For ages now we've been sitting in the morning meeting, and the afternoon meeting, talking around and around in circles about those celebrity stories that everyone's talking about (or trying to avoid) — mostly, Paris Hilton's jail term, and Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears' rehab stints. It's not the sort of thing we typically cover, but since we are called TALK of the Nation, we like to try to figure ways into stories that people are talking about, even if they're not front-page news. Do you follow these stories? Are you ashamed to admit it if you do? Why? In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a proud subscription-holder of US Weekly, and have a list a mile-long of folks to whom my back issues get passed along. To me, there's no better treat on a long bus ride home than a dose of tabloid gossip, but even I get tired of it sometimes. Do you?
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I think celebrity coverage raises awareness of issues in the general culture that we should address. Coverage of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan reveals the problems young adults have with drugs, alcohol and emotional issues. Celebrities are overloaded with paparazzi, but at least we're paying attention to someone. The coverage is fueled by our human interest in each other. That's a good thing.
Paris' recent breakdown in jail shows how our criminal justice system destroys people's mental health. Because people care about Paris, her plight will inspire people to improve the system for everyone. Celebrities are like vibrant canaries straying into the dark mines of neglect where we've abandoned lesser-knowns to perish. Celebrities bring the light of our concern in with them.
I keep an eye on celebrity doings so I can bring my concerns into blogs. When I heard Britney Spears was put on bipolar meds, I blogged right in with a link to the dangerous side-effects of psychiatric drugs which doctors often don't reveal. I know readers are absorbed in a subculture that might not otherwise get this more academic information, so it's a great opportunity to give it.
I have heard that the incidence of date rape drugs is very high. Traumas on such drugs usually go undetected, but emotional problems result. This typically occurs in attractive young women who party around sketchy guys. Young people who have been slipped a drug like GHB appear giddy, sociable and elated at first. So, when they leave the party with several guys, witnesses think it's consensual. When the victim is disoriented afterward, witnesses say her story isn't clear. D.A.'s often disqualify cases because these witnesses are unaware of how to spot behavior induced by GHB. Educating other party-goers who google celebrities helps prevent these very destructive crimes. I wonder how much this issue effects some socialites in the public eye. At least we have a public eye. At least we aren't turning a blind eye and deaf ears on everyone.
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