Should the papers be allowed to invade the privacy of celebrities – Part 2

Everyone should be entitled to a private life – even celebrities. I do not understand why some feel they are entitled to know everything about a celebrity’s life simply because they chose to be an actor or singer. Some may argue, “well, they knew what they were getting into” but my point is – should they have to “get into” this circus simply because they are a celebrity. They are not publicly elected officials where we may need to know whether their publicly stated convictions coincide with how they behave in “real life” but celebrities are just famous for the work they do on stage or film! So what!

Are our lives really so boring and unstimulated that we need to know the “dirt” on all the latest celebrity gossip? If so, shouldn’t we all maybe work a little harder at enhancing our own lives and resolving our own issues rather than focusing on a celebrity’s? Being a “public” person only means you WORK in the public – not LIVE in the public. Or so it should be! A lot of people work for the public such as teachers, policemen, crown corporation employees, etc. but we would not consider invading their privacy because we have been taught to show more respect. Celebrities only work requirement is to entertain their viewers. It is not their job to provide fodder for the gossip mill. Their private lives should remain private! It is not our business to know who is divorcing whom or who has a problem with drug and alcohol! Look around you. I’m sure you know plenty of people in your own circle of living where these same problems exist among friends and co-workers. Isn’t it better to spend our energy supporting and helping them? Shouldn’t they be our focus rather than celebrities?

On the internet, I’ve seen this growing obsession with Mary Kate Olsen and her alleged problem with eating disorders. I have seen young people write to her on message boards encouraging her and showing support. That in itself is well-intentioned but misguided. Children and teens should be taught that these celebrities have a huge entourage of friends, family and co-workers that are more than willing to help them. They also have huge sums of money with which to seek any help that is required. Get well wishes are better expressed to those we actually KNOW who are suffering. One young girl remarkably gave her full name, address and phone number to Mary-Kate Olsen on a message board asking her to call her if she needed to talk. How deluded are we when it comes to our (so-called) relationship with celebrities? It is reaching ridiculous proportions. By the way, I called the Internet Service Provider who owned the message board asking them to remove this personal information. I also then called the girl’s parents and asked them to have a talk with her daughter.

Let’s live and let live. We have all had embarrassing moments. We have all done stupid things in our lives which we deeply regret. Can you imagine if all of our faults and failings were publicized world-wide and critiqued? I think we might exercise a little self-control when it comes to our own curiosity about celebrities and demonstrate more compassion for those who have to walk this walk every day of their lives.

They entertain us through their movies, shows and songs. Let’s just appreciate it and leave it at that!

Why we care so much about celebrities – Part 18

Basically, people like to hear gossip and they like repeating gossip. But for gossip to be any good, one must know the person being talked about. Celebrities provide that persona that we in some way “know” them. So the media has taken it upon themselves to keep us informed about people we may have a recognition of, in the misguided assumption that we actually care.

The “care” issue has been created by the media. I don’t really care who’s having it off with whom, but it’s hard to avoid. I don’t buy magazines to find out what the latest celebrity gossip is. The media drowns me in the sufferings or the joy (not much of that) of these people.

The media has also taken it upon themselves to create celebrities. Honestly, if I were to flick through a “celebrity” magazine I would struggle to recognize half of the people they portray as famous. So how can I care about someone I don’t even know?

When we go to buy a car, we can only buy a car that the manufacturers have already made. If I remark “That’s a stupid looking car” someone will invariable state that the makers are just giving people what they want. Well nobody ever asked me what I want in a car. I have to choose from what’s there.

It is the same with the television or newspapers. I can only absorb what they choose to show me. I have never wondered about Britney Spears. If it weren’t for the media, I wouldn’t even know who she is. She does not impact on my life in any way, shape or form. But thanks to the media, I now know all about her. The only problem is, I don’t want to. If there is someone I am interested in, I don’t mind doing the research to find out about them. I shouldn’t be subjected to reports about people’s personal life that I don’t know and don’t want to know.

Care is not the correct word. Some of the general public may have an interest in certain people of fame. And some of the general public can become obsessed with celebrities. And granted, many women may care about what the other women are wearing. But I would not equate any of this into a personal form of caring.

Celebrities all want to be famous and then complain when they don’t get any privacy. I agree. The media should leave them alone and in turn I will quit shouting “I DON’T CARE” at the TV. If I want to know about Liz Taylor’s eight pound growth or Michael Jackson dangling babies off of the balcony, I’ll buy The National Enquirer.