Why Are We Obsessed with Celebrities? | Tim Wu | Big Think

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ม.ค. 2017
  • Why Are We Obsessed with Celebrities?
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    Although we know better intellectually, we treats celebrities as if they exist in a different realm. Is there an element of misplaced religion at work? Our society reveres celebrities like gods, but if they are gods, jokes Columbia law professor Tim Wu, then they’re more like the Greek gods, who were hopelessly and petulantly flawed. Nobody as yet fully understands our culture’s obsession with the famous elites among us, but for Wu, the most compelling ideas so far are those that compare celebrity worship to our inherent instinct to look for things that transcend the normal, that hints at life on a different plane. Does going into a two-hour scroll saga through an actor or sport star’s Instagram reflect a religious, seeking impulse within us? "There’s something to those theories," Wu says, "because I just can’t really understand it otherwise." Tim Wu’s most recent book is The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads.
    Tim Wu’s most recent book is The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads.
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    TIM WU :
    Tim Wu is an author, policy advocate, professor at Columbia Law School, and director of the Poliak Center for the Study of First Amendment Issues at Columbia Journalism School. Wu's best known work is the development of Net Neutrality theory, but he also writes about private power, free speech, copyright, and antitrust.
    In 2014, he ran as the progressive Democrat candidate for lieutenant governor of New York. His book The Master Switch (2010) has won wide recognition and various awards. Wu is a contributing writer at The New Yorker and a former contributing editor at The New Republic. He formerly wrote for Slate, where he won the Lowell Thomas Gold medal for Travel Journalism. Wu worked at the Federal Trade Commission during the first term of the Obama administration, and has also worked as Chair of the media reform group Free Press, as a fellow at Google, and worked for Riverstone Networks in the telecommunications industry. In 2015, he was appointed to the Executive Staff of the Office of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman as a senior enforcement counsel and special advisor.
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    TRANSCRIPT:
    Tim Wu: You know celebrity is a really mysterious thing that I don’t think anyone fully understands. Why are we so interested in these people who are just people but somehow have come to embody some greater idea. It’s not even that they’re great. I mean you don’t worship them necessarily because they’re more virtuous than we are or lofty or something. If they’re like gods they’re more like the Greek gods, you know. They’re prone to embarrassing drunken incidents. The say outlandish things but somehow people just can’t seem to look away from celebrities and it’s not something new. Although what is new is the effort to commercialize that fact to an extent never seen before. New I mean since the 1970’s or so. The effort to build entire platforms, magazines on nothing but celebrity by itself is a development of the twentieth and twenty-first century. We’ve gotten to a point it’s sort of unusual where if you want to get attention to almost anything you need to start with the celebrity. If you’re interested in the problems of Africa you don’t really get people interested.
    You have Madonna adopt an orphan. Now we’re talking, you know. It just has become the sine qua non for getting attention as having some kind of celebrity associated with it. When I was running for office for instance, you know, we’d have an important proposal about corruption or something. But when we brought out Mark Ruffalo to endorse our candidacy oh now we’re talking. Suddenly everybody was there. And it is strange that this has become the way we organize this incredible important part of our lives, the products, whatever it is. But it’s kind of the way it is.
    I’ve read a lot of the literature on why people are so interested in celebrities. I think they don’t really understand. The most compelling to me are the ideas that compare it to this sort of instinct that is also inherent in religion or sort of looking for transcendence of the normal that we sort of believe these people operate on a different plane. If you somehow end up running into Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks and you may not even care for them as actors, may be indifferent.
    Read the full transcript at bigthink.com/videos/tim-wu-on...

ความคิดเห็น • 281

  • @justmadeit2
    @justmadeit2 7 ปีที่แล้ว +473

    The less you watch tv, the less you care about what 'celebrities' are up to. Try it sometime :)

    • @TadRaunch
      @TadRaunch 7 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      I find that the less I watch tv the more I watch porn

    • @avery7964
      @avery7964 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      But I still have my phone :/

    • @GamerSpite
      @GamerSpite 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      i'm surprised people still watch tv, youtube,hulu,netflix is all you need tbh. oh yeah and also the internet.

    • @TheeBlackSilhouette
      @TheeBlackSilhouette 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      I so glad I do not watch TV anymore and I’m so glad my mom car radio broke! I slowly starting to not care about fake realities and some else highlight reels. But now all that time is being taken by TH-cam😂.I really have to quit TH-cam

    • @Darkstalker212
      @Darkstalker212 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Already have lol

  • @CoffeePoints
    @CoffeePoints 7 ปีที่แล้ว +369

    Apparently it wasn't obvious for the viewers, but when he says "everyone" and "we", he means society as a general. Not literally every single living person on Earth

    • @SleepDaMouse-xd8dn
      @SleepDaMouse-xd8dn 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lol was English hard for them? Ok no, that is not only confusing but leads to mislabeling which people really really don’t like. Think about it, you could call someone who isn’t homophonic gay and they won’t like it. It’s simply mislabeling

    • @cananary
      @cananary 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      People are stupid

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@cananary Amen lol

    • @sandercohen3309
      @sandercohen3309 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No gods or kings,
      Only man

    • @headhunter3744
      @headhunter3744 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah..I feel disrespect ed being compared with those celibrities foot licker cult....plz don't include me with likes of then...cuz u like them,I have my dignity and common sense ..

  • @robotomato5736
    @robotomato5736 5 ปีที่แล้ว +94

    I think people who idolise celebrities are ignorant to the process. Once you learn how stories, movie industry, fashion industry works, it will look normal.

    • @simpleasthatjones9870
      @simpleasthatjones9870 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      1000% agreed

    • @sutherlandsharks7376
      @sutherlandsharks7376 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @keanna J bloody hell even from a young age one is reeled in by these celebs I don't get it..like the teen choice awards you mentioned it's something in the brain that makes one luv or praise another human they don't know hmm lol teenagers out here catching feelings on a daily lol money and sexual ego is the issue I believe

  • @nitishbansal3208
    @nitishbansal3208 3 ปีที่แล้ว +99

    If you worship any celebrity
    (Whether Politician/Actor/Singer/Influencer/Others)
    There are only two reasons for that
    1. You don't like the life you living & desperately finding some purpose to feel better about yourself.
    2. Read point one again.

    • @taralangton2417
      @taralangton2417 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      You hit the nail on the head.

    • @shanouboubou
      @shanouboubou 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      That's absolutely true. I would even say that it can also come for a place of boredom, you're bored in your life so you try finding some excitement...and an obsession is perfect for that. I've been there 😔

  • @sarahoputric6563
    @sarahoputric6563 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    It´s just sad that we are so obsessed by people who literally do they job like anybody else. Why not be obsessed with doctors, scientists, volunteers and so on? These are the people who actually keep our society going. An actors stops acting...nothing changes. Doctors/nurses stop working...dead people. I wish people would appreciate the work of others, as they appreciate the work of an artist.

    • @angelicaquirarte
      @angelicaquirarte ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Agreee with you

    • @Bryte_101
      @Bryte_101 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly 💯💯💯

    • @danhvo920
      @danhvo920 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      im agree with you ,why do people care too much about people in entertament industry rather than people are contribute the real value for this world(like engineer,docter,scientist,teacher...)

    • @JosephDWmPelobello
      @JosephDWmPelobello 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I wholeheartedly agree. Astronomers deserve to live in Beverly Hills.

    • @nicoleclavel3876
      @nicoleclavel3876 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Definitely! Good Doctors, caretakers, firemen, and teachers deserve to be acknowledged!

  • @IglooDweller
    @IglooDweller 6 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    I think being starstruck by seeing a celebrity you don't even like has to do with social status. When a person is that high above you, no doubt you instinctually become submissive.

    • @paradanmellow
      @paradanmellow 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I think it's more like by associating with them we rise our status instead of becoming submissive

    • @kylemendes7246
      @kylemendes7246 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @xRewiindzZ nope social status is a real thing, it's just how group behaviour works

    • @hanawana
      @hanawana 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @TacticalTech if that is how humans make sense of reality and organise their lives then is that not “real?” i really understand where you are coming from but that it affects us all to varying degrees is something of interest
      i tried not to let this social status bs screw me up when i worked in a luxury hotel because the clients were just people to me , , but i realised it was my older colleges who had been socialised a specific way in a specific environment which made them “submissive” and in turn made me feel like a cockroach
      but you’re right , , we are have the same or similar fundamental components 🤷🏼‍♂️
      this is something i think about daily , ,
      maybe your opinion on this will become more nuanced
      (maybe the worlds of professionalism and institutionalism will enable your mind to grow or you may observe hierarchies as facts of life in the most mundane of instances)

    • @zes3813
      @zes3813 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      no such thing as star struck or higher or celeb or not or submissive or instinct about it, cepuxuax, domx, perfect any nmw, just u r submissive 1uferiox etc, and talx s 1uferiox bloat, doesnt matter

    • @hiddenname9809
      @hiddenname9809 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Yea... NO. Unless you are actually related to the celebrity (their family member or their servant), what do they have anything to do with your social status? These people don't even know you exist. It's just you dreaming, and that is just sad.

  • @sanctificate6285
    @sanctificate6285 4 ปีที่แล้ว +92

    When you think of it. They’re completely pointless. Yes, sure, you can enjoy a movie, enjoy a TH-cam video. But why do we have to obsess over the lives of other people and ignore our own lives. So much more could be done if we didn’t obsess over them. The hours we spend browsing social media looking at their photos? We can spend our time on our lives, not theirs. Plus why should we give them our hard earned money (in the form of merchandise) because they are existing. It’s just really a waste of time. You can enjoy movies, you can enjoy TH-cam videos. Just don’t give them your money and waste your time.

    • @Wilbur-em1hw
      @Wilbur-em1hw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Because our ice breakers revolve around our favourite stars and favourite bands and favourite movies, actors, songs etc etc. Which to some level is alright. You gotta have an opinion on something. Positive, neagtive, neutral etc etc. But celebrity worship is on another level. We consider our lives to be boring. We feel that there isn't much going on. So we are curious to know about the people around us. Humans have been competitive. We use numbers not only for measurements but also to compete (Money, height, weight, class grade etc etc). We have been taught that those numbers matter and we are just hamsters on a wheel. Trying to run things or being tested or just there doing something for somebody. People aren't satisfied with these numbers. They are curious to know how others are doing. They are curious to see where they fit. They want praise, admiration, love, respect and motivation from the people around them and looks like the only way to get it by being interested in the things everyone is interested in. I hope I could explain why we leave everything and try to keep up with the celebrity lifestyle. A peaceful life is drama free. A good relation works on trust, love and respect and shouldn't be made on the benefits of being with someone who made it to the top (we also created an eligibility criteria for it. We created an eligibility criteria or in simpler words a standard for beauty, wealth, success, power, popularity and applied to everyone around us irrespective of whether their goals are in line with ours or not). We forced them to like, dislike, ignore and think about the things everyone is thinking about. We killed individuality, different opinions and curiosity.

  • @emmanuelstyles6345
    @emmanuelstyles6345 7 ปีที่แล้ว +105

    Because most people are followers. Celebrities are regular people. They use the bathroom the same way you do, they also make mistakes, they lie, they cheat, they steal. Oh wait lady gaga made a catchy song? guess she must be immortal....right

  • @f3r178
    @f3r178 4 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Why do people care more about Kobe Bryant’s death than the death of millions going through genocide rn?

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Cause he is Kobe I guess lol

    • @hiddenname9809
      @hiddenname9809 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Because they are stupid.

  • @WDC_OSA
    @WDC_OSA 7 ปีที่แล้ว +95

    This guy's point is one big "I dunno."

  • @EmperorsNewWardrobe
    @EmperorsNewWardrobe 7 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Celebrities are simply exaggerated characters of the community, and we are interested in their drama with others more than them as people. If our interest in them was solely determined by their skills, Stephen Hawking would be many times more famous than Victoria Beckham, considering that he vastly outperforms her and even in her own category as a singer.

    • @timtimothy343
      @timtimothy343 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      tobo86 idgaf about science theorists or celebrities. soldiers, first responders, and doctors help people

  • @debrismatter6702
    @debrismatter6702 7 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    This video did not provide content on the topic I hoped to hear. People love celebrities, because they like the personification of what a human being can do and to ponder the idea of themselves in their position. Why does a little boy like Messi, because of the idea that he after having played football entertained becoming like him. People wish to be celebrities and are escape from their own reality fantasizing about their lives.

  • @SydneySings137
    @SydneySings137 7 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    All these people in the comments getting all defensive smh

    • @RossetaStoned91
      @RossetaStoned91 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, I find the comments on a handful of BigThink videos very distasteful

  • @hiliax
    @hiliax ปีที่แล้ว +6

    not even celebrities there's even people idolising serial killers

  • @TheSmilodon85
    @TheSmilodon85 7 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Because we are brainwashed and conditioned that way; especially the fact people worship money and television promotes both, what's beautiful, what is not and importance of money. Welcome to the Twilight Zone.

  • @chopperman2122
    @chopperman2122 5 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    There are popular people everywhere I think. In your school, work, local community. I'm sure it's been like this forever, that's just how humans are. It's just that with the internet, some people are able to become popular to the extreme, and that's where you get celebrities.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Or maybe humans are just nosey creatures. Always worried about other lives lol

    • @angelicaquirarte
      @angelicaquirarte ปีที่แล้ว

      Thats what i hate about humans for things like that i want to live in a farm or in the camp

  • @ni5hu
    @ni5hu 7 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    I think its more as an admiration since modern day movies are hyped and marketed at such large scale that each person you see onscreen is like your friend,but you can't send them your feelings so when you see them in real life or hear things about them all those memories rush together in their identity .... just a theory

    • @Nicky-ez3ln
      @Nicky-ez3ln 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This is more relatable i

  • @zay_kash
    @zay_kash 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I don't even understand how celebrities are more important than us BTW I don't think this a lot of people say this to me in some random comment sections

  • @RoodyToody
    @RoodyToody 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Great to see self awared people in these comments, I can't have a real conversation with any of my friends.
    Rationality and self awareness is hard to come by.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Amen

    • @zes3813
      @zes3813 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      wrg

  • @7josette
    @7josette 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    This hits me so personally, I’m filipino and my parents even put me in some acting lessons when I was younger. They loved watching TV because they never had it in the Philippines. I quit very quick and I wanted to do something that felt like I helped others like being a teaching or nurse. Now 20 years later I’m dealing with stupid regret about could i have been more “successful” but at the end of the day i feel in my soul that, that’s not what i while by body occupies this earth. ❤️But i still feel bad sometimes 🤦🏽‍♀️

    • @justmadeit2
      @justmadeit2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      See my channels trailer that I made titled 'Addicted to a screen'
      I go on my phone too much and it got me thinking about it all so I decided to make some about peoples addiction to screens of one type or another

    • @7josette
      @7josette 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      justmadeit2-my channel great movie. Im gonna have to read some of those books. I love that part that said “ if you are scared to be bored. You will become boring”. That spoke to me about the addicts in my life. They don’t want to turn off the tv because they just want to “relax” after work for hours. But yet they are so mentally drained when it’s time for sleep. Or the drinkers who drink to have “fun and be social”. People don’t realize these things are killing you and not healing you.

    • @justmadeit2
      @justmadeit2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@7josette Thanks, much appreciated

    • @richpher44
      @richpher44 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@7josette Jesus says we are just a mist in the air that only last a second so do good things in life trust in christ make life worth while

    • @EBTS-3
      @EBTS-3 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hmm, dont feel too bad ! Sometimes achieving these things feel different in person than how we imagine, it could have come to a point where (acting) turning into work may have spoiled your interest in the field but I totally get you, I wish I had studied harder in animation I would have made a show probably by now. But do enjoy your privacy with an 'Unplugged' life, some well known celebs long for this !

  • @justWithRight
    @justWithRight 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    to sum up....Why Are We Obsessed with Celebrities? No one really knows

  • @UltimateSN1PA
    @UltimateSN1PA 7 ปีที่แล้ว +99

    Wow he said a whole lot of nothing...

    • @bekarare
      @bekarare 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      so, it's a good reason to unsubscribe (for me)

    • @jpgrumbach8562
      @jpgrumbach8562 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You need a celebrity. Otherwise you do not know how to judge.

  • @harkhyunlee
    @harkhyunlee 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    When much attention and praise is given and the product is portrayed as high, it becomes accepted as valuable. If you were to display a $100,000 violin in the street, most people wouldn't bother pick it up.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Probably steal it lol

  • @ChaosmanOne
    @ChaosmanOne 7 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'm not. Everyone is just people. I wouldn't treat Barack Obama any differently than my friend.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's why God loves you... if u believe in him lol

  • @rainbowbgood
    @rainbowbgood 4 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    It makes sense to admire the talent and strength to master self-expression and be vulnerable and authentic. But that should make you feel inspired by them as you would any artist sharing an inner world with you but stalking and obsessing and taking pics with and proving you met them is like saying I don't matter as much as this person. It's highly self-hating. And even celebrities don't appreciate this type of attention any more.

  • @cjua2803
    @cjua2803 7 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I think this video is part of the problem itself, even the thumbnail serves to be egotistical. The whole idea of being greek gods is just ridiculous. Another comment said it best by saying super heroes are the modern greek gods. Celebrities are just popular because they are given attention and are able to live lavishly. Whats sad is that society starts to praise these people as role models when they themselves have terrible morals.

  • @skyykiid
    @skyykiid ปีที่แล้ว +4

    yesterday only I was thinking "why are we so interested in them? Like, we can appreciate their movies/work but what's the need of making them a brand? We wanna know everything about them. It isn't like they do these good works for free?" And today I got this in my recommendations 🗿

  • @gtrman9035
    @gtrman9035 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I can’t understand why people get so obsessed with celebrities tbh they are just people like the rest of us and it is very unlikely that you are going to meet one face to face, plus it isn’t a realistic way of living.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      True. We all going to die someday lol

    • @Analysing802
      @Analysing802 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And even celebrities don't know about their fans existence who is getting obsessed with them..they r just ruining their own life

    • @Alex19863-p
      @Alex19863-p 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Analysing802I saw Tom Cruise in real life at the premiere of Top Gun Maverick.

  • @four-x-trading5606
    @four-x-trading5606 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    People worship what they can’t be themselves

  • @kixxalot
    @kixxalot 7 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I think it's as simple as that ordinary people are made to look extraordinary on TV and in movies using make up, lighting, editing, scripting, etc. Hollywood has this selling of illusions down to a science, and it works on people on a subconscious level. Although I'm aware of this, I think I would still be a bit star struck to meet some of my childhood heroes.

    • @angelicaquirarte
      @angelicaquirarte ปีที่แล้ว

      Its understendable at some point its like meeting the woman of dream of jeanie or something like that as childs we see on tv but thats it is just a ilussion , bur honestly as a mexican doesn't amaze me ,too much as probably and american that grow up with that mentality americans tend to overprise show bussines in a maniac way that as a mexican its difficult to understand

  • @zim129
    @zim129 7 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    Nah, superheroes are modern day Greek gods.

    • @kokofan50
      @kokofan50 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thor and the rest of the Norse pantheon are in comics.

    • @kokofan50
      @kokofan50 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      We get it, Niko. You're able to grasp some existential philosophy, and you can use some basic word play. You want a cookie?

    • @geoff1391
      @geoff1391 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      James Baxter Agreed. Celebrities fill the void of a figurehead monarchy for the US.

    • @kurtpatterson509
      @kurtpatterson509 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Niko We formed these characters and they in turn help shape us. But they are ultimately a projection of our own fears and ideals. We feel our mortality, so we invent characters that are immortal. We feel our vulnerabilities, so we create supermen etc. Through them we live out our hopes and fears in the relative safety of our imaginations.

    • @hectorramirez3757
      @hectorramirez3757 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      "If they're anything like gods, they're like Greek gods" Emphasis on the IF.
      Tim Wu then elaborates on how Celebrities are not inherently virtuous, typically filled with lots of drama and scandal. Just like the stories of Greek gods.
      The topic and points of this video are independent, not really related to, of whatever Superheroes may be to our society.

  • @eusanagalilee360
    @eusanagalilee360 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I truly hope we'll stop this celebrity worship thing going on. It's getting old and boring. Such a waste of money, time and energy...

  • @kierkegaard240
    @kierkegaard240 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The essence of celebrity isn't that we just believe such people "operate on a different plane," but that we believe that others believe that celebrities operate on a different plane. Everyone believes everyone else believes there's something there. But let's remember that the actor celebrities, at least, were the quirky outcasts and sometimes fuckups of high school drama class. To make it as a celebrity is to largely have tricked people into thinking something really valuable is there by getting others to think others think this.
    Which is really fucking crazy, you know.

    • @sliceofpie1741
      @sliceofpie1741 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      the point you made about everyone thinks that everyone else has an admiration for that particular celebrity is on point. it's more apparent than ever in present times.

  • @kevinriffmaster8954
    @kevinriffmaster8954 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Because we are led to believe they are perfect and there lives are exciting. reality is they are no better then anyone else..but the fans make there heads grow bigger it is basically a way to fantasize about having a exciting life but that's where this world is going to shit live your life these actors have more problems than we can fathom ..steroid abuse ,infidelity ,or they don't like fans /people. Eventually they are exposed I'm not hating on actors I just see it as more than a simple answer humans want what they can't have fame glamour but with it comes a price ..I feel that people are more and more self absorbed social media ,phones we are a dying nation clinging to acceptance and self worth only given by likes on the internet ..and that folks is why our world was easily destroyed by a pandemic because thinking we are unstoppable and can't be destroyed reality self absorption,greed, over confidence has left us vulnerable and exposed ..what you watch is what you buy what you constantly see on TV can easily become a false reality because it is made to make people feel lower and not good or compare to others .the 'less you watch the less you ingest social media celebs and what others are doing the less you care ..like the old days what you didn't see everywhere or have at your fingertips didn't bother most people. but having sex drugs fame perfect ideal bodies everywhere you look makes you want to be like others or have what they have and can easily turn reality into a false reality ..if actors weren't cool attractive etc no one would care ..I find it funny when celebs are exposed how surprised fans get it can even taint views on them because you then realize they aren't as perfect as you might think

  • @cleve3731
    @cleve3731 7 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    We are jealous of lavish lifestyles

    • @peterjna12
      @peterjna12 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That’s only a fraction of it.

    • @acetruth1601
      @acetruth1601 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@MoratoryBasil BIG FACTS

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I'm not jealous of a damn thing lol. My success is to help others not to please myself :)

    • @raziquebaig4053
      @raziquebaig4053 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No we are not jealous they make us feel jealous by posting or showing of every thing coz they crave for attention.......and on the other hand is u will take a deep look at most successful.peoples in the world like bill gates,Jeff bezos they crave for respect and they have a lot.more than celebraties but they never show off

    • @raziquebaig4053
      @raziquebaig4053 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No we are not jealous they make us feel jealous by posting or showing of every thing coz they crave for attention.......and on the other hand is u will take a deep look at most successful.peoples in the world like bill gates,Jeff bezos they crave for respect and they have a lot.more than celebraties but they never show off

  • @RobizGaming2024
    @RobizGaming2024 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    He is right, alot of ppl suffer from depression, now its being on the spotlight bc more celbs have come out saying they suffere with it, where as before no one really spoke about it or you would get looked at in a weird way, its not so weird now when a famous person has this mental disorder.

    • @hiddenname9809
      @hiddenname9809 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Celebs will say anything to "look relatable" to be liked and get attention. Do not believe what celebrities say.

  • @JakeHunter2010
    @JakeHunter2010 7 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Blinded humans by fallen stars

  • @hiddenname9809
    @hiddenname9809 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    It's pretty simple, really. It's because people have a sad life, and they are trying to live through celebrities. Their life suck and so, they fantasize about wealth and fame. I see someone obsessed with a celebrity; it's easy to know their life is pathetic.

  • @rohanpandey2037
    @rohanpandey2037 7 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Wtf why the dislikes??? This video wasn't even partisan

    • @TadRaunch
      @TadRaunch 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I just want to eat celebs and inherit their powers

    • @bekarare
      @bekarare 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      As "Zadye" says on comments, "Wow he said a whole lot of nothing..."

  • @fujidrank
    @fujidrank 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I think I already know why. People worship celebrities because they think they’re something above the person worshiping, they have their own problems and insecurities and think the celebrity worshiped does not have those problem thus being better then you, sitting on a level you think you could never be at. They also have money and fame being liked by thousands and millions of people. So you think it’s ok to fall in that group and normalize your obsession/worship

    • @Alex19863-p
      @Alex19863-p 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Tom Cruise is the world's biggest movie star.

  • @leegraham3473
    @leegraham3473 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    End of the day there dont care who you are you are just a number.

  • @markc5960
    @markc5960 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm surprised he didn't say more, I'd imagine someone with Wu's level of education is aware of the observations regarding celebrity Daniel Boorstin made in The Image back in the 60's.

    • @zes3813
      @zes3813 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      wrg cepuxuax, say, can say infi any nmw and any s perfect

  • @Symbolicliving
    @Symbolicliving 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    People are into celebrities because people pay attention to what they are exposed to. When a certain celebrity gets a lot of media coverage and promotes themselves a lot, that's who people pay attention to. But when that celebrity is not promoted by the media people pay attention to someone else. Ultimately it is the media and business interests that decide who gets the exposure and the public follow along accordingly. It all comes down to marketing.

  • @Jay26x
    @Jay26x 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Nah, I just get obsessed with certain people. Celebrity or not. A lot of people just get “obsessed” with “celebs”, because they like who they are, and what they do. Not because they’re a “celeb”. If you just get “obsessed” with somebody because they’re “famous”, that doesn’t really make sense. I’d still be obsessed with Adele if I knew her, and she wasn’t famous. It’s the person, not (always) their status. You guys would probably say that about some kid who’s uncle got famous, even though they’ve looked up to him way before that. It’s not (always) the fame, it’s the person.

  • @MrRussellharmon10
    @MrRussellharmon10 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I think having celebrities endorse your movement/event/idea whatever gives it credibility, only cuz someone who's popular in the public eye has aligned themselves with your cause. Its almost like getting a recommendation for a job but instead getting recommended by frequently singular talented people who are just really good at stirring shit up and getting people's eyes on them. Don't get me wrong tho there's some really amazing celebs out there too.
    Also I think we get so obsessed with celebrities cuz they're portrayed in movies and tv in the most beautiful scenes that evoke deep emotion in us or those action films which simulates conquering the heros journey which absolutely resonates with us. Another theory might be they're so projected and idolized by the media that we take them to be alpha humans.
    Btw if you are subscribed and frequently watch the Big Think and other thought provoking channels, chances are you're not swayed much but celebrity news or anything of that matter

  • @Relationshipmaterial67
    @Relationshipmaterial67 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The reason y it’s better to care about Jesus then celebrities is because he loves u they don’t know their fans exist

  • @Soulskool502
    @Soulskool502 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Celebrities aint sheeet!

  • @babeena_gt_3645
    @babeena_gt_3645 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I used to work at a venue where celebrities frequently came,but I usually didn't know they were celebs until after

  • @Rachel-ng2wz
    @Rachel-ng2wz 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    celebs are like normal people, swear, take drugs, drink, be loud and sloppy, lazy and watch tv just in a bigger house and they also watch us as they need our attention for us to have their attention. They comment check, look for likes and delete and keep on the higher uploaded statuses that have more or less likes, they also got the app that gives them more likes that gives them a boost in seconds for their so called new realise. I am going off all celebs, I don't watch tv but I do have TH-cam what always annoys me by showing celeb exposure and it wont turn off I don't know how to stop them from keep popping up.

    • @raibatten6951
      @raibatten6951 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same

    • @Rachel-ng2wz
      @Rachel-ng2wz 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@stg8385 What and sty in doors also? what i'm saying is these people rent just those with money but normal people also.

  • @paulalancornelius8671
    @paulalancornelius8671 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'm going to become a celebrity.😂

  • @TheTarutau
    @TheTarutau 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Celebrities didn't used to get payed much and they were not as effective. Then they got payed more in order to get people more vested in the illusion. Otherwise it would be harder to view them as transcendent since it would be more obvious they are just normal people with normal problems. So what does it take to sell a lie? What is the return on investment for selling that lie?

  • @Noochi-ow2jw
    @Noochi-ow2jw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well idk if you are like me or not but I’m obsessed with learning about gods and myths especially Norse Mythology

  • @MroR3n0
    @MroR3n0 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think that if we start with the conception that they are a bunch of histories, we can understand how they manage to live how they live. The result is their success, in which some people gain some money. "Wait what? You are saying that they're human beings??" Sure I am, or the short version: they're persuasive bastards

  • @RogerWazup007
    @RogerWazup007 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm not. I really don't give a fuck about actors, athletes, and the rest. I weed through piles of garbage before finally finding something worth reading.

  • @woooweee
    @woooweee 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Eh, they are just the popular people in the "village".

  • @Jay26x
    @Jay26x 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    First of all, I get obsessed with certain “regular” people😭.

  • @kurtpatterson509
    @kurtpatterson509 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I don't follow this reasoning all the way. I think it conflates reverence and spectacle. A more apt modern equivalence I think is found in comic characters. Gods feel more top-down. Celebritism seems more like an exchange--escapism through living vicariously.

  • @ee4life623
    @ee4life623 7 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    To me a celebrity is a scientist with interesting facts or discoveries he or she made. And that is a person worthy to look up to. And batman is cool too. XD

    • @spondonkashyap3949
      @spondonkashyap3949 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Exactly someone who has actually done something for the society

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      What about sport players, artists...etc? Do their jobs help the community?

    • @Ghost-vg6iq
      @Ghost-vg6iq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @Aarushi Singh Actually i don't believe in idolizing anyone, we are all humans and have flaws. Yeah we should appreciate scientists and doctors more but idolizing anyone is putting them on pedestal to lift their egos. Hence best is to appreciate their work and focusing on our own lives.

    • @scaboi
      @scaboi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Aarushi Singh People don't value doctors and scientists because their skills aren't unique. Just about anybody can be a scientist or a doctor, but very few people can be sports stars, movie stars or music stars because their skills are unique. Why value something that anyone can posses?

    • @Analysing802
      @Analysing802 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@scaboi not anyone can become a doctor or scientist..there are many top and excellent scientists and doctors who still don't have fame and that much wealth..well its understandable anyways entertainment is common to everyone as all enjoy it but not all are into science

  • @dianagarza9988
    @dianagarza9988 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I don't listen to celebrities podcasts or interviews because I'm interested in listening to famous people talking about there personal life's .

  • @cybersekkin
    @cybersekkin 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    since the 70's? I saw a documentary about Shirley Temple and it was happening back then. It is not like the gods among us, it is more like watching a car wreck.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah but we see wreck all the time so why still be amazed over them?

  • @musayriven
    @musayriven 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They are like normal humans just flashier

  • @avryeu
    @avryeu 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    why? I dont know

  • @1p6t1gms
    @1p6t1gms 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    More than likely it is something to do with creativity. It is what we are about I would think Tim.

  • @elpsicopompo5841
    @elpsicopompo5841 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    the fault that we praise celebrities as if they were a religion is the fault of the society of the spectacle, a social reality in which entertainment content is rewarded, where everything we see is prefabricated to our liking to amuse us to death because that is the main interest of power to make us believe that small actions make a big change.

  • @franklinfalco9069
    @franklinfalco9069 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Acting and the arts are important but obsession is unhealthy. Some celebrities might make better presidents than many politicians.

  • @joycejean-baptiste4355
    @joycejean-baptiste4355 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Oh, okay, very interesting. When I was growing up in the late 1950's and 1960's a lot of commercials had celebrities promoting different products, like cigarette brands or clothing brands. Or showing people swooning over stars, getting their autographs. My mom had an autographed photo of the actress and singer Lena Horne. My sister lost it when she moved after my mom passed. It would probably sell for a lot of money even today. Well for anyone who is a collector. Thanks for the video. They are people like you say.

  • @saladbar1991
    @saladbar1991 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This video is pretty bad, it had the reverse effect of getting me to think

  • @wowza935
    @wowza935 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This didn't explain a goddamn thing.

  • @ellenravelli6254
    @ellenravelli6254 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I think because being in need of public affairs and exercise

  • @LoluEternalCouple
    @LoluEternalCouple 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have to stop thinking about celebrity loves and what they does or doesn't
    My life matters more than their controversial or scandal life

  • @AlanWatts33
    @AlanWatts33 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    do anime characters count?

    • @ahmedtoqeer153
      @ahmedtoqeer153 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      They are too good to be real

  • @warlockofwordschannel7901
    @warlockofwordschannel7901 ปีที่แล้ว

    The parasocial element plays a big part in our minds.

  • @Return_To_Sender
    @Return_To_Sender 7 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Why are DUMB people obsessed with them. Your title is very misleading.

  • @moppenboek
    @moppenboek 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Come on people he doesn't mean we actually believe they are living in a different plane. That we think they're gods. We just can't help subconsciously assume they know things we don't. It's normal for an individual to get ideas of them vs a group. or Ideas that imply there is a bigger truth you don't know and others won't tell u. U know this isn't true but sometimes u catch yourself doing something. Picking u^p the second glass instead of the first. why because your subconscious mind communicate the first one is to obvious and might therefore be poisoned. Or am I the only one...? I'll see myself out than...

  • @LucasJackson
    @LucasJackson 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    So in other words you have no clue.....thanks for zero insight lol

  • @LYRICS_Mauricio_Rico
    @LYRICS_Mauricio_Rico 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Humanos são racionais. Mas irracionais quando estão diante de uma celebridade. Eu dificilmente entro em panico quando vejo uma celebridade. Mas consigo notar nos meus primeiros segundos assim que vejo uma, tenho tendencias emocionais, mas o meu ego controla isso. É difícil de explicar.

  • @susanlegeza7562
    @susanlegeza7562 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good question! I am not!

  • @airyfairy4
    @airyfairy4 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Theyre successful, rich and constantly in our faces through the media, they have a lifestyle that most people can only dream of. Theyre portrayed as something to aspire to. Celebrities have only really been worshipped since the 1900's when makeup brands used successful singers and movie actresses to advertise their products. They were used by fashion brands in this way too and as a result became trend setters for fashion and makeup, they'd claim the actress or singer represented the ideal beauty standard and that they used the specific make up/skincare and fashion brands products to achieve their look, this glorified actresses and singers. They would use sex appeal and the studios would also make up rumours, scandals and stories about the actors creating controversies to encourage attention from the public, making them seem more intriguing and as a result more people would go to see their films and shows making them more successful. Theda Bara is a good example of this, an American silent movie actress who claimed to be Arabian and much younger than she was. She was one of the first sex symbols and rarely spoke in the public, this was to conceal her accent as she was supposed to be middle eastern but was really American, this made her appear to be mysterious which only added to her appeal making her image and movies hugely successful. Celebrities are worshipped because the media glorifies them as something to emulate, theyre tools to sell products and make money for studios and companies. They need us to worship celebrities, the more we worship, the more we buy.

    • @stg8385
      @stg8385 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Or maybe some people are just lazy and don't want to put in the work to become successful so they praise others

  • @gay._.disaster4656
    @gay._.disaster4656 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    My gay ass doesn't have a good dad and so my brain decided that Robert Shehhan is my father now

  • @chescarino
    @chescarino 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    wu tim clan aint nuthing to f with..

  • @illam11
    @illam11 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Jesus,buddha, Muhammad... every one these peoples celebrity business, attention business.. right?

    • @ahmedtoqeer153
      @ahmedtoqeer153 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      So you want to say they started celebrity culture before romans

  • @jelenatomic6543
    @jelenatomic6543 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Agh billie agh she kills me like every little thing she does literally kills me from it's cuteness billie eilish is from another planet

  • @UndeadKIRA
    @UndeadKIRA 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    guys, the change the tittle

  • @timwu15
    @timwu15 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I don't know this guy...

  • @duranarts
    @duranarts 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Stop. You won't get an answer in the comments either...

  • @kalevang4400
    @kalevang4400 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Alas, the comment section floods with "I dont give a fuck about celebrities" comments.

  • @bakedtater1144
    @bakedtater1144 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    We all die

  • @wmc3260
    @wmc3260 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    blame Louis B. mayor

  • @jc3teacher265
    @jc3teacher265 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    T.v. hypes up these people.

  • @milack-anciennechaine1746
    @milack-anciennechaine1746 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    pas ouf ouf mon pote mais c'est pas trop grave ça arrive

  • @maryamabdi7241
    @maryamabdi7241 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I do have an obsession of Shakira ♥️

  • @ndosh1man
    @ndosh1man 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    He just spent 3 minutes saying nothing

  • @gaslightingsquidward9258
    @gaslightingsquidward9258 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Speak for yourselves

  • @kinpatu
    @kinpatu 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is pitiful. "Big Think" what a joke. I don't even recognize celebrities anymore. No movies, no TV service, and no stupid magazines. And much better for it.

    • @tamasapatra397
      @tamasapatra397 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I can't imagine how peaceful your life must be. I mean it.

  • @Libidoooo
    @Libidoooo 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well, that taught me NOTHING!

  • @d.l.918
    @d.l.918 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I think he actually talked for 3 minutes straight without giving the slightest insight into the subject.

  • @bec_r_r
    @bec_r_r 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Does that mean Donald Trump is a god?

    • @kurtpatterson509
      @kurtpatterson509 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bec R They say if u r 'respected' and u die u will get a big headstone. If u are 'VERY respected' and u die, u get a big headstone and ppl want to keep you alive or wish to believe u are still alive. If u r 'VERY VERY respected' ur headstone becomes entire buildings and institutions, a ppl may even refuse to accept u r dead altogether. This is the way of humans, and this behaviour has been repeated many times across space and time. Is Trump a god? Depends on whether he can inspire enduring fanatical loyalty. (This behaviour is not confined to the past...there are ppl who 'want' to believe Elvis is alive even today.)

  • @bakedtater1144
    @bakedtater1144 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Buch of bs you say

  • @jordanB206
    @jordanB206 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well I've always wanted to be a God Killer.

  • @SleepDaMouse-xd8dn
    @SleepDaMouse-xd8dn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Disliked because of this stupid assumption that we have the same obsessive problems as you. :T