It was only a momentary slice of footage, something I saw in passing, and it was one of those things that, for whatever reason, struck me—what I saw and the effect it had on me was instant, palpable, and surreal.
It's projection; the concept that we will identify in others those traits we cannot - or refuse to - see in ourselves.
As members of society become increasingly unanchored to something greater than themselves, and in turn less sure of themselves, they will more and more frequently find someone onto which they can project their deepest longing. Some of these recipients of the projection can handle it, some abuse the privilege (if that is even a proper descriptor), and some crumple under the pressure, unable to carry the burden of what's projected onto them, diving into substance abuse or suicide. Marilyn Monroe comes to mind.
But in the end, personal unfulfillment projected onto others is all it is. And sadly, far too many people in Celebritydom are willing to embrace that role and become idols - gods, even - to those who lack psychological strength.
I agree with you that the glitz and glamour and our fawning over celebs can be over-the-top nauseating but they are just playing into the vapid adulation of their audience. Blame the fans, blame you and me for giving this weight just by posting about it. Surely, anyone good at what they do deserves recognition for their achievements, and Hollywood is more than actors. It's the DPs, editors, costume and set designers, etc who often go unnoticed and way underpaid. I just wish, as you said, we let the real heroes, those who save puppies and give kidneys and work food banks, take center stage. Those stories bring tears to my eyes.
Very well written. There was a time when many of the people that were in Hollywood I would consider actual hero's. Many of them served their country. They were much humbler had a different viewpoint as well. Many of the musicians that get idolized now days are gangsters that don't leave those ties behind. I agree there is nothing wrong with fame, but they are people just like all of us. I met Dean Cain while I was in Iraq. He was visiting wounded soldiers. He came out of a room with tears in his eyes. He shows he is a real person with real compassion for people. He had no media following along like some stars do when they visit war zones. Personally, John Wayne is still one of my favorites and he only won 2 Academy awards.
It's projection; the concept that we will identify in others those traits we cannot - or refuse to - see in ourselves.
As members of society become increasingly unanchored to something greater than themselves, and in turn less sure of themselves, they will more and more frequently find someone onto which they can project their deepest longing. Some of these recipients of the projection can handle it, some abuse the privilege (if that is even a proper descriptor), and some crumple under the pressure, unable to carry the burden of what's projected onto them, diving into substance abuse or suicide. Marilyn Monroe comes to mind.
But in the end, personal unfulfillment projected onto others is all it is. And sadly, far too many people in Celebritydom are willing to embrace that role and become idols - gods, even - to those who lack psychological strength.
I agree with you that the glitz and glamour and our fawning over celebs can be over-the-top nauseating but they are just playing into the vapid adulation of their audience. Blame the fans, blame you and me for giving this weight just by posting about it. Surely, anyone good at what they do deserves recognition for their achievements, and Hollywood is more than actors. It's the DPs, editors, costume and set designers, etc who often go unnoticed and way underpaid. I just wish, as you said, we let the real heroes, those who save puppies and give kidneys and work food banks, take center stage. Those stories bring tears to my eyes.
Very well written. There was a time when many of the people that were in Hollywood I would consider actual hero's. Many of them served their country. They were much humbler had a different viewpoint as well. Many of the musicians that get idolized now days are gangsters that don't leave those ties behind. I agree there is nothing wrong with fame, but they are people just like all of us. I met Dean Cain while I was in Iraq. He was visiting wounded soldiers. He came out of a room with tears in his eyes. He shows he is a real person with real compassion for people. He had no media following along like some stars do when they visit war zones. Personally, John Wayne is still one of my favorites and he only won 2 Academy awards.