PARIS BRITNEY AND LINDSAY: WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT US

«There is a sexist element at work in this gender shift» says Mark Young a professor who specialize in the psychology of celebrity and pop culture at the Marshall School of business in Southern California. «Throughout history going back to Aphrodite and the Greeks society has always deifed women more than men. We build them up to huge heights and when they falter make mistakes-we love to tear them down. Typically with far more zeal than we do most men».

«It's the public demand for celebrity news that fuels the paparazzi that fuels the bad behaviour on the paparazzi's part. The bad behaviour drives the celebrities insane and often leads to them driving recklessly or punching out photographers» says Young. «In a way you can't blame them for doing that. But the average person often does blame the star and says hey that's the price of celebrity. «But the reality is that it's all of us as a collective fueling this behaviour. And it's a sad indication of what society has devolved to»....«People are seeking role models out there. They want someone to believe in. If it's not our religious leaders or our government then who's next? It's celebrities because we're bombarded by it, more than anything".


The Globe & Mail
Dec 31 2007