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A Celebrity's Opinion. Who Cares?

Gilbert Syndrome said:
Mundine is an actual imbecile, and I'm not sure if many people who aren't mentally challenged pay any actual attention to the things that he says. He once said something along the lines of the USA deserved 9/11, so yeah, imbecile. What's even funnier is he's a **** boxer and has been rightfully KO'd a few times.
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Being KO'd and otherwise beaten around the head over the years, would hardly enhance his mental agility I would think. And yet he opens his mouth and his utterances find their way into print. Why is this so? :confused:
 
Here's the thing. The utter near total saturation of information is a double edged sword.

It's near impossible to quarantine or censor an idea anymore. But by that same token is impossible to have information you're forced to listen to, unless one wants to invoke absurdist "OH GOD I BRIEFLY SAW A KARDASSIAN ON TV FOR .00004 PICOSECONDS WHILE CHANNEL SURFING!" nonsense.

So basically if you're complaining about having to listen to either celebrity opinions in general or a specific celebrity's opinion my answer... then stop going out of your way to listen to them. Problem solved.

Unless you're one of those people for whom seeking out things to get angry about is a core part of your psyche.
 
JoeMorgue said:
Here's the thing. The utter near total saturation of information is a double edged sword.

It's near impossible to quarantine or censor an idea anymore. But by that same token is impossible to have information you're forced to listen to, unless one wants to invoke absurdist "OH GOD I BRIEFLY SAW A KARDASSIAN ON TV FOR .00004 PICOSECONDS WHILE CHANNEL SURFING!" nonsense.

So basically if you're complaining about having to listen to either celebrity opinions in general or a specific celebrity's opinion my answer... then stop going out of your way to listen to them. Problem solved.

Unless you're one of those people for whom seeking out things to get angry about is a core part of your psyche.
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Nah, that's not me at all ..... you?

Mind you you would have to be living under a rock to not hear about this crap being given media coverage. I'm talking about mainstream media here, the ABC of Australia, not some fringes rag.
 
lionking said:
What the OP doesn’t say is that Falou’s contract prohibits him from publicly making homophobic and similar slurs, and he has been warned about this in the past. So no sympathy whatsoever from me. He can believe in what he wants, but can’t broadcast hateful stuff.

A journalist asked what would happen if you wore a t-shirt to work with Falou’s words on it. I don’t know about others, but I would be sent home and told not to do it again. In Falou’s case he’s been told “yes, we know what you believe, but just wear a jacket while at work”.

He wouldn’t even do this. He will be sacked.
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If this is the criticism I have some sympathy with him, although I don't have any with his views on religion or sexuality.

Falou 'works' for 80 mins on a Saturday, along with times he is training and attending official functions. When can a rugby player step aside from that and express a personal opinion? It can't be right that to play rugby you are 24/7 denied the right to an opinion until you give up the game. There must, in my view, be an opportunity for a rugby player to put on civvies and to make a personal comment that is not seen as a statement on behalf of the ARFU.

If nothing else we will be able to spot the ********* earlier rather than feeding them loads of money and honours only to find out they are twats once they retire. See Margaret Court.
 
Thor 2 said:
Mind you you would have to be living under a rock to not hear about this crap being given media coverage. I'm talking about mainstream media here, the ABC of Australia, not some fringes rag.
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I will propose that "being made aware of" and "having to listen to in any meaningful sense" are different.

Again no you can't avoid celebrities, which includes their opinions, 100% but you not forced to listen to their opinions in anything but passing.

Again if our standards our "I've briefly been made aware of a celebrity's opinion in passing because it's become part of our social discourse for whatever reason" then no you will never escape "the opinions of celebrities" but that's a bit unreasonable to expect in my opinion.

You aren't forced to listen to celebrity opinions on any meaningful level and you certainly aren't required to care about them.

We also can't go to far and start getting mad at celebrities simply for having opinions or expecting to act "neutral" in all public scenarios. Their opinions should not be elevated above anyone else's, but neither should we expect them to be opinion-less automotons simply because they are in the public eye.
 
JoeMorgue said:
I will propose that "being made aware of" and "having to listen to in any meaningful sense" are different.

Again no you can't avoid celebrities, which includes their opinions, 100% but you not forced to listen to their opinions in anything but passing.

Again if our standards our "I've briefly been made aware of a celebrity's opinion in passing because it's become part of our social discourse for whatever reason" then no you will never escape "the opinions of celebrities" but that's a bit unreasonable to expect in my opinion.

You aren't forced to listen to celebrity opinions on any meaningful level and you certainly aren't required to care about them.

We also can't go to far and start getting mad at celebrities simply for having opinions or expecting to act "neutral" in all public scenarios. Their opinions should not be elevated above anyone else's, but neither should we expect them to be opinion-less automotons simply because they are in the public eye.
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Seems like you are trying very hard to make some sort of argument here although Christ knows what it is.

The obvious point I am making, is it's absurd that the media report the utterances of these celebrities, regardless of the obvious lack of intellect behind them. It is also absurd that there are mindless fans who hang on every word these fools utter.
 
Are you sure you aren't only upset when a celebrity advocates for something you think is useless, stupid or don't support yourself?
 
Oh such penetrating perception ServiceSoon!

Mind you I am still waiting for a celebrity to make a statement that I endorse. I will let you know when that happens. :)
 
The classy thing for celebrities to do is use their visibility to champion charitable causes rather than political ones. I don't give a damn what Jerry Lewis thought about letting Syrian refugees into the US. I do however admire his stellar work fundraising for muscular dystrophy research.
 
TragicMonkey said:
The classy thing for celebrities to do is use their visibility to champion charitable causes rather than political ones. I don't give a damn what Jerry Lewis thought about letting Syrian refugees into the US. I do however admire his stellar work fundraising for muscular dystrophy research.
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Yep and why aids research should never be such a cause as it is political. See all the rage against lack of aids research and Reagan as a clear example.

So sick kids OK, kids in cages way to political for any celebrity.
 
ponderingturtle said:
Yep and why aids research should never be such a cause as it is political. See all the rage against lack of aids research and Reagan as a clear example.

So sick kids OK, kids in cages way to political for any celebrity.
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One day I'll read a post of yours that isn't of the dog in a manger variety.
 
arthwollipot said:
There are plenty of celebrities who use their celebrity status to champion progressive causes.
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I have to hand it to you arth you've got me there. :o

Mind you I add the proviso that although I do condone a celebrity using his/her status to further a worthy cause I will be dismissive of their opinion about issues they have no expertise in. If they have such expertise, and better still, refer to studies supporting their stance, that's another story.
 
Thor 2 said:
I have to hand it to you arth you've got me there. :o

Mind you I add the proviso that although I do condone a celebrity using his/her status to further a worthy cause I will be dismissive of their opinion about issues they have no expertise in. If they have such expertise, and better still, refer to studies supporting their stance, that's another story.
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And this is where the political/non-political divide tends to weaken.

Is it unthinkable that an actor can become more and better informed about a political issue than a politician?

If they do, should they keep quiet on the subject simply because their platform derives from their celebrity as an actor rather than their celebrity as a politician?
 
quadraginta said:
And this is where the political/non-political divide tends to weaken.

Is it unthinkable that an actor can become more and better informed about a political issue than a politician?

If they do, should they keep quiet on the subject simply because their platform derives from their celebrity as an actor rather than their celebrity as a politician?
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No of course it is possible for a celebrity to gain some expertise on a subject, and certainly become more learned than a politician - given the lack of intellectual depth of many politicians.

My point is that it should not be accepted as a given, that celebrities have some special insight that the average guy in the street doesn't.
 
ServiceSoon said:
Their audience has an imaginary relationship with the celebrity? That is concerning.
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Yes, people do have a "relationship" (the word used was "connection" but anyway) with their favourite celebrities. Sometimes, people have unhealthy relationships with their favourite celebrities.
 
theprestige said:
I don't think it's about them having a special insight. It's about them having a special connection with their audience.
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Oh wow really!

How is that a contradiction, and is not the special feeling the audience have for the celebrity the problem? A feeling that overrides any realistic assessment, about the celebrities expertise on a subject, as they slavishly follow the guidance of said celebrity.
 
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