15 Minutes of SHAME

In class we discussed the well-know quote "In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes" by Andy Warhol. I believe that in life everyone will be famous for something. One can be famous by being the biggest movie star in the world or by being the town's high school quarterback. Fame is not something easily defined. When looked up, fame means "great renown" or "reputation." One can be famous or have great renown for something and not have the whole world know about it. It all depends on how one looks at the idea of fame. Between a group of friends, one can be well-known for being a drunk. The whole world may not know about it, but in their group or "world," that is what the person is famous for.
In today's world, it seems as though everyone desires for the whole world to know who they are. Because of the internet and things, like YouTube and MySpace, it is much easier for a person to put themselves out there for the world to see. With reality TV shows, like Keeping Up With The Kardashians, people are almost becoming famous for nothing. In the past, people had to do something extraordinary or controversial to be well-known. Now, people can just turn the cameras on their lives and have people watch. I believe that the term "fame" has almost been tarnished by what the world make famous. We almost all now desire to watch train-wrecks to give us a laugh. For example, Rebecca Black's "Friday" song and music video is one of the most-watched videos in YouTube history. Did people watch that because it was one of the best music videos or songs ever. NO! People watch things like that because they like to make stupid and funny things famous. It is almost like that quote, "It is so bad that it is good." As technological advancements continue, the world will most likely continue in rewarding people for doing idiotic things so they will get their "15 minutes of fame."

Jeffrey K.