It didn't take long...building people up to knock them down.

[LaoTzu]

Not that I care... lol

But it didn't take long for Phelps to get himself knocked down a few pegs in the eyes of the media.

I haven't followed any of it, and I'm not interested in the specifics of this case; but I'll just say that if he was taking perscription downers, nobody would give a shit....

I'm more interested in the constant building up of people, so as to ensure maximum coverage when those same people get knocked down.

I have no doubt that the 'hero' pilot who ditched in the Hudson to save the crew will soon be found out to have been a tax-dodging alcoholic who touched his niece in an inappropriate manner while shooting heroin and reading the Communist Manifesto to a group of Al-Quaeda terrorists....



Psychologically, I'm wondering what the far reaching effects of this constant fame meets infamy storyline is for the average person... Would you not think it would discourage people from wanting to achieve some sort of fame? Is it possible that may be the goal of this scandal driven media?
Why are people drawn to living vicariously, and taking joy in the fall of others?

[Mozzes]

I don't know why everyone is so shocked when they discover that all of their heroes are merely human.

[walden]

The kid had a DWI before the Olympics, it's not like he was a perfect human being before this happened. I should offer to lend him my healthy paranoia (for a fee) so that he doesn't make any stupid mistakes like this again. Not that I like the guy, but it is painful to watch someone do something so stupid, considering the spotlight shone upon him.

[jikin]

We're not perfect, so when we see someone else who appears to be we want them to be knocked down so we can be certain that they are not either. Life is competitive, and we don't want others to be "better" than us.

[rewhu]

I thought the coverage of Phelps at the Olympics was really unfair to his teammates. During the relay races the camera barely showed any other American swimmer in the water. Instead of letting the viewers watch the guy swimming his ass off, the camera would show a close up of Phelps cheering. Why?

I can't stand obsessive celebrity culture. The building up or the breaking down - none of it makes any sense to me.

[Nyctalop]

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't still be considered a hero. If he was just drinking or smoking, nobody would have given a damn. But because he was sucking on a bong, everyone is in shock. Just take it as a sign that marijuana needs to be legalized. If the president of the USA and its top athlete smoke the ganja, do everyone a favor and stop outlawing nature.

[INTJRyan]

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't still be considered a hero. If he was just drinking or smoking, nobody would have given a damn. But because he was sucking on a bong, everyone is in shock. Just take it as a sign that marijuana needs to be legalized. If the president of the USA and its top athlete smoke the ganja, do everyone a favor and stop outlawing nature.

This. I actually like Phelps better now. He is more human rather than some mechanical freak of nature.

[walden]

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't still be considered a hero. If he was just drinking or smoking, nobody would have given a damn. But because he was sucking on a bong, everyone is in shock. Just take it as a sign that marijuana needs to be legalized. If the president of the USA and its top athlete smoke the ganja, do everyone a favor and stop outlawing nature.

I'm not quite sure how swimming fast makes him a hero though.

[Nyctalop]

I'm not quite sure how swimming fast makes him a hero though.

When you are the best at what you do, you are an example for the world. It takes a lot of courage, ambition and most of all, hard work to succeed. Anyone that is able to break a world record is a hero in my book.

[HeyZeus]

I want to start a media company that snoops around prominent reporters and opinion makers, and catches them smoking grass or cheating on their spouses/taxes, or just generally being nasty with people. I'd like to publish the dirt on these mudslinging hypocrites. Phelps smoked grass--enjoy Michael, you deserve some relaxation. Now, indulge in some young ladies, Olympic hero. Think Bode Miller smokes grass? Who wants to be a boy scout mythical B.S. hero to the masses? It's never real, and Phelps didn't sign up to be America's hermetically sealed hero. Mike--smoke all the grass you like. If you don't win another competition you're still OK.

[SShack]

I want to start a media company that snoops around prominent reporters and opinion makers, and catches them smoking grass or cheating on their spouses/taxes, or just generally being nasty with people. I'd like to publish the dirt on these mudslinging hypocrites. Phelps smoked grass--enjoy Michael, you deserve some relaxation. Now, indulge in some young ladies, Olympic hero. Think Bode Miller smokes grass? Who wants to be a boy scout mythical B.S. hero to the masses? It's never real, and Phelps didn't sign up to be America's hermetically sealed hero. Mike--smoke all the grass you like. If you don't win another competition you're still OK.

The problem is that nobody cares what the folks in the media do. These guys are openly hypocritical and people still listen to them because they validate what they already believe. Remember Rush's drug addiction?

[metamagnet]

This. I actually like Phelps better now. He is more human rather than some mechanical freak of nature.

Word

[SeaCzar]

Psychologically, I'm wondering what the far reaching effects of this constant fame meets infamy storyline is for the average person....


The "average person" is really the lion's share of the public. As evidence, I offer shows like Oprah, Inside Edition, local "news", the National Enquirer, et al, reality shows in general, and a plethora of talking heads. Its the nosey bastards, who have no lives of their own, that give these various media outlets ratings, and hence money. As a society, we have no one to blame but ourselves.[/QUOTE]

Would you not think it would discourage people from wanting to achieve some sort of fame?

No. I would suggest that this encourages almost everyone to want their "fifteen minutes".

Is it possible that may be the goal of this scandal driven media?

Media goals = ratings & $$$. Its that simple.

Why are people drawn to living vicariously, and taking joy in the fall of others?

Basic human nature. Its a sheeple thing.

One final note. I am disappointed in Phelps not because he does bong hits, but because he allowed himself to be put in a situation where he could be photographed doing so. If this is a lesson for him, its not to quit doing bong hits occasionally, but to realise who your friends are and who you can trust. If he learns that lesson, this whole thing will have been worth it. Martha Stewart learned that the hard way. A better question is why, once one achieves this kind of celebrity, does one need so many hangers-on?