The only thing that matters?
We love to celebrate the rich and famous. Our culture cares about winning, and that’s the only thing that matters.
13 September 2021 · Issue #928 · View online
Every year, I learn about new things that make me think that our world is headed in the wrong way.
Why Am I Not Rich & Famous?’ the Delusion of Our Times
Take private jets.
There are now companies that offer “affordable” private jets. I saw a news item about this recently on tv. You can split the cost of a private jet with 30 or so other people who want to go to a party destination like Ibiza in Europe. Or Las Vegas in the US.
When the reporter showed the inside of the jet, it was just like any other commercial airline jet, but smaller. In fact, the whole experience was exactly the same as going on a “regular” flight.
You go to an airport, wait in line to check-in, board the plane with a bunch of strangers, and you fly to your destination. But the difference is that you can say to your friends, “I’m flying private.” What a load of shit.
The impact of entertainment on real life
In 1985, Neil Postman, who was a media critic, wrote a book called Amusing Ourselves to Death. Postman argued that the media de-emphasizes the quality of information and over-emphasizes our desire to be entertained.
Remember, that book was written over 35 years ago in an age without the internet and social media. The trend he saw back then, is 100 times worse today. In fact, the world of media has influenced culture more than anything else.
We’re no longer driven by values, morals, loyalty, or family, we’re driven by what the media emphasizes. What’s the overarching theme of all media?
Celebrating the rich and famous. Our culture cares about winning, and that’s the only thing that matters.
That’s why you see companies that offer affordable private jets. But that’s not the craziest thing I’ve seen. You can actually go to a place that offers fake private jets so you can take pictures and pretend you were on one. And that’s been going on since at least 2017.
I can’t think of a more poignant example that’s telling of our times. We’d rather have a real picture in a lavish private jet over a real experience that’s normal.
This is the impact of entertainment on real life. People assume that what they see in movies, tv shows, and social media is real.
And they try to mimic it.
"Why am I not rich and famous?”
I’m born in 1987, and I copied what I saw: My parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, friends, teachers, and beyond my physical circle, the movies I watched and music I listened to.
While there were a lot more media in my childhood than my parents, my primary influences were still physical. Someone born after the millennium is often influenced by what happens on their smartphone. They copy the behavior of celebrities and social media stars.
Ask 100 ten-year-olds what they want to do, and I’d guess 99 of them will say something that’s related to becoming rich or famous: A musician, YouTuber, actor, NBA player, Elon Musk, and so forth.
When the same kids grow up and live normal lives without millions of dollars, they wonder, “Why am I not rich & famous yet?” This is a delusional feeling that many people have, not only people born after 2000.
In fact, it’s what many of my writing peers strive for. They want to be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. And when they write a few articles that no one cares about, they get discouraged and quit.
Mistaking fantasy for reality
I think it’s cheap to criticize our western culture too much and say that everything is bad. And that western society is doomed.
