I'm not that old, but I can recall a time when books were not judged by the covers; and the author's name was *below* the title, in small print. There was no wild, flaming artwork; there was no author portrait; there was no blurb in terse, snappy copy; there was no promotional propaganda. A book was...well, a book -- not a hotly hyped product in the marketplace.
What's wrong with the current publishing trend in building a handful of authors into 'larger-than-life' celebrity figures? Well, compare it to actor/actress celebrities; sports celebrities; and any other media/culture celebrities: they seem to dominate the market, regardless of quality. Even if they start out with blazing talent, the well might run dry; and yet, once the name is *made*, the public is sure to continue getting high doses of these few celebs in the arts/entertainment field. After a long period of time, the general public comes to seemingly want what is being offered -- but, let's face it, how does John Q. Public know whether or not he might like something else, if he never has a choice?
Folks, this is the real problem with making artists into celebrities: there's no room for the newcomer, no place for a new talent, a different voice, a unique singer/poet/ storyteller/artist/writer. They don't have a chance to make that climb to the top -- only one or two will inch into the tiny niche open to newcomers.
You may be thinking, 'So what? We can't all be rich and famous!" And you'd be correct: But IF the successful ones at the very top weren't making ridiculous, exorbitant incomes, there'd sure be more room for talented writers/ singers/artists/entertainers to offer widely diverse choices to the public. The expensive promotional hype alone on ONE NOVEL would allow untold talented writers a chance to break into print! And who knows what readers might like, if they actually had such choices?
I won't even go into the emotional/psychological implications of artists who become spoiled silly, and begin to think maybe they are indeed GOD, since the public treats them that way. That kind of fame and wealth brings its own bad karma. The few times I watched 'Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous'...I had to wonder about anyone who indulges in buying solid gold faucets for their luxurious bathroom! And I'm not going to elaborate on how this money could be used to help solve some of our pressing social ills.
I don't know how you feel about artists-celebs but frankly, I think a few of them could use a good indoctrination into ageless spiritual truths -- the spirit of giving, modesty, humble gratitude, etc. This all applies to business leaders, politicians and just about anyone who has found themselves on the top of the heap -- they need to be reminded that they are only HUMAN. That a tiny grain of their success might just be luck, chance, or that strange, fickle finger of Fate. And stop taking it all for granted, remembering that they live in a society where one of those less fortunate people out here might crash headlong into them -- bringing them a measure of revolting reality.
Before you rush into thinking, "But oh, some celebs DO give to charity, help the less fortunate..." just sit down and watch an episode of 'Rich & Famous'...and see if it doesn't make you wonder how much MORE they could do with the wealth it takes to live an opulent, decadent lifestyle.
But then, wretched excess has always been with us -- and though it represents the essence of 'capitalism', it still bothers me that some creative artists, sports figures, politicians, businessmen, those who represent role models for our youth, are so woefully inadequate in this highly regarded position. If you look around though, you might understand some of the root-causes of crime now; we need alternatives, new choices -- in reading material, in entertainment, in every avenue of education for our youth. Otherwise, we are all on a sinking ship -- and it may already be too late to bail out.
