Fame

Fame and celebrity is a curious phenomenon. I define a celebrity simply as someone who is known by many more people than they themselves know. With TV, Movies, and print media, more and more people have varying degrees of fame.

The general public will often go to great lengths for a chance handshake, autograph or photograph connecting them to someone famous. Magazines devoted to following the lives of celebrities testifies to our insatiable desire to know about the famous.

Recently I have had some experiences that prompted me reflect on fame.
Fame is...

• Influential
  Statements or Causes from famous people are often given credibility because of the person behind them, not because they have any merit. This is very powerful.
  
• Fleeting
  Remember M.C Hammer? Michael Jordan? Out of sight quickly becomes out of mind.
  
• Confining
  Extremely famous people actually live in a borderless prison. Simple activities such as going to a theme park or a shopping mall may be very difficult. I know they have to run in and out of restaurants before they are recognized and harassed. Even bodyguards are necessary in some cases.
  
• Elusive
  Even if millions of people know your name, there are probably a few billion people in the world who don't know and don't care who who are. A person who sets out to be truly famous has a very difficult task.


• Deceiving
  Famous people often have a superhuman aura. Their presence inspires feelings of awe and wonder. However, they are normal people (with abnormal ability perhaps) that do regular things - eating, sleeping, relieving themselves - they are normal people.
  
• Painful
  The failures of famous people are often broadcast more loudly than their successes. Things kept private for most people quickly become public knowledge. Gossip appears to have no limits. Considerering famous people are people, it must be painful sometimes.
  
• Endearing
  Everywhere they go, many famous people are often greeted with big smiles and warm welcomes from friends and strangers. VIP treatment is nice.
  

Fame is both a gift and a burden granted to a few people in this world. All told, I think fame isn't something to be desired or despised, but used for good like any other gift.