Who Cares?

When motion pictures first began, the movie houses felt that the movie itself was the most influential part of the organization.  However, the general public did not agree.  Instead, movie goers insisted on making the actors themselves the focal point.  It's an interesting social observation that we continue to be so fascinated with celebrities.  We place them on pedestals and devour information about their personal lives.  We devote time and money into following their escapades.  Some of the smartest people I know are able to spout out facts about what celebrity is married to another, their children, where they've vacationed, etc.  I don't get this at all.   Why do we care about complete strangers?  Why do we follow their every move like stalkers?   Why are there several publications lining either side of the grocery store checkout stands with headlines about celebrities?

I find that the more I know about them, the less I like them.  Some of them, I can't even watch a movie that they star in because in my mind, that person is tainted with too many distasteful opinions.  For years I've avoided learning their names, or listening to anything they’re saying off the big screen.   I've realized that I enjoy the talent of the person and/or the purity of the movie and the unfolding of the story more if my mind is not distracted with personal factoids that have nothing to do with the performance itself.  I wonder what our society would be like if we all ignored them and just focused on the storytelling itself…