Is fame worth it? Or is it overrated?
By Awinds
@Awinds (2468)
United States
July 8, 2011 9:33pm CST
Our society has a preoccupation with the famous. There are whole industries of trends, news and gossip that revolve around the "somebodies." People dream of being idols for the masses to adore. They dream of wealth and of recognition from the world. But is fame always desirable? Is it possible that the consequences can outweigh the shine?
If you are famous and you fall, everyone gets to watch your decline and laugh (Britney Spears). You can be remembered as a scumbag back stabber or as just plain despicable (Benedict Arnold, King John of medieval England). Your actions or words can get you enemies quickly (Chris Brown). Personal issues and family problems become fodder the gossip column of every news publication (numerous celebrities). The failure of your life is recorded in the history book every generation after you to see (General Custard). Your tastes and sense of fashion are heavily criticized (numerous celebrities). If you develop insanity, your house will be made into a museum for everyone to gawk at (Sarah Winchester). In short, your flaws and the mistakes you make will be exposed for all the world to see. As a nobody, you can hide these things. Time can make the memory of mistakes of your life fade in the memories of those who know you. As a famous person whoever, these negative things are magnified and never go away. The bad things can even overshadow the talent or accomplishment that got you famous in the first place.
There is positive fame. Some people are famous for being leaders of note (George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elizabeth I), others for great compassion (Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale), still others for an outstanding talent (Michael Jordan, Mark Twain, Beethoven), and still more for landmark contributions to science and other fields (Einstein, Edward Jenner, Marie Curie, Leonardo da Vinci). In these cases, the esteemed people's positive accomplishments become their identity to the public - their negative attributes and actions are often overshadowed by the positive.
What do you think? Is fame worth it or not worth it? Is life easier as a nobody or as a somebody? Do you want to be famous?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
I don't like fame. I have been a introvert all my life and I'm used to being in the shadows or behind-the-scene. I don't why people crave too much on being recognized by other people. Granted, I have some of those aspirations but I will never subject myself to pure torture and ridicule by attempting something or being someone that I'm not.
I know fame has its advantages and disadvantages as you pointed out in your discussion. But the real fuel for fame is the motivation of some people and their disillusionment that all things will be better is one is famous. People usually don't usually entertainment the bad side of things and narrow their sights on the advantages. That's why sometimes I don't blame the media for hounding them and sneaking to famous people's lives becuase technically they signed up for it. This like reading a contract without reading the fine print. Even if they did read the fine print, they go anyway.
I cannot fathom what famous people think of their fame and the consequences of it. It's out of my league and I can only watch from a far - always the outside looking in. However, I like to think that we have choices and we had decisions. The only thing to do is make them and have a commitment to that decision.
Perhaps, on reflection, it is the famous people who will determine if all of the fame and its trappings are worth it or not.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
13 Jul 11
It seems many look at the stories in the movies and equate fame with easy street and happiness. They forget that fame is like a contract, not only is there small print but there is also obligations and duties. Fame is a thing to manage - and it is a beast at that. Your every step is on glass because the media knows all the details of your life. I would not desire to be famous and have all of my personal fiascoes on the gossip column of People Magazine.
@EthanWan (42)
• China
9 Jul 11
Firstly, I have to say that everyone has his/her attitude of life.Someone want to be famous while the other,as you said,just want to be nobody.As it for me,I won't pursue the fame strongly,since what I want is to complete my job earnestly and work hard to achieve my goal step by step,and finally reach the value of my life.But I also don't hate of being famous.Because that means I have more opportunity to know much more things and people.What more important is that probably I will be able to help others with my charisma,like many famous star are doing now.So in my opinion,whether you are famous is not the key,but do you realize your own value.The fame is not the goal I am seeking,but the process of achiving my goal.Everyone may become famous oneday,since you never know what will happen the next moment,but we must be responsible for the focus and supporter from others.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
17 Jul 11
It all depends on what you want out of life. many Want to be famous. Famous for what? They don;t care as long as they are famous. But for many they just go out and do what they Always wanted to do And Then become famous, ( Kurt Cobain) Now I believe he wanted to play music and be successful , but famous, really famous? I don't think so. It seemed to make him more sad. and it didn't end well. The same sadly with Princess Di. all she wanted was to marry Charles . The fame came afterward. I do not think a Then 19-20 year old Di was planning to be hounded by the press for the rest of her life! So fame can come even if you don't seek it. Is it worth it? It depends. For many they see all of this as an necessary evil.They get to act , what they always wanted, and they are so good , the press deem them a star and boom fame appears.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
9 Jul 11
I think it is so nice to be famous. Look at those actors and actresses, having nice houses and cars. They have lots of money. That's what makes being famous nice.
However, if the price of being famous, is for your love life and family life is to go down the drain because of too much lies about you, then, i don't want to be famous.
@alquizar (480)
• Philippines
12 Jul 11
Fame is good because most of the people loves you but the fact is you don't have your own privacy because they are familiar with you and most of the time issues and intrigues usually happen even if it is a small or big issue.Sometimes people who are famous abuse their self in such situation by using their fame in order for them to be excused in a particular situation which sometimes bother or concern other people.
@nordqvist11 (118)
• Mexico
9 Jul 11
I'd say the good thing about fame is that you are always loved by someone. The bad thing is that the press are always on top of how you live your life. You can't have your own privacy and people will keep on poking their noses in your life. I quite like not being famous as I can be my own person and not have media on me.
