One thing that social media has done is given everyone a platform to voice their opinions without being filtered through editors, PR people and media specialists.
For people like you and me, who are not famous, social media enables us to shout loudly into the void (instead of writing in our diaries or complaining to others in the bar).
For professional athletes, actors, reporters, politicians and singers, social media has given them a platform to publish their opinions, comment on current events in real time and pontificate ad infinitum – regardless of whether they have any experience, expertise or even a rudimentary understanding of an issue.
This was exacerbated during the pandemic – specially the first year when lockdowns and distancing requirements shut down many businesses and entertainment venues.
It’s become quite clear to me that there are a lot of stupid people who are “famous”.
- A famous singer refused to get a Covid vaccine because she heard a friend of her cousin got swollen testicles from the vaccine. Pundits were horrified that she’d influence her millions of followers to not get vaccinated.
- A top NFL quarterback said he was “immunized” when asked if he had been vaccinated. When he contracted Covid and it was leaked he hadn’t been vaccinated, he said he was following the “Joe Rogan” protocol for immunization.
- An NBA all star who refuses to get vaccinated is forgoing tens of millions of dollars because his team requires the vaccination. Of course, this player also has said the earth is flat.
I could go on with many examples.
- Successful tech entrepreneurs who founded the right business at the right time are looked upon as wise oracles – when they really don’t know shit about life, people or society.
- Trust fund kids who think they know best how to lead the country despite never having walked a mile in a normal person’s shoes or worried about paying a bill
My point is that being famous doesn’t make you wise. Being successful in one area doesn’t give you any particular expertise in another area. Being rich means you have a lot of money – not necessarily a lot of brains.
And so, no, I’m not aghast when a comedian says something stupid, a Kardashian makes a faux pas, a reporter blindly repeats the party line, a singer acts reprehensibly or an athlete says something totally stupid.
I don’t look for wisdom and authority from these people. I expect comedians to be funny, athletes to be skillful at their sport, actors to be believable in roles, and singers to make music. I could care less what they think about politics, healthcare, social issues or my life.
I had a mentor for many years who I would go to for advice. Frequently he would say to me, “I have no experience with that and cannot offer you any advice. I’m sorry – I can’t even offer a good opinion.”
But then, he would help me find someone who had experience or expertise who could help.
Of all the things he taught me, I think this was one of the most important.