Perspectives: What’s Up With Modern Day Celebrity Obsession?

Is it just my imagination, or are we Americans more obsessed with celebrities than ever before? The worst part is, folks don’t seem to need talent anymore to achieve celebrity status – just a good gimmick, or enough time in the spotlight to garner a significant fan base – and they’ve jump started a lucrative career as a famous person. ‘Big’ names like, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie readily come to mind, but there are countless talentless individuals who have navigated the world of fame in a matter that implausible perhaps 10-15 years ago.

Associated Content presents an interesting piece that takes a look at Celebrity Worship Syndrome: that states “Given the amount of access we have to the media and the growth of the media, celebrities seem to be more a part of everyday life.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement. The media, Internet included, has allowed us access to facets of celebrity life that were not nearly as readily available prior to the introduction of the web. And stars and wannabe stars alike have naturally found a way to utilize modern day media to create buzz further their status – and starving egos as well.

I suspect there may be other factors at play that point to our growing infatuation with famous folks. Especially in this dire economy, distraction plays a key role in helping us to avoid some of the inevitable stress that permeates our everyday lives.

I suspect there may be other factors at play that point to our growing infatuation with famous folks. Especially in this dire economy, distraction plays a key role in helping us to avoid some of the inevitable stress that permeates our everyday lives. Why focus on your problems, when you can spend hours chatting about the tragedy of young lovers Chris Brown & Rihanna? And who needs to sulk behind your lack of shopping funds when you can surf the web to find pictures of Mary J. Blige on a perpetual shopping spree in the most expensive shopping districts of NYC?

The word star is an interesting one indeed. Stars are those amazing lights we look up to at night – beautiful mysterious entities that are well out of our reach. They appear so small to our eyes, but the mere fact that we can see them indicates their enormous size and immense power. Perhaps ‘star’ is incorrect title to give those who have managed to garner fame and fortune. In reality, celebrities are flesh and blood, just like us, but these days, the entertainment they provide includes virtually every aspect of their lives.