It was reported at the weekend that fame is indeed fleeting. Fame however, lasts more than 15 minutes. On today’s market it lasts 71 years.
I find the ring of that 1 on the end of 70 to be strangely reassuring and so the number holds a note of authority for me. I mean, if they had done the usual and rounded it off to the nearest 5 and called it 70 I might have scoffed, but the fact that it is a solid sounding 71 makes all the difference in the truth game.
The sad news is that lasting fame, unless you are in the league of the Big Whatever, Shakespeare, or Santa Claus and the elite of the fame crowd, has decreased from 120 years to 71 years in this age of fleeting attention spans. Such is the pace of value these days!
More than once I may have somewhat inaccurately quoted some person that I have forgotten, or never known the name of, that : you live as long as the last person who remembers you survives. To me that is fame; when family and friends remember you, even when you have passed onto the Big Wherever. So in that way, my grandparents live on, as do my Dad, and family and friends. They are famous in my world, the world that counts.
The writer of the article was explaining that the likes of Stevie Wonder would be forgotten very quickly. I hazard an easy guess that if I asked any 8th grade class who poor Stevie Wonder is, that it would draw blank stares already. Fame is a generational, as well as a cultural, construct, is it not? I hope that I haven’t spoiled Stevie’s day, but I suspect that poor Stevie can console himself by phoning his accountant and requesting an update on the number of zeros on the latest balance from his bank account.
As mentioned, some identities, are timeless and cross generations as well as cultures. Take Flamingo Dancers (metaphorically speaking) for instance. A legend in my own mind, and now of course yours! Such fame is infinite. The masses love me. I don’t need anyone to say it, I don’t need my face on the cover of magazines, or be on Larry King’s last lovefest show, for proof. We famous just know when we are famous, and we know how much the little people like you depend upon us to brighten their day. We all know how I brighten your lives, don’t we now, dahlings (no need to reply, I can feel the luv from here)?
So, as you toil through your ordinary lives, don’t fret that you will never be famous. We have proof that not only is fame fleeting, but fame is shrinking every day. Hardly even worth it. Warhol’s 15 minutes really will be the bar someday soon. Some things are eternal and should be left to the worthy – Flamingo Dancers for instance.
Dear FD – I intend to live forever: care to join me?
Oh yes indeed – as long as the quality is maintained! Your plan ?
This post almost made me weep, the crushing truth of it.
Beautifully written FD.
Thank you.
Ah, yes, fame is fleeting. I was surprised to see the name, “Bing Crosby” on one of my daughter’s tests. I loved that! After all, he sings most of the Christmas carols we listen to. So, we watched the movie, “White Christmas,” and they saw hin in action. When he comes on the radio, I point out that it is Bing that is singing. Nice to know that my children are being taught about some of the special people among us that should be appreciated. Of course, they are taught many other things as well. But I was surprised to see Bing Crosby mentioned!
During the last govt in Aust. one of the questions on the citizenship test was a question about a man who played cricket about 50 years ago. There was great debate that it was a silly question that amost young people wouldn’t know, so why expect migrants to know it. All about enculturation of course. Change of govt. and that particular question has been deleted!
And I’m already thinking I knew Flamingo Dancer when…. the when starting at the time you were working in the ‘Basement of Discontent’ many moons ago. Ah, the memories.
I was thinking of the people from the Basement only yesterday. There is only one that I am on a basis of any regular contact, The Assistant, and through her I hear of another. Last I heard of She Who Will Kill Me With Kindness was that she was working in the office of a church. Fitting!
Who knows what horrors await me at the new school in 2011!
so true. when i was a teenager, i was obsessed with the idea of fame. i got over that and reading this reminded me of why the fame i wanted wasn’t the good kind of fame at all!
To me there is celebrity and there is fame. Fame comes from some talent or ability or piece of work. Celebrity is generated by the media and is the Warhol 15 minutes.
If I really did become famous, I would want it to be for writing a book that became a classic, or for doing something that helps humankind. In a perfect world, doing both!
I think I have left my run a little late though! Ho ho ho!
So true. Fame is worthless. I like my world and the people in it. People love me, and I love them. That’s enough.
Thanks for the pick-me-up.
You are welcome – and that is what Christmas is all about isn’t it? Telling people that you love them, and having them love you back! Renews the spirit.
It seems to me that fame is meaningless nowadays. We “give” it to people that are very undeserving. ie. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, etc. So sad.
That said, when I was a teenager, I DREAMED about being famous. Now, I just want to BE. That’s good enough for me.