Celebrity Frenzy

“I think the Kardashian phenomena is
a great example of something that is
unimportantly important.
Why do we care? What do they even do? ”
Larry King

 

 

 

 

Donald Trump, part real estate mogul, t.v. star, and now the leader of a decaying but still powerful empire. He is not the first celebrity to wield political power, indeed Ronald Reagan, a mediocre actor but famous, became state governor and then president. He is however; the most important world leader in actuality (takes a sip of whisky) and part of his rise is due to the human psychological necessity of cult of personality.


This condition or aspect, is usually spoken about when referring to “strongman” led states in different moments of history: North Korea, Cuba, Russia, China, Spain, Italy, Germany, Rumania, Zaire, Central African Republic etc.
But there is another facet to it which involves celebrities, usually famous individuals in the realms of: entertainment, art, sports and in lesser aspects: philosophy and science.
We are in awe of these people because of their talents or works, at least that’s how it used to work in the majority of the cases. We currently now have celebrities who have no talent other than their fame. But when faced with the question: why is x famous? We do not know. What have they done? Or what talent to they have?

We tend to view these personalities with reverence, until the instant that they disappoint us then the love turns to hatred, very much the way borderline personality disorder deals with friendships or exes.

A generous portion of Trump supporters will follow him to the ends of the empire, no matter if he acts against their interests’. The same can be said of legions of followers of other “personalities”.

Ex president Barack Obama was the first celebrity leader of the 21st century. His appearance: non-caucasian, tall, handsome, smart, articulated, played his popularity card very well. The french president Macron played the youth card and his intellect to lure voters. Indeed the human being looks for luminaries in the darkness of their lives. A romantic infatuation that blinds us to the writing on the wall.

Our placing the celebrity on a pedestal does not stop with them, we even do it with their offspring, who although no more than 7 years old, can become the centre of focus on publications or festivals for no better reason than just being the child of somebody famous, quasi-royalty so to speak.

Some established media in their opinion section spoke of Meghan Markle’s wedding as an “event that would change Britain’s relationship with race forever.” In this romantic version of world events, Markle sitting on a royal carriage is as relevant as Rosa Parks sitting on a bus and refusing to surrender her seat.

Possessors of wealth, fame, beauty, are sacralized and in our era, symbolism reigns supreme. Public figures are turned into receptacles of dreams, desires, frustrations, ignoring the necessity to make sober political judgements.

The intellectuals in the left were charmed by Obama, oblivious to the policies that he carried out: stepped up deportations, massive surveillance of US citizens, spying on world leaders and allies, inquisitorial persecution of whistle-blowers, The Libya fiasco, absolved bankers of responsibility when they ruined millions, and the inauguration of extra-judicial executions of u.s. Citizens… the symbol proved emptier than reality.

I do not need to mention Trump’s policies that are antagonistic to his citizens because they are obvious.

Being fan of somebody is not poisonous in itself, as long as it doesn’t cloud our judgement.

Real change comes not from a celebrity but always comes through the sustained struggle of the nameless countless that remain and sometimes wish to be unsung.

Will this ever disappear? I doubt it, but it is important to be conscious of this condition in our own lives.