"We all have gods, Martin Luther said, it is just a question of which ones. And in American society our gods are celebrities.
"Celebrity culture encourages everyone to think of themselves as potential celebrities, as possessing unique if unacknowledged gifts.
"Celebrity culture plunges us into a moral void. No one has any worth beyond his or her appearance, usefulness, or ability to “succeed.”
(Chris Hedges: The Empire of Illusion" )
Maybe when Luther lived this was true, but not for quite awhile now.
Contradictory! Either we all have "special gifts", are unique/special in our own way, which I believe to be quite true, (first 2 paragraphs, above, except take out the "celebrity" claptrap) or, read the last paragraph above. And think, huh? Cannot have both these thoughts reconciled!
"C9ntrad8ctory! " using a new keyboard layout? Spell checker not working? Or you just don't give a shit?
@Jacar sorry, just edited Spellcheck & my fat fingers...phone call before I proofread. Should not have hit "post", obvioysly. Better? Actually, my keyboard has developed a stutter, types "th [space] then "he" every time I try to type a word beginning with "th"......suggestions?
@AnneWimsey "obvioysly" is that the jewish spelling?
@Jacar so, okay, I stayed up till 5 am watching "Outlander" on Netflix......then put in a full "normal" day
@AnneWimsey Maybe you should consider therapy. Obsession is a clear indicator of mental distortion.
@Jacar or Asberger's..........
@AnneWimsey And the difference is?????
@Jacar you can get help for one of those, the other is genetic
I don’t do celebrities. My God is conscious awareness.
I’ve no god.. Celebrity, or not. Opted out of celebrity worship at an young age, likely near the time I realized for certain there was no ‘sky god,’ either.
What ‘American’s’ like is placing someone on a pedestal - then knocking them off! Must give the feeling of both, creating - then destroying ‘a god.’
What aspect of life holds the greatest value for you? Is there some thing, or someone, or some abstract concept that you give your greatest measure of genuine respect to?
@skado Our blink-of-an-eye existence … and what ‘we’ do with it holds the most significance to me. My respect isn’t given, it’s earned. Most often by those I’ve come to know best personally. Occasionally, someone like Madalyn Murray O’Hair earns the spotlight … mouse flipping off eagle stuff. I appreciate that, but also know the cost..
Those who stand or fight for right earn my admiration, respect ..and pity.
I think money is right up there as a god in American society.