I recently heard Ricky Gervais ranting about fame (the concept not the musical) on the radio. He was critical of modern culture's obsession with celebrity and I have to say that I agree with him. A survey of pre-school children in November showed that almost a third of children (31%) want to be a celebrity when they grow up. The list ranked fame (1st) above some more traditional childhood dreams such as firefighter (2nd), astronaut (4th), train driver (7th), or vet (8th). Ironically, their dream is not even being famous for doing something amazing - that bit doesn't seem to matter - just famous!
I love 'The X Factor' for the stream of predictably talentless and extremely deluded people who are searching for an easy way to the top. At least in theory, the show aims to find talent which otherwise might never have been discovered. Meanwhile, other reality shows continue to churn out increasing numbers of desperate 'celebrities' who are famous for no other reason than they are! These are often people will do anything for that "15 minutes of fame", but at what cost? Fame itself is being devalued. If anyone can achieve it, why is it worth getting? I have nothing against genuinely talented people being famous (eg great sportspeople, musicians, writers, artists, scientists, even some actors/actresses) for something they've accomplished. But when fame becomes an end in itself, it is meaningless.
Many people also covet wealth and power but the desire for fame is different. I think it springs from an exaggeration of a deeper longing in us to be noticed, wanted, and loved. All children compete for this attention from their parents and (I've posted on this before) on one level all of us are competing with each other to be noticed, wanted and loved. Nor is this desire is a recent phenomena, even Jesus' disciples desired fame. Yet studies and perhaps common sense will show us that achieving fame is not, in itself, ultimately satisfying. The Bible teaches that true fulfillment comes, not through glorifying ourselves, but by giving glory to God. When we truly realise that Jesus loves us, accepts us and wants a relationship with us, it reverses our motivation for living from a desire to be worshipped to a desire to worship Him.
I love 'The X Factor' for the stream of predictably talentless and extremely deluded people who are searching for an easy way to the top. At least in theory, the show aims to find talent which otherwise might never have been discovered. Meanwhile, other reality shows continue to churn out increasing numbers of desperate 'celebrities' who are famous for no other reason than they are! These are often people will do anything for that "15 minutes of fame", but at what cost? Fame itself is being devalued. If anyone can achieve it, why is it worth getting? I have nothing against genuinely talented people being famous (eg great sportspeople, musicians, writers, artists, scientists, even some actors/actresses) for something they've accomplished. But when fame becomes an end in itself, it is meaningless.Many people also covet wealth and power but the desire for fame is different. I think it springs from an exaggeration of a deeper longing in us to be noticed, wanted, and loved. All children compete for this attention from their parents and (I've posted on this before) on one level all of us are competing with each other to be noticed, wanted and loved. Nor is this desire is a recent phenomena, even Jesus' disciples desired fame. Yet studies and perhaps common sense will show us that achieving fame is not, in itself, ultimately satisfying. The Bible teaches that true fulfillment comes, not through glorifying ourselves, but by giving glory to God. When we truly realise that Jesus loves us, accepts us and wants a relationship with us, it reverses our motivation for living from a desire to be worshipped to a desire to worship Him.
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