Parasocial Parasites and Modern Celebrities

It’s Tuesday night again and we are all amped to tune into our favorite reality TV show where we finally get to see if our favorite infamous celebrity’s life is going to change for the better. Let me be clear from the start, I detest these types of shows. Mostly because the plot for every episode is essentially the same. There is a problem with one of the people on the show, and then, by the end of the hour, they have solved their problem through some means. In reality, the “problem” was a plot point to make you care more about the person. However, there is another reason I don’t like these programs: the disillusion of what celebrities are. In the olden days of Hollywood and entertainment media, celebrities were on another level. They were idols that we cherished and made sure to appreciate by consuming their television shows, movies, books, etc. We knew they worked hard to get where they were and the only way we could enter their world was to put in as much work as they did. We also knew they were not just approachable like our local friends. We admired them on television and if we ever got the chance to meet them, we were nervous we would upset them. We also loved to read the tabloids on them, but knew that ultimately their private lives were their own. The reality stars of the modern era, destroyed all of this. First, we do not see them as idols or “greater-thans.” In fact, it often appears as though there is little work done and they become famous. “Watch me put on my make-up, I am going to the grocery store.” A camera follows them and, boom, they are famous. What stops us from doing the same. Second, we feel really comfortable approaching them. We are not nervous, because we know everything about them and they seem like normal people day-to-day. We are even shocked when they are angry because they cannot get any peace. Third, and probably the most important issue, the parasocial relationships we develop with these “celebrities.” They have no personal lives. A camera follows them 24/7 so any tabloids are just telling us what they have already made into an episode of their show. This is where the newsflash comes for most people. Just because we do know a lot about these celebrities, does not mean they are our friends. In fact, most of them would not like us, if they really got to know us. We become parasocial parasites, because we feel like we know them personally and therefore, we should know everything about them, not just what they put out into the world. We should know who they are married to, if they are pregnant, when they showered last, etc. This is inherently wrong. Just like a normal person needs their privacy, these “celebrities,” no matter how famous, should not have to share every waking minute of their lives, even if this is what made them famous to begin with. But that is just one man’s opinion. Thanks for listening to me ramble. I appreciate it. See you next time.

Dependability on the Hour

In our lifetime, we have all had moments where someone is counting on us. Whether it be a school project, a work assignment, a trip to the airport, or even just showing up on time for an event, we all have had a moment when we were needed. Some people are just not dependable though. We all have a flake in our lives. Individuals who never work their “dependability muscle” out. I am not spitting hyperbole here. Dependability can be trained. I, myself, used to always be late to everything, and while I do believe that showing up early to something is a nuance of people with a micromanaging problem, I do try to be somewhere at the time set if at all possible. However, I had to train myself to get better at getting somewhere at that perfect time. It took many trial and error attempts, and I was still labeled a guy always late to the party for years, but I did succeed at getting better at my tardiness. I am now seen as a very dependable person to be counted on. Everyone can do this. Some people are naturally dependable and don’t have to worry about it, but for those who aren’t, it is as simple as making effort to be better. It is not going to happen overnight. Most things seldom do. However, with repeated practice and some fortitude, we can all get better at being a person anyone can count on for whatever is needed. How hard you train this “muscle” is up to you though. You may not want to be the one that always has an answer to Murphy’s Law and that is fine. The least you could do though is get good enough to be able to pick someone up for a wedding that you were supposed to do karaoke for and be on time for all of it with the singing machine in hand. Of course, you only agreed to do all that because of that time you were supposed to bring the poster for that science project but forgot about it. Hopefully all will be forgiven if you were dependable enough to learn all the lyrics to Blackalicious’s Alphabet Aerobics. But that is just one man’s opinion. Thanks for listening to me ramble. I appreciate it. See you next time.