worshipped everyday people at Macalester in the same way?
Imagine if you put up a 20- by 30- inch poster of your favorite school crush on your wall, or wore a T-shirt with his or her face plastered all over it. You might get a few weird looks, but how is this any different than what we do with celebrities? After all, they're just people.
Picture yourself following the every move of your favorite Macalesterite.
Oh my god, did you see what Sarah was wearing today? I've got to have it. I heard she likes eating at Pad Thai. Maybe if I go there this Friday I can get a glimpse. I heard her favorite color was blue. Oh my god, that's my favorite color! I think that means we're soul mates.
You could write fan letters, too. "Dear John, I really liked your work in Spanish class today. You make my mind reel. Maybe the next time I'm hanging out around your window we could have a chat. By the way, what's with calling Security on me?"
These scenarios might sound somewhat absurd, but in a way, much of the population acts this way towards the famous, and the number only increases if you put things on a less stalker-like level. After all, did we really go to Bateman Plaza on the 2004 Election Day for the sole reason of rallying spirit, or was it because Josh Hartnett and Sharon Stone were there? Why were there so many cameras clicking? Something tells me it wasn't for the pure joy of capturing our first vote on film.
It's not only Anna Nicole. A few months ago, I remember getting angry over some other form of celebrity gossip on the five o'clock news show. I don't remember what it was exactly; I think it pertained to hair or million-dollar mansions-in a word, ridiculous.
Even entertainment news goes too far when you think about it. Why do we worship celebrities so much?
Think about it. We admire celebrities because we think they're hot, or we want to be hot like them. This is why JLo's behind has become so famous, and why millions of girls nationwide adopted the "Rachel" hair cut a few years back.
It's kind of weird, and it led me to a think of a scary prospect: what would life be like if we worshipped everyday people at Macalester in the same way?
Imagine if you put up a 20- by 30- inch poster of your favorite school crush on your wall, or wore a T-shirt with his or her face plastered all over it. You might get a few weird looks, but how is this any different than what we do with celebrities? After all, they're just people.
Picture yourself following the every move of your favorite Macalesterite.
Oh my god, did you see what Sarah was wearing today? I've got to have it. I heard she likes eating at Pad Thai. Maybe if I go there this Friday I can get a glimpse. I heard her favorite color was blue. Oh my god, that's my favorite color! I think that means we're soul mates.
You could write fan letters, too. "Dear John, I really liked your work in Spanish class today. You make my mind reel. Maybe the next time I'm hanging out around your window we could have a chat. By the way, what's with calling Security on me?"
These scenarios might sound somewhat absurd, but in a way, much of the population acts this way towards the famous, and the number only increases if you put things on a less stalker-like level. After all, did we really go to Bateman Plaza on the 2004 Election Day for the sole reason of rallying spirit, or was it because Josh Hartnett and Sharon Stone were there? Why were there so many cameras clicking? Something tells me it wasn't for the pure joy of capturing our first vote on film.
Be the first to comment on this story