A place to continue discussions started in class or start new ones.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Celebrity Politicians
Is it just me, or has America portrayed our political canidates as celebrities? How do you view the subject? Are they really superior to us citizens? Are they an "actor" or a leader?
I do agree that we make our politicians sound like celebrities.They are not better than us, were just obsessed with people and love to figure out what they are doing. Its kind of sad that we are more interested in other peoples lives that we barely know rather than our best friends life. The pictures do evoke our emotions though with the kids. If these politicians can care for kids like the pictures make it seem like they do, can't they care for a country. It is just a way for people to relate one thing to another. The kids represent our country and how well they take care of one represents how they will take care of the other.
It's simply part of American culture to make people in the public eye seem superior. Of course these people are "leaders", just as celebrities are. What they wear and how they act affects the masses, or at least the people that pay attention. Children are always expected to bring forth pathos, which could possibly work in Obama's favor.
We treat politicians like celebs without a doubt. Obama worried me when he first began his campaign because of the attention he was getting. This automaticaly turned him into a pop icon running for president of the united states. Its difficult to say why we are choosing politcians as pop icons rather than leaders in Washington. Obama might be the first black president, therefore people want to endorse him materialisticly. Sarah Palin is a female running mate. Therefore, she should be in the public eye. I think people see politics too much as a means of pop culture much rather than the future of our nation.
In our society, anyone in the public eye is a "celebrity". They aren't "superior" to us, they just receive a lot more attention that the average Joe. Naturally, being candidates for the presidential election, the media will spotlight most of their attention towards them because they are "in" and many people believe them to be "interesting" because they are put on such a pedastal, above most everyone else. Yes, they are leaders. Their actions and statements affect society indirectly. The photos shown portray Obama in a good light, utilizing pathos to sway a person to vote for him because he is family-oriented. However, Palin's Us magazine front cover does the opposite, with the use of the words "scandal" and "lies". People don't want a scandalous liar as our Vice President. However, in the other magazine, she is called "America's HOTTEST Governor", a term that is not normally affiliated with a politician.
While I agree with Ms. Chepregi's argument, I have come to notice that in an election that claims to be "about the issues," a lot of work and money is being used to thrust the candidates into the public eye in a manner similar P.R. people of "celebrities" like Brittney Spears or Madonna.
today in American society presidential candidates recieve more publicity than the normal celebrities we hear about all throughout the year. This year is even bigger because the candidates are complete opposites. Ever since Palin was declared the vp for McCain, her family has been the center of attention, competing with Obama's family. However as soon as we have a new president in a few weeks all this publicity will come to an end for another 3 years.
We do view them as celebrities because Obama is a super hero dad! and Palin is the HOT vice-president who knows nothing. These photos make Plain seem like she has alot on her hands and she is only liked by who she is liked by because of her looks and she decided to keep her baby so that makes her a superwoman by having a 5 kids a grandchild on the way and she seems to be balancing all of them. Also Obama is seemed to be connected to the people because of the shirt and have this nice welcoming family with a beautiful wife and precious daughters.
the reason why these candidates are seen as celebrities these days is because this could possibly be the most important election in all american history. ethically, what someone looks like shouldnt make a difference on whether or not they get into office, however, in this great land we call america, the beautiful and some-what talented with connections get the attention and act as the leaders of our nation.
Honestly, I feel like this election is coming down to a popularity contest. Just like the shirt that girl in the picture was wearing; people, expecially young adults, might not even know a thing about Obama but see shirts in their favorite stores with his face all over them. No one is going to want to buy a shirt with McCains old face on the front, so they "buy Obama." That's exactly what I feel like this election is all about. Who is selling more? Who is the bigger image? Who looks better on a magazine cover? But really looks and fame mean nothing when they have to deal with political issues so why are these "leaders" pretraying themselves as the new favorite "celebrity." And no, I don't believe these politicians are "superior" to US citizens...who are we to judge?
Oh, i strongly agree. The sad thing about America is that rather than idolizing our poets and our intellectuals, we celebrate the celebritys and athletes. So as Americans we like to see most things (even political) in a flashier light. So by putting these names into catchy phrases on shirts and advertising on things besides bumper stickers, you're appealing to the average american. These are also there to appeal to the young crowd, (18-26), and to accomodate them so that these issues become less policitcal and just another fashionable trend.
11 comments:
I do agree that we make our politicians sound like celebrities.They are not better than us, were just obsessed with people and love to figure out what they are doing. Its kind of sad that we are more interested in other peoples lives that we barely know rather than our best friends life.
The pictures do evoke our emotions though with the kids. If these politicians can care for kids like the pictures make it seem like they do, can't they care for a country. It is just a way for people to relate one thing to another. The kids represent our country and how well they take care of one represents how they will take care of the other.
It's simply part of American culture to make people in the public eye seem superior. Of course these people are "leaders", just as celebrities are. What they wear and how they act affects the masses, or at least the people that pay attention. Children are always expected to bring forth pathos, which could possibly work in Obama's favor.
We treat politicians like celebs without a doubt. Obama worried me when he first began his campaign because of the attention he was getting. This automaticaly turned him into a pop icon running for president of the united states. Its difficult to say why we are choosing politcians as pop icons rather than leaders in Washington. Obama might be the first black president, therefore people want to endorse him materialisticly. Sarah Palin is a female running mate. Therefore, she should be in the public eye. I think people see politics too much as a means of pop culture much rather than the future of our nation.
In our society, anyone in the public eye is a "celebrity". They aren't "superior" to us, they just receive a lot more attention that the average Joe. Naturally, being candidates for the presidential election, the media will spotlight most of their attention towards them because they are "in" and many people believe them to be "interesting" because they are put on such a pedastal, above most everyone else. Yes, they are leaders. Their actions and statements affect society indirectly. The photos shown portray Obama in a good light, utilizing pathos to sway a person to vote for him because he is family-oriented. However, Palin's Us magazine front cover does the opposite, with the use of the words "scandal" and "lies". People don't want a scandalous liar as our Vice President. However, in the other magazine, she is called "America's HOTTEST Governor", a term that is not normally affiliated with a politician.
While I agree with Ms. Chepregi's argument, I have come to notice that in an election that claims to be "about the issues," a lot of work and money is being used to thrust the candidates into the public eye in a manner similar P.R. people of "celebrities" like Brittney Spears or Madonna.
today in American society presidential candidates recieve more publicity than the normal celebrities we hear about all throughout the year. This year is even bigger because the candidates are complete opposites. Ever since Palin was declared the vp for McCain, her family has been the center of attention, competing with Obama's family. However as soon as we have a new president in a few weeks all this publicity will come to an end for another 3 years.
We do view them as celebrities because Obama is a super hero dad! and Palin is the HOT vice-president who knows nothing. These photos make Plain seem like she has alot on her hands and she is only liked by who she is liked by because of her looks and she decided to keep her baby so that makes her a superwoman by having a 5 kids a grandchild on the way and she seems to be balancing all of them. Also Obama is seemed to be connected to the people because of the shirt and have this nice welcoming family with a beautiful wife and precious daughters.
the reason why these candidates are seen as celebrities these days is because this could possibly be the most important election in all american history. ethically, what someone looks like shouldnt make a difference on whether or not they get into office, however, in this great land we call america, the beautiful and some-what talented with connections get the attention and act as the leaders of our nation.
Honestly, I feel like this election is coming down to a popularity contest. Just like the shirt that girl in the picture was wearing; people, expecially young adults, might not even know a thing about Obama but see shirts in their favorite stores with his face all over them. No one is going to want to buy a shirt with McCains old face on the front, so they "buy Obama." That's exactly what I feel like this election is all about. Who is selling more? Who is the bigger image? Who looks better on a magazine cover? But really looks and fame mean nothing when they have to deal with political issues so why are these "leaders" pretraying themselves as the new favorite "celebrity." And no, I don't believe these politicians are "superior" to US citizens...who are we to judge?
Oh, i strongly agree. The sad thing about America is that rather than idolizing our poets and our intellectuals, we celebrate the celebritys and athletes. So as Americans we like to see most things (even political) in a flashier light. So by putting these names into catchy phrases on shirts and advertising on things besides bumper stickers, you're appealing to the average american. These are also there to appeal to the young crowd, (18-26), and to accomodate them so that these issues become less policitcal and just another fashionable trend.
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