interesting post, but i think that the the term "significant" is rather subjective and u havent provided your readers with your definition. we cannot begin to tackle the greater issues that plague the nation, if we cannot handle our issues first.

i agree, america is obsessed with the most trivial of things. i dont think that attacking individuals involved in this "triviality" will change things. i think we need to look at the way kids are socialized these days, starting with the media and the norms it establishes. of course, a lot of girls see miss universe and wish it was them walking on that stage. but not all of us live up to society's standards of beauty. where do u place these people? people need to find their niche in this world and feel better about themselves, a type of validation.... if a girl feels happy being crowned miss universe, let her be. no matter how shallow her award may be, she is using her publicity to get people to at least listen to her cause. even if this competiton is not as shallow as we think it is, no one would take a country girl seriously if she were to talk about human rights than is she was miss universe. i think that momentum is ncessary for progress.

again, i was unclear about how u used the term "weaker" in ur last paragraph. how are we "weak?" and what is "significant?"

lastly, have you about the functionalist perspective of sociology? society is analogous to an organism that needs all its components to function properly. if one component were to be broken or ill, the organism would die. likewise with society. your last paragraph came off as if the only way to solve america's problems is for people to chose non"lesser professions." a spider can't have 8 heads with 8 brains all thinking independently the same way society we can't have all americans volunteering in the red cross and taking a vow of poverty
elien | 08.30.05 - 7:42 am | #

You're right Elien, taking a vow of poverty won't accomplish much good unless you also pledge to chastity and obedience. ;) But it would be no national tragedy if all Americans volunteered in the Red Cross.

In all seriousness, though, it is very important your motive for aspiring to some calling. David Hume's chief goal in life was to be a famous philosopher -- he wanted applause. Is that good enough? Did that make him worthy of imitation? Pride goes before destruction.

And finally, some "professions" are not only unnecessary to society but are immoral. If losing these players means woe for society, think of what greater woe attaches if they remain!
Nathan Straub | Homepage | 08.30.05 - 1:00 pm | #

interesting post, but i think that the the term "significant" is rather subjective and u havent provided your readers with your definition.

I would argue that September 11th was significant, that Hurricane Katrina is significant, and that the Iraq War is significant. I understand that that isn't exactly a traditional definition, but those examples are some of what I had in mind when I said our preoccupation with the trivial will render us incapable of responding to the significant.

And notice that I say "preoccupation" not "occupation." I'm fine with people being involved in these activities. I'm not fine with our culture over-emphasizing them to the point that my generation ceases to recognize true heroes and follow in their footsteps.

we cannot begin to tackle the greater issues that plague the nation, if we cannot handle our issues first.

I'm not sure that I understand your meaning. Could you clarify?

i agree, america is obsessed with the most trivial of things. i dont think that attacking individuals involved in this "triviality" will change things.

I'm sorry if I came across as attacking any of the people I mentioned. Besides the Miss Universe beauty pageant, which I avoid as a Christian young man, I enjoy following the exploits of all the champions I mentioned. In fact, I believe I said so in my article.

i think we need to look at the way kids are socialized these days, starting with the media and the norms it establishes.

Definitely! I would be interested to hear your opinion on the specific ways that socialization and media contribute to the problem.

of course, a lot of girls see miss universe and wish it was them walking on that stage. but not all of us live up to society's standards of beauty. where do u place these people? people need to find their niche in this world and feel better about themselves, a type of validation.... if a girl feels happy being crowned miss universe, let her be. no matter how shallow her award may be, she is using her publicity to get people to at least listen to her cause.

I completely agree. My only qualifier is that it is not ideal for our young girls to feel that validation only comes from these shallow accomplishments. Though it might be wonderful for a young girl find fulfillment in a trivial pursuit is it not far better for her to find fulfillment doing something of even greater worth?

If we were to make celebrities out of true heroes we could send the message to young people that they don't have be entertainers to gain recognition.

even if this competiton is not as shallow as we think it is, no one would take a country girl seriously if she were to talk about human rights than is she was miss universe. i think that momentum is ncessary for progress.

I would love it if a young person attain celebrity status for some "silly" activity and then use that celebrity status to accomplish meaningful things. And there are many celebrities doing precisely that!

But again, my preference would be that our culture makes people celebrities for accomplishing meaningful things.

again, i was unclear about how u used the term"weaker" in ur last paragraph. how are we "weak?" and what is "significant?"

I am of the opinion that we often turn to media (entertainment) to help us escape from our problems. Heroes on the other hand help us face our problems.

An over obsession with entertainment breeds an escapist culture that cannot withstand a crisis that lasts longer than the average soap opera.
Brett Harris | Homepage | 08.30.05 - 3:05 pm | #

You can say that again! Modern society becomes absolutely ridiculous once we put things in their right perspective...
Shawn Sanders | 08.30.05 - 11:28 pm | #

Word....that's all I can say. I'm in college and last night, at the college ministry, the speaker said we should pick out 2 people in the crowd we want to emulate. Not celebrities, who none the less walk the crooked, wide path, but down-to-earth Christians....
I stumbled onto your blog and I just want to say you're blessed, and as an East Coast gal will say, your blog is "mad tight!"
Stay blessed,
2 Tim 2:4,
Neeci
Neeci | Homepage | 03.03.06 - 1:08 pm | #