pull! push! Adventures in Internet land :-)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The private lives of celebrities. Does the public care?
How much, or how little, do you care about what a popular celebrity thinks?
On May 6, The Bajan Reporter posted a rather lengthy 'thesis' by one Roger Marshall concerning the connection between Rihanna's famous 'Umbrella' song and the occult.
This was picked up by BFP this morning and has already resulted in a few comments (no surprise, as anything that involves religion and politics is bound to stir up the emotions). I have not read Marshall's article, nor am I planning to, as it does not interest me in the least bit.
Mind you, I'm not saying that Rihanna is knowingly (or unknowingly) involved in any of the stuff that Marshall mentions, nor am I commenting on her personal beliefs, etcetera. I'm sure that other like-minded people (i.e., people like Marshall) could find links to the occult and other artists' songs as well. It just so happened that his article mentioned Rihanna's song.
What does interest me is to what extent do the beliefs and values (etcetera) of a popular celebrity, affect how much (or how little) ordinary citizens like them.
It seems like a simple and straight-forward thing, doesn't it? If a celebrity that you've always liked for years adopts a position contrary to your own on any topic (drugs, the environment, religion, politics, etcetera), will you look at them differently? Consider also if, despite their opposing view, they continue to carry out their professional life in the exact same way (e.g. movies/music), putting aside their own personal philosophy. Now that you know what they really think, would you be able to ignore their beliefs and continue to support their films/music?
Realize that whatever you (and the majority of the public) choose may impact on how much money the celebrity earns. Knowing this, the celebrity (at the request of, or on the advice of his/her agent, etcetera) may try to appear in such a way so as toavoid a potential loss (or decrease) of income as a result of his/her personal opinions. This may end up in you rarely seeing, or getting to know, the real individual behind the celebrity.
In the end, and after considering the above, who do you like, the individual with his/her private opinions, or the celebrity who will please the audience?
On May 6, The Bajan Reporter posted a rather lengthy 'thesis' by one Roger Marshall concerning the connection between Rihanna's famous 'Umbrella' song and the occult.
This was picked up by BFP this morning and has already resulted in a few comments (no surprise, as anything that involves religion and politics is bound to stir up the emotions). I have not read Marshall's article, nor am I planning to, as it does not interest me in the least bit.
Mind you, I'm not saying that Rihanna is knowingly (or unknowingly) involved in any of the stuff that Marshall mentions, nor am I commenting on her personal beliefs, etcetera. I'm sure that other like-minded people (i.e., people like Marshall) could find links to the occult and other artists' songs as well. It just so happened that his article mentioned Rihanna's song.
What does interest me is to what extent do the beliefs and values (etcetera) of a popular celebrity, affect how much (or how little) ordinary citizens like them.
It seems like a simple and straight-forward thing, doesn't it? If a celebrity that you've always liked for years adopts a position contrary to your own on any topic (drugs, the environment, religion, politics, etcetera), will you look at them differently? Consider also if, despite their opposing view, they continue to carry out their professional life in the exact same way (e.g. movies/music), putting aside their own personal philosophy. Now that you know what they really think, would you be able to ignore their beliefs and continue to support their films/music?
Realize that whatever you (and the majority of the public) choose may impact on how much money the celebrity earns. Knowing this, the celebrity (at the request of, or on the advice of his/her agent, etcetera) may try to appear in such a way so as toavoid a potential loss (or decrease) of income as a result of his/her personal opinions. This may end up in you rarely seeing, or getting to know, the real individual behind the celebrity.
In the end, and after considering the above, who do you like, the individual with his/her private opinions, or the celebrity who will please the audience?
Labels: Barbados, Barbados Free Press, blogging, life, news, Philosophy, politics, religion, The Bajan Reporter
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
And In Other News...
Mini pigs are big success on farm
"The pigs, which are about a fifth of the size of ordinary pigs, have been a hit with visitors at Pennywell Farm." [via BBC NEWS]
Russia backs Iran nuclear rights
"Russia's President Vladimir Putin has offered qualified support for Iran's nuclear programme on a visit to Tehran." [via BBC NEWS]
Woman Steals Man Genitals
"The woman, a 'beer parlor' owner - that's a bar, right? - named Grace, was accused by her lover, Kingsley, of stealing his dangly bits. The pair had been dating for some time, and they spent 29 nights together before Kingsley went away to visit his family in another part of the country." [via Absolutely True]
Seven sex tips guaranteed to work wonders
"Hey, habits, even bad ones, take time to perfect. You don't just pick them up overnight. So the fact that you've had more than your fair share of sex in this life, while undoubtedly a great source of pride to you, probably means that over the years you've developed a few bad habits -- maybe learned to cut a few corners here and there in the bedroom. Happens to the best. Show us a gorgeous woman and we'll show you a man who's making love to her on autopilot at least once in a while." [via Men's Health]
Walmart Sanctifies The Toy Aisle With Talking Jesus Action Figures
"The Des Moines Register would like you to know that Walmart is test marketing some talking Jesus action figures. The dolls will set you back $14.97." [via The Consumerist]
What's in the Vatican Secret Archives?
"A publishing house associated with the Vatican announced on Friday that it will publish copies of the Parchment of Chinon, a 700-year-old document about the Knights Templar that was uncovered in the Vatican Secret Archives in 2001. What other goodies do the secret archives hold?" [via Slate Magazine]
Mini pigs are big success on farm
"The pigs, which are about a fifth of the size of ordinary pigs, have been a hit with visitors at Pennywell Farm." [via BBC NEWS]
Russia backs Iran nuclear rights
"Russia's President Vladimir Putin has offered qualified support for Iran's nuclear programme on a visit to Tehran." [via BBC NEWS]
Woman Steals Man Genitals
"The woman, a 'beer parlor' owner - that's a bar, right? - named Grace, was accused by her lover, Kingsley, of stealing his dangly bits. The pair had been dating for some time, and they spent 29 nights together before Kingsley went away to visit his family in another part of the country." [via Absolutely True]
Seven sex tips guaranteed to work wonders
"Hey, habits, even bad ones, take time to perfect. You don't just pick them up overnight. So the fact that you've had more than your fair share of sex in this life, while undoubtedly a great source of pride to you, probably means that over the years you've developed a few bad habits -- maybe learned to cut a few corners here and there in the bedroom. Happens to the best. Show us a gorgeous woman and we'll show you a man who's making love to her on autopilot at least once in a while." [via Men's Health]
Walmart Sanctifies The Toy Aisle With Talking Jesus Action Figures
"The Des Moines Register would like you to know that Walmart is test marketing some talking Jesus action figures. The dolls will set you back $14.97." [via The Consumerist]
What's in the Vatican Secret Archives?
"A publishing house associated with the Vatican announced on Friday that it will publish copies of the Parchment of Chinon, a 700-year-old document about the Knights Templar that was uncovered in the Vatican Secret Archives in 2001. What other goodies do the secret archives hold?" [via Slate Magazine]
