What does it say about me that I entirely agree with you? I reckon it puts me in the reasonable thinkers category.
That’s people for you - right or wrong for all it’s worth, and it’s not worth much to me.
George Carlin might have had something wise to say, but because this is a public post, I’ll have to guess and others may need to fill in the blank, but he probably would have said, “____ ’em.” (I’m screen-shorting this for myself, so please understand I don’t mean to offend the public and who knows what they’ll say about me.)
I’ve been a fan of Carlin since I was 12 years old, seeing him in concert twice, and I can always hear his voice when I read his books or see a quote - even wrongly attributed quotes.
Same. You can usually find something in common with most reasonable people. I work at a bar and grille, and see people from various walks of life. I have no trouble finding something to chat about.
Well, 2 thoughts (none of which matter in "reality," since they are merely my opinion and not fact...)
1) As my husband eloquently said when social media was birthed, "the biggest problem was that it gave everyone a voice." And well... some people shouldn't have one.
We barely know how to have conversations in-person, our communication skills as a species are failing, and to give everyone a place to vent unsolicited is just a recipe for disaster.
2) There's an interesting theory about the stages of a society in decline. The worship of celebrities/ making chefs into celebrities is one of those stages. If you're getting *that* upset over someone not liking a celebrity you follow, you clearly crossed over into worshipping them.
Whatever happened to allowing space for differences of opinions? Or having healthy debates? Better still, whatever happened to having bigger problems to handle? It's not like you wrote the song/acted in the movie/etc.. And even if you did, there's a grace in not taking things so personally. We've lost perspective on what matters most.
We're in a frightening era, my friend. A tipping point... and yes, I agree there's a social psychology at play—perhaps a form of mass hypnosis/delusion/psychosis.
"Mickey Mantle? That's what you're upset about? Mantle makes $100,000 a year. How much does your father make? If your dad ever can't pay the rent and needs money, go ask Mickey Mantle. See what happens. Mickey Mantle don't care about you. Why should you care about him? Nobody cares."
All of can say is you sent me to search your two favorites. I had never heard of either one. Thought I knew a fair bit about music and strange because Bryan Ferry and I are the same age and from Britain. The Formula One champion I can be excused for not knowing (although I did follow Paul Newman as a driver). Thank you for broadening my horizon this morning.
Mass psychosis and brainwashing are branches from the same tree but I don't think it's the tree you're describing here.
My personal feeling is that people have been conditioned through movies, tv, and especially social media to look outside themselves for validation. They have no idea who they are and they're not interested in finding out. Their desire to be rich and famous causes them to identify with their celebrity heroes so much so that they personalize and internalize comments made about them.
I agree that there's also a tribal component, and as Jenni mentioned, some of the comments are just habit, but at the core I think it's a lack of self-identity driving the madness.
First, tribalism is in our nature as humans. We’ve abandoned the things that used to unite us into a group (family, faith, patriotism) so we have to fill the hole with something else. Celebrities, sports teams (“we won last night!”), demographic markers.
Second, we identify with our ideas. Challenging an idea you hold becomes a challenge to YOU.
Combine the two, and you have fierce allegiance to celebrity golden calves, and a defensive reaction when that celebrity is criticized.
If you are a fan (i.e. fanatic) I guess this means a lot. But honestly, it's really not worth the mental energy. I have always been puzzled by the appeal of certain singers, but I have my own personal favourites, and that's it.
The only reason I can see why people would get so emotionally worked up is if they are identifying with that person/thing. It is bizarre to see people have their emotions tied to something outside of themselves and their work. But I feel the same way about sports games too.
Perhaps it’s that thing where they feel they are part of something “big”, when they share same exact opinion as the masses and attack anyone disagreeing, instead of embracing who they actually are as an individual.
I pasted this here so I could emphasize how much sense this makes to me. I’ve often wondered why people get so worked up over things like this.
I love to watch NFL games and when I see fans getting crazy and disparaging players, I just shake my head. After all, it’s a sport. Yes, the athletes get paid a lot of money, but that really says more about what our culture values over any person, celebrity, or athlete.
What does it say about me that I entirely agree with you? I reckon it puts me in the reasonable thinkers category.
That’s people for you - right or wrong for all it’s worth, and it’s not worth much to me.
George Carlin might have had something wise to say, but because this is a public post, I’ll have to guess and others may need to fill in the blank, but he probably would have said, “____ ’em.” (I’m screen-shorting this for myself, so please understand I don’t mean to offend the public and who knows what they’ll say about me.)
Haha, he had some really great skits. Thanks for the comment!
I’ve been a fan of Carlin since I was 12 years old, seeing him in concert twice, and I can always hear his voice when I read his books or see a quote - even wrongly attributed quotes.
Thanks for writing this today.
I find common ground more pleasing than being right.
Same. You can usually find something in common with most reasonable people. I work at a bar and grille, and see people from various walks of life. I have no trouble finding something to chat about.
Thank you. I spent many years in that industry. All fond memories and some very interesting people.
You totally get it then. I usually start out with where ya from?
That is a good one. For travelers it takes them back home in their minds, a place of comfort.
Well, 2 thoughts (none of which matter in "reality," since they are merely my opinion and not fact...)
1) As my husband eloquently said when social media was birthed, "the biggest problem was that it gave everyone a voice." And well... some people shouldn't have one.
We barely know how to have conversations in-person, our communication skills as a species are failing, and to give everyone a place to vent unsolicited is just a recipe for disaster.
2) There's an interesting theory about the stages of a society in decline. The worship of celebrities/ making chefs into celebrities is one of those stages. If you're getting *that* upset over someone not liking a celebrity you follow, you clearly crossed over into worshipping them.
Whatever happened to allowing space for differences of opinions? Or having healthy debates? Better still, whatever happened to having bigger problems to handle? It's not like you wrote the song/acted in the movie/etc.. And even if you did, there's a grace in not taking things so personally. We've lost perspective on what matters most.
We're in a frightening era, my friend. A tipping point... and yes, I agree there's a social psychology at play—perhaps a form of mass hypnosis/delusion/psychosis.
Great commentary, couldn’t agree more.
This reminded me of A Bronx Tale 😂:
"Mickey Mantle? That's what you're upset about? Mantle makes $100,000 a year. How much does your father make? If your dad ever can't pay the rent and needs money, go ask Mickey Mantle. See what happens. Mickey Mantle don't care about you. Why should you care about him? Nobody cares."
Love that movie, that’s a great reminder!
All of can say is you sent me to search your two favorites. I had never heard of either one. Thought I knew a fair bit about music and strange because Bryan Ferry and I are the same age and from Britain. The Formula One champion I can be excused for not knowing (although I did follow Paul Newman as a driver). Thank you for broadening my horizon this morning.
That’s really cool that you did that, I do the same thing if I see new things/people I haven’t heard about! Thanks a lot for reading!
Mass psychosis and brainwashing are branches from the same tree but I don't think it's the tree you're describing here.
My personal feeling is that people have been conditioned through movies, tv, and especially social media to look outside themselves for validation. They have no idea who they are and they're not interested in finding out. Their desire to be rich and famous causes them to identify with their celebrity heroes so much so that they personalize and internalize comments made about them.
I agree that there's also a tribal component, and as Jenni mentioned, some of the comments are just habit, but at the core I think it's a lack of self-identity driving the madness.
Very good analysis, lack of self identity, I like that.
Two things.
First, tribalism is in our nature as humans. We’ve abandoned the things that used to unite us into a group (family, faith, patriotism) so we have to fill the hole with something else. Celebrities, sports teams (“we won last night!”), demographic markers.
Second, we identify with our ideas. Challenging an idea you hold becomes a challenge to YOU.
Combine the two, and you have fierce allegiance to celebrity golden calves, and a defensive reaction when that celebrity is criticized.
Great description, thank you, makes sense.
You had me at "being offended!"
hahah
Exactly, I remember typing up earlier that I don't like Jon Favreau. Had someone freak out over on twitter, and I could only wonder; 'why?'
The trouble I have with worshiping celebrities is that they seem to have replaced God in their minds or something. I just can't fathom it.
Exactly
I really do not pay attention to so called celebrities.
If you are a fan (i.e. fanatic) I guess this means a lot. But honestly, it's really not worth the mental energy. I have always been puzzled by the appeal of certain singers, but I have my own personal favourites, and that's it.
Yes, it’s so strange to observe sometimes.
I'd describe it as thinking anyone's opinion about anything really matters all too much!
It's tribalism, plain and simple.
The only reason I can see why people would get so emotionally worked up is if they are identifying with that person/thing. It is bizarre to see people have their emotions tied to something outside of themselves and their work. But I feel the same way about sports games too.
Makes sense, it almost becomes a part of them. Politics another good example.
Politics is probably the main one in the USA right now.
That was my thought when I read it.
Perhaps it’s that thing where they feel they are part of something “big”, when they share same exact opinion as the masses and attack anyone disagreeing, instead of embracing who they actually are as an individual.
I pasted this here so I could emphasize how much sense this makes to me. I’ve often wondered why people get so worked up over things like this.
I love to watch NFL games and when I see fans getting crazy and disparaging players, I just shake my head. After all, it’s a sport. Yes, the athletes get paid a lot of money, but that really says more about what our culture values over any person, celebrity, or athlete.
Yes, sports is a really great example of this!
You're right. Aren't these the same people who typically persecute us for following Jesus? That's what's so perplexing.
It’s really interesting haha