A Celebrity's Opinion. Who Cares?

[Thor 2]

Celebrities that go out and share their opinion on almost any social or political topic come across like the dumbasses they are, almost universally. I used to hope that, after some time, people would realize that their idolizing of these people is silly, but I don't think that is going to happen. Too many dum dums.

How can we end "celebrityism" for the greater good?

Most certainly agree it would be "for the greater good" but don't know how it can be done. There seems to be some sort of perception, among the celebrity doting cretins, that the famous are somehow "in the know".

 

[Thor 2]

Finally! Agree 100% ...

Celebrity Football Player? .. tell me the best way to gain better balance, and control the ball during a game!

Celebrity Rock Star? ... tell me how to party and use drugs!

Celebrity Classic Violinist? Tell me how music makes You feel!

Celebrity SitCom Actress? ... Tell me how much money you make again! And describe your favourite bra

They have LOTS to say ... and I enjoy their opinion IN THE LIMITS OF THEIR EXPERTISE as described by example above!

 

[Dr. Keith]

Most certainly agree it would be "for the greater good" but don't know how it can be done. There seems to be some sort of perception, among the celebrity doting cretins, that the famous are somehow "in the know".

I don't think it is that at all. I think it is reinforcing an already well formed opinions by seeing that people you like for another reason agree with you on that opinion.

If I like Mell Gibson as an actor but don't share his weird views, then his weird views make his movies weird for me. I may still enjoy them or I may not. But it is unlikely I will start adopting his weird views if I previously disagreed with them completely. He is just an actor. But, If I like Mel Gibson as an actor and I share some of his weird views, then that just means that those views aren't so weird. Even Mel ******* Gibson agrees with me!

Where this neat theory of mine breaks down is when you move from celebrity to leader. If a celebrity shares your views on enough things you may adopt them as some sort of leader, a source for further beliefs, whether they be Paltrow or Trump. Then they actually do have the power to change formerly held beliefs. They can convince sane women to stick a jade egg inside them or Christian conservatives to vote for a philanderer. That is where it gets very weird.

 

[casebro]

Wow. I can tick five of those.

Six out of seven.

Ive hug out with people who are going to hell, just as sure as there is a hell. (there ain't)

And I've hung with people who think they are going to heaven (there ain't one o them neither).

The hell-bound crowd is a lot more fun. And I learned a LOT about life from them.

And those hellions didn't even play football. Pool, darts, poker, spin the barmaid...

 

[Thor 2]

I don't think it is that at all. I think it is reinforcing an already well formed opinions by seeing that people you like for another reason agree with you on that opinion.

If I like Mell Gibson as an actor but don't share his weird views, then his weird views make his movies weird for me. I may still enjoy them or I may not. But it is unlikely I will start adopting his weird views if I previously disagreed with them completely. He is just an actor. But, If I like Mel Gibson as an actor and I share some of his weird views, then that just means that those views aren't so weird. Even Mel ******* Gibson agrees with me!

Where this neat theory of mine breaks down is when you move from celebrity to leader. If a celebrity shares your views on enough things you may adopt them as some sort of leader, a source for further beliefs, whether they be Paltrow or Trump. Then they actually do have the power to change formerly held beliefs. They can convince sane women to stick a jade egg inside them or Christian conservatives to vote for a philanderer. That is where it gets very weird.

Well it occurs to me there may be a flip side to this. If I had an opinion on some issue and found Mel Gibson had a similar view, I would put my opinion under very close scrutiny, suspecting it may be flawed.

 

[wasapi]

Well it occurs to me there may be a flip side to this. If I had an opinion on some issue and found Mel Gibson had a similar view, I would put my opinion under very close scrutiny, suspecting it may be flawed.

I would agree with this under most all circumstances. And yet, I still like watching some old Woody Allen movies. As a human being, Allen disgusts me. I have no idea if he molested his toddler daughter or not. There are plenty of things about him that are so repulsive.

The twisted man is still defending Bill Cosby! But back to his films. Every few years I re-watch Annie Hall, the one where he is a mumbling bank robber. Two or three others. I don't understand, it's just the way it is.

 

[quadraginta]

I have some respect for the fundamentalists. At least they are honest about the implications of their beliefs.

Honest? Mebbe.

But they don't let those beliefs interfere with their selection of people they think are fit to run the country.

Not anymore, that is.

 

[Thor 2]

I would agree with this under most all circumstances. And yet, I still like watching some old Woody Allen movies. As a human being, Allen disgusts me. I have no idea if he molested his toddler daughter or not. There are plenty of things about him that are so repulsive.

The twisted man is still defending Bill Cosby! But back to his films. Every few years I re-watch Annie Hall, the one where he is a mumbling bank robber. Two or three others. I don't understand, it's just the way it is.

Yes, no argument with that but it's not my point. I can appreciate the on stage abilities of many performers, (even Tom Cruise), but have no interest in their opinion about things, beyond their area of expertise. Acting is a very narrow area of expertise.

 

[shemp]

Wow. I can tick five of those.

Amateur!

 

[8enotto]

Mike Rowe campaigning for getting shop classes back in schools or some pop star bra filler telling us about fur and eating meat?

There are degrees of the useful level of the message.

 

[Norman Alexander]

"Warning – Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters. HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES" was the post.

He wasn't just targeting homosexuals, I think we are all going to hell hehe.

I know people who scored 11 out of 8 of those...

Not me, though. I'm pretty boring - maybe only three or four?

Izzy has got the preaching bug pretty good though. Word I hear is he was preaching to at the rugby team before games, and a few of the boys got a little pissed off and told him to pull his head in. Now, Izzy's a big guy. But some of the Wallaby forwards are the veritable eight foot tall brick outhouses on legs. Big units, as they say. And when they tell you to take a seat and be quiet, that's what you do. Izzy probably got annoyed about that, hence the outburst.

 

[Arcade22]

Isn't it kinda circular? People care about the opinions of celebrities (and other notable publicly prominent individuals) because celebrities are notable publicly prominent individuals that people care about.

 

[Thor 2]

Isn't it kinda circular? People care about the opinions of celebrities (and other notable publicly prominent individuals) because celebrities are notable publicly prominent individuals that people care about.

Don't know what you mean by circular. This Israel Folau dude is a rugby star and some folk probably just hang on his every word.

 

[MRC_Hans]

"Warning – Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, Atheists, Idolaters. HELL AWAITS YOU. REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES" was the post.

He wasn't just targeting homosexuals, I think we are all going to hell hehe.

AH, my instinctive reactions to such people is, "Hell? ... No problem, as long as I'm sure I won't spend Eternity in the company of people like YOU."

Hans

 

[Cheetah]

Don't know what you mean by circular. This Israel Folau dude is a rugby star and some folk probably just hang on his every word.

People care about the opinion of Folau and hang on his every word, because he is a notable publicly prominent individual that people care about.

 

[Lothian]

In the news in Australia we have one Israel Folau, (a rugby champ), getting a lot of attention, as a result of expressing intolerant, religiously inspired, views about homosexuals and such. Simultaneously we have Anthony Mundine, (ex boxer), talking up anti vaccination.

I wonder why people give a damn what these guys views are on these topics. It annoys the crap out of me that it gets reported. Does being a rugby player or a boxer give a guy some special insight into these issues? These uninformed and bigoted views are not news.

I agree 100% but really think to get your message to a wider audience you should try to get a celebrity endorsement.

 

[TurkeysGhost]

In the news in Australia we have one Israel Folau, (a rugby champ), getting a lot of attention, as a result of expressing intolerant, religiously inspired, views about homosexuals and such. Simultaneously we have Anthony Mundine, (ex boxer), talking up anti vaccination.

I wonder why people give a damn what these guys views are on these topics. It annoys the crap out of me that it gets reported. Does being a rugby player or a boxer give a guy some special insight into these issues? These uninformed and bigoted views are not news.

Two sides of the same coin. People are fascinated with celebrities, and this fascination brings many benefits. It also brings heightened scrutiny.

Every time some celebrity complains about the negatives, they should take a look at their exorbitant paychecks and remember that this is exactly what they signed up for.

 

[arthwollipot]

People care about the opinion of Folau and hang on his every word, because he is a notable publicly prominent individual that people care about.

Prominent sports people are more susceptible to this than actors or other kinds of celebrity. Young people really do look up to and admire their sports heroes. Personally I think it's a bit of a problem with Big Sport culture. I mean, they're not exactly renowned for their intelligence. Their skills are elsewhere, so it's hardly surprising when some famous sports person says something breathtakingly stupid. But because they're good at their game, kids listen.

 

[Thor 2]

Prominent sports people are more susceptible to this than actors or other kinds of celebrity. Young people really do look up to and admire their sports heroes. Personally I think it's a bit of a problem with Big Sport culture. I mean, they're not exactly renowned for their intelligence. Their skills are elsewhere, so it's hardly surprising when some famous sports person says something breathtakingly stupid. But because they're good at their game, kids listen.

Exactly! And this is an issue that parents and school teachers should address.

Big sport culture is something society as a whole should do something about. I am amazed at the sums of money big sport people are given. I only watch sports I play or have played and that is seldom. I have other things to do that are much more rewarding.

 

[The Atheist]

Personally I think it's a bit of a problem with Big Sport culture. I mean, they're not exactly renowned for their intelligence.

Except that's not traditionally the case with Aussie rugby. It's always been the thinking Aussie's game, and has the stats to prove it, with a glittering post-rugby line up of successful businessmen.

What it shows is that rugby should leave the worst boofheads to league, where they belong.