**This blog recently appeared on Mike Danger of 98.9 The Buzz's blog as a Guest Blogger Friday feature. http://www.rochesterbuzz.com/Guest-Blogger-Friday-F--king-Look-At-Me-/10501301?pid=180601
"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." I know its become cliche and everyone has said it, but yea, Andy Warhol was right. Then some dude named David Weinberger said, "On the Web, everyone will be famous to fifteen people". That's more like it.
With so many different ways to communicate instantly and so many different media venues, and recording devices at our fingertips, fame has become an epidemic. On smaller levels, I don't even know if it's fame... just attention. I had no freakin' idea there were so many people in this world that didn't get enough hugs as a child. There are a whole bunch of people in this world that make strippers (those most in need of attention) look like reclusive loners that think Ted Kaczynski was a social butterfly.
Case in point, our latest non-celebrity attention whore, Mariah Yeater. Sister-girl goes and files suit that little ole Justin Bieber fathered her child. My guess is, she just wants her 15 minutes (and a little walking around money) anyway she can get it. Even if it's making herself look like a trollop. Have you seen her pics? Ew. If it were true, I certainly hoped he'd have better taste than that. But I guess some guys get a thrill out of slummin' it, too.
This may be a dated reference but it's an excellent case study in attention whoreism, that idiot Balloon boy Dad. He doesn't even merit a name mention. Who orchestrates that nonsense and tells your kids to lie just to get his rejected-actor-ass on TV? He should be renamed "Dbag Dad".
How hungry for attention have we become as a society? Is it because there are more chances for fame and money? Is it because people have become less loving? Do we all just need a group hug and a Snuggi? Is it because life has become so stressful and expensive that we have "quick buck envy"? We figure if Snooki can make money, so can we? Oh Christ, if she can, I should be a skajillionaire with my drunk-ass shenanigans. So, I'm 20 years older than her, and my cans are a cup size smaller, it could still happen.
I admit sometimes I find myself in attention whore mode. I wrote an almost daily blog for years with hundreds of readers and hundreds of comments each day. That can certainly be addicting. But I stopped. I don't know why. Got writer's block, got tired, started getting haters, whatever. A couple years have gone by and I find myself dipping my toe into the attention waters from time to time. Posting statuses on Facebook, witty retorts on Twitter, guestblogs for the fabulous Mike Danger... And sometimes when no one responds to my witty retorts... I post a pic with cleavage. There, I said it! Ya' got me! I'm a closet attention whore! I need hugs! Forgive me Father for I have sinned...
They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. I'm Madge, and I'm an Attention Whore. (slinks away weeping)
I still live under your bed Madge... good thing you never look under there huh? Just thought I see what was happening in this graveyard. Luv-ya. Smooches and all that stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou're worth a zillion readers!
ReplyDeleteI don't get the rise of the Reality TV Star? It really bothers me and I can't explain it, but Snooki and some of the women from the Housewives series really have irritated me.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if you really want to be followed around and have to watch what comes out of your mouth or you'll always be apologizing or trying make another person who doesn't know you, love you, is that a life I'd want? Nope.