[Nazē.]

Like I said, why don't we get reports about the uncelebrities that do such things?

Because the media doesn't care about them. Why care about somebody that (relatively) very few people have ever heard of when you can swarm someone whose name is actually well-known? Whose private lives seem to be public property, despite 'private' being the key word? When a 'nobody' does something like that, it's just another sob story. But when it's a celebrity, it's the tragic story of the fallen wealthy and popular. I don't get how being a celebrity or not makes any difference either, but they key difference is that you can't make (much) money out of something like this being attempted by someone who isn't well known. That's how the media sees it - as a way to make money.

I disagree.

The only reason these celeberties get publicity is soley due to the fact that they are looked up to and admired by hundreds of millions of people in this country.

Its incredible how many people follow thier actions and beliefs. So when one does something out of the blue, such as (slitting his left wrist and taking X amount of pills). People wanna know what the hell is going on.

Not a money factor whatsoever.

**I can agree with you on the fact that when we (non celeberties) die, society wont give two sh!t$ about us, you are correct in saying that. It's slightly scary if you think about it. How insignificant we really are.

And what about the thousands of everyday, uncelebrity people who are amazing, outstanding, wonderful human beings? Is that fair? :/ And the celebrities - how many of them are actually truly good people from the heart, and not just to have a "role model" image? How do we know? How would anyone actually know, unless they knew the person well?

If most of these celebrities are people others actually look up to, it is a sadder world than I'd thought; I am not saying all celebrities are that way - of course there are probably real, truly good people who are celebrities, I know that. But all of them? I'm not sure I believe that.

[Master Of Stuff_NA]

Not a money factor whatsoever.

Commercials pay for news: News = Whatever is remotely popular, Whatever draws ratings
Govt pay for news: News is never negative about Govt. Policy, News favors what govt favors(See Russia's Channel One, 51%+ Govt owned)
Private sector pay for news: News is about what is important to person
etc.

In this case, it's most likely NOT based on Role-Model status, it would more likely be "Celebrity Train wreck" status. The closest thing he did for children would be the voice of Lightning McQueen on Cars. You might add his role in Night in the Museum although it was an Uncredited role. But he was more popular with the college crowd(Zoolander, YouMeDupree, Wedding Crashers, Meet The Fockers) but I would hardly consider them impressionable by any means.

Edit: Oh, and popularity != significance...

[Rohtaren]

if its a celebrity, then why should i care? most of them are famous for no good reason, like being fabulously rich, or being in a film that had wild results.I think the average farmer should get more attantion than people who live in penthouses having large parties and who are just famous.

[Dragonman]

Celebrities are bound to affect our lives since they're, of course, famous people. There's no use in pretending you don't know about them, because they you would have to say you don't watch TV or see movies. Seriously, who doesn't do either of these things? So, since we do, we get to know certain actors, and Owen Wilson is one of those kinds of actors you don't expect to be involved in a situation like this.

Anyways, he's definitely one of my favorite actors, and I hope his career makes it through this. =\

[Zziggywolf5]

My response really is how I would respond to anyone who I heard attempted suicide. I don't particularly care about Wilson as a star (I didn't really know who he even was before this thread), I care about him as a person. :/

Bull. It has everything to do with money. I would go into further detail, but might be attacked as anti-American, which I am not.

Say it, Bobette, you shouldn't shirk away from it simply because someone may be too close minded to respect your opinion.

Finally, I hate the media and Hollywood. Just telling you all if you've never noticed it before.

[Silvertwist]

Celebrities are bound to affect our lives since they're, of course, famous people. There's no use in pretending you don't know about them, because they you would have to say you don't watch TV or see movies. Seriously, who doesn't do either of these things? So, since we do, we get to know certain actors, and Owen Wilson is one of those kinds of actors you don't expect to be involved in a situation like this.

Anyways, he's definitely one of my favorite actors, and I hope his career makes it through this. =\

Thank you Dragonman

At least someone here knows what they're talking about

[Bobette]

You do have a choice...Not all people find that they are affected by what celebrities do. I for one do not rethink my stance on such things as drug use, eating disorders, or attempted suicide when it turns out that a celebrity has a problem.

I can't say I don't know about them, but the question should really be whether I care to pay them attention. I'm aware of the fact that my neighbors three houses down exist. I see them take out the garbage and check the mail, and I can't honestly say they have a profound or even significant effect on myself. So then why would it bother me when their dog passes away any more than it would if another semi-stranger's dog passed away?

[Silvertwist]

You do have a choice...Not all people find that they are affected by what celebrities do. I for one do not rethink my stance on such things as drug use, eating disorders, or attempted suicide when it turns out that a celebrity has a problem.

I can't say I don't know about them, but the question should really be whether I care to pay them attention. I'm aware of the fact that my neighbors three houses down exist. I see them take out the garbage and check the mail, and I can't honestly say they have a profound or even significant effect on myself. So then why would it bother me when their dog passes away any more than it would if another semi-stranger's dog passed away?

I don't know what to say to you, i guess you have no sympathy when someone or something is in harm, regardless of thier social status.

All i can say is that im sorry you feel that way and i hope someday you will change your mind.

[Bobette]

I don't know what to say to you, i guess you have no sympathy when someone or something is in harm, regardless of thier social status.

Where'd you get that from? I think you misunderstood me.

[Jake]

Honestly, what does it matter how much we discuss celebrities' lives? I, for one, know nothing about this person; I do not feel the need to sit and discuss why and how and when some random being might have tried to kill themself, just because they are famous. Does anyone write articles about people living in unknown towns, with families of their own, who have normal, quiet jobs, and attempt suicide? Does anyone who doesn't know them care about that? Why is it that celebrities should get this wide span of attention from complete strangers?

Accept it or not, celeberties are humans just like we are and yes, these select individuals have an enourmous impact on the way millions live thier lives. i.e. (Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears.....etc)

But when you get to a guy like Owen Wilson, it's worth taking at least a brief second to say...."Damn, how might this affect the children who seriously look up to him?" and not worry about "OMG heres another story on a celeberty and i refuse to pay attention to it....."

I'm not saying what you said isn't true... sadly it is. But if someone is stupid enough to kill themselves (or do heroin or whatever)because "Celebrities do it". Then LET THEM... the gene pool needs a good bit of chlorination anyways.
I've about had it with people that try to imitate celebrities lately. I go to school with about 700 of them.

Does saying that make me an asshole? Sure! I also don't care... sorry guys.

Bull. It has everything to do with money. I would go into further detail, but might be attacked as anti-American, which I am not.

Say it Bobette... we don't mind. Love the country, hate alot of the people. Well, not hate... more dislike than anything.

Celebrities are bound to affect our lives since they're, of course, famous people. There's no use in pretending you don't know about them, because they you would have to say you don't watch TV or see movies. Seriously, who doesn't do either of these things?

OOH! OOH! OOH! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!

I don't watch tv, and I haven't watched many movies lately. Lately meaning for the past 4 months.

----------

To put this shortly, I hate 93% of television. The news pisses me off. And so many people's obsession with a few rich people piss me off.


Bobette, Nazy, Skenasis, Rohtaren, Ziggy (did I forget anyone?)

[Darkness]

Celebrities are bound to affect our lives since they're, of course, famous people. There's no use in pretending you don't know about them, because they you would have to say you don't watch TV or see movies. Seriously, who doesn't do either of these things? So, since we do, we get to know certain actors, and Owen Wilson is one of those kinds of actors you don't expect to be involved in a situation like this.

Anyways, he's definitely one of my favorite actors, and I hope his career makes it through this. =\

Thank you Dragonman

At least someone here knows what they're talking about

... Haha, that's funny. But I'm sure you just implied that everyone who disagrees with your opinion doesn't know what they're talking about... -Dang-, I sure hope I misread -that-.

You do have a choice...Not all people find that they are affected by what celebrities do. I for one do not rethink my stance on such things as drug use, eating disorders, or attempted suicide when it turns out that a celebrity has a problem.

I can't say I don't know about them, but the question should really be whether I care to pay them attention. I'm aware of the fact that my neighbors three houses down exist. I see them take out the garbage and check the mail, and I can't honestly say they have a profound or even significant effect on myself. So then why would it bother me when their dog passes away any more than it would if another semi-stranger's dog passed away?

I concur! And... I have to go... so you'll only know that I concur, for I shan't type any more!

[Silvertwist]

LOL

This is awesome.... I really should've never started this thread!!

I am sorry if i offended anyone by all of my statements i just wanted to let you guys (and girls) know that i felt pretty bad when i heard this.

If you feel different, thats cool with me. You do have your choice and im sorry if i shot it outta the sky!

[Bobette]

LOL

This is awesome.... I really should've never started this thread!!

I am sorry if i offended anyone by all of my statements i just wanted to let you guys (and girls) know that i felt pretty bad when i heard this.

If you feel different, thats cool with me. You do have your choice and im sorry if i shot it outta the sky!

You don't have to apologize for your opinion. If you did, I'd have had to tattoo "Sorry" on my forehead already.

Don't worry, I won't spear you 'til later.


Regarding what I was going to say earlier but chose not to:

As I'm sure we've all figured out, the entertainment business is about money. Maybe somewhere in there there's a guy or girl who's only in it for the artistic expression, but making movies costs money and can and usually do earn money. Now that I've established that...

News is entertainment. How significant do you really think it is to a country like the U.S., as a whole, that someone found an anonymous check in the mail, a cat was rescued from a tree, or that some woman lost a dress a the cleaners? Does one missing woman really deserve two full days of news coverage while there are 25 other missing women in her town? It's not meant to inform you, it's meant to distract you at best. While you're busy going on about that cat in the tree, or the 10th anniversary of that now obscure 1930s actor's death, there are wars being fought, money, oil, and land being illegally seized, and families being slaughtered. Even in your own country this is happening (corrupt government), but you'll never pay that too much attention, not for too long anyway, the news is back on, and look, everyone's least favorite star just hobbled out of a club drunk!

Celebrities make money. More importantly, they're walking advertisements. You've probably heard how they get all this free stuff (especially athletes) to wear or mention during award shows and other appearances. Have you noticed how they get special attention when they walk into their favorite store to buy a new bag, shoes, or dress? That can't be simply because they're wealthy- everyone there must be wealthy, but these people are advertisements themselves. They walk out with their bags and photos are snapped by the paparazzi. These pictures are plastered all over magazines and sometimes news papers. The young (and even old) who idolize these celebrities see them carrying that bag, wearing those shoes, and they want them. If you go to most high schools, you will see so many girls all carrying the same bag and/or wearing the same jeans. Where'd they get the idea to carry around a designer bag? Could be parents (if they're like that), could be peers, but it all starts somewhere, and that's in advertisements. Whether they be candid photos, an ad on the back or inside of a magazine, or an award show appearance, these girls don't come up with these ideas on their own.

Am I still on topic? o.O Anyway...

When celebrities are constantly covered on the news (good or bad news, it's all the same) their lifestyle is being glorified and advertised. Even at their mention we are distracted from the world around us, what should really be reported. We suddenly become adsorbed with what their doing: What are they naming their kids? What are they dressing their dogs in? What about that island they've recently purchased?
If we get too far into being concerned with which one of them has attempted suicide, which one of them just left rehab, which one of them are neglecting their kids, we forget that we have lives too. Instead of hanging out with friends or getting to know our family or learning how we can make change in the lives of the non-celebrity children who are being neglected (or the non-celebrities who deal with depression or addiction) we choose to occupy our free time with gossip news, magazines, and television, so badly desiring the money, relationships, and respect of a celebrity. So of course it's going to be such a surprise to us when one of them attempts to take their own life.


All of this distracts us. It distracts us from living, because if we do truly live, and with our eyes open, we will see that there is something wrong with the standard of living. We will know that there is need for change, but along with change for the better comes the realization that we need none of these things advertised to us. If we know that we need none of this, and we purchase none of this, and we dont read magazines full of this, someone's going to be missing out on our money.

There's so much more to it that I'm sure I don't understand, but that's some of what I do.

[skenasis]

Wow, that was a novel and a half. Kudos for having the patience to type that all out.

...So, just out of curiosity, am I the only one here who has no sympathy whatsoever for people who attempt suicide? And kindly don't call me heartless or anything akin for it, because I'm not. I just have no sympathy or respect for anyone who has such a complete disrespect for life that they would try to end it. It doesn't matter if it's someone else's life or their own, it's still a life. Sure, life may totally blow sometimes, but it's not worth dying over. Never has been, never will be.

[Silvertwist]

Wow, that was a novel and a half. Kudos for having the patience to type that all out.

...So, just out of curiosity, am I the only one here who has no sympathy whatsoever for people who attempt suicide? And kindly don't call me heartless or anything akin for it, because I'm not. I just have no sympathy or respect for anyone who has such a complete disrespect for life that they would try to end it. It doesn't matter if it's someone else's life or their own, it's still a life. Sure, life may totally blow sometimes, but it's not worth dying over. Never has been, never will be.

I agree with you on your outlook on life completely, very solid.

And im sure you not the only one that thinks that logically, which is good!

But....

The type of people that have that sort of a view on life like you, only end up magnifying thier chances of being devastated when life hits a speed bump somewhere down the road, and we all know that it will hit one sooner or later.

I think this is what happened to him (Owen). and the only difference between you and me skenasis is our sympathy toward him....

good point