G*Nice: We're playing the fame game

As my long-time readers will know, I have endless thoughts and theories about our addiction to social networking. From the perspective of an average man in the street I can chuck my observations and ill-formed opinions at you in the hope that I make some sense. Thankfully, I sometimes come across some opinions from real experts that make me think about these things in a new light and I want to share one of these instances with you.

There was a documentary recently on British TV about the price of fame and how the global fascination with celebrity has ripple effects that are touching the rest of us.

The increasing trend of the past decade with the explosion of celebrity culture and the power of the internet, and all the social tools made available, is that people can become famous without any talent, or reason.

The fact is that whereas in the old days someone would have had to have done something of merit to achieve fame, it's just not the case now. The phenomenon is out of control as anyone can rise to public attention by posting an inane clip on YouTube, which then propels them from that small screen into all areas of our lives.

There is, of course, a positive takeaway from this, which is that, "if they can do it, then I can do it" and that is a great message to send out. For too long we were encouraged to feel that we have limits. Now we can encourage everyone to believe that they should shoot for whatever they want despite all the best advice dispensed by others.

The documentary I watched explained that the social networking platforms like facebook, YouTube, and twitter give us mere mortals the tools to get ourselves out there in a way that we now all have access to our own media network and the movie we are writing and screening is all about us.

This is all well and good if it were a movie in the traditional sense that we all understand. Real movies for the most part are pure fantasy and once we see it with its actors and storylines, it's enjoyed and then forgotten.

The trap we have to be careful to avoid is confusing these movies with the ones we are writing starring ourselves. These are our real lives and it's important that we don't lose sight of who we really are in this enticing, seductive but in some ways dangerous pursuit. Sometimes the simplest phrases can communicate the most potent advice, never truer than in understanding the importance of "Keeping It Real".

Thought-provoking-ingly yours