The Pros & Cons of Being Famous

With the quick development of modern science and technology, especially Internet, being famous becomes easier and easier. Just like everything has its good and bad points, fame, also has its advantages and disadvantages.

A famous person is generally greeted with respect and courtesy, which in turn boosts his pride and ego. He is talked about universally and the public queue up just to get a glimpse of him. Take those NBA stars for example, they not only receive world focus, but also accumulate vast money. So many fans spend a lot of money and time just on enjoying their performance or getting their signature.

When a person is famous, he lives in a world of kindness and deference. People are ready to serve their slightest whims and fancies. They go all out to please him, simply because he is a celebrity, not other reasons.

Being famous may well be a passport in itself in many ways. A famous man is seldom questioned or detained at a customs house. He is allowed to pass through with dignity and respect. Unlike a common person like us, he will not be pushed around or harassed without a thought about his feelings.

A famous man is usually met with pomp and ceremony. Every detail, however minute, will be arranged and looked into carefully. Each time, his likes and dislikes will be seriously considered. Outwardly at least, the world is his oyster. However, this is not really the case, as fame has its fair share of attendant drawbacks.

The first thing happens to a man of fame is his loss of privacy. He has to renounce his individuality to become a public figure. His obligations to the public are such that they encroach on his personal life. The public insist on knowing everything and anything about a celebrity. They dissect his as they dig and delve into his personal affairs, making his life a complete misery.

Famous people’s lives are governed by public thought and censure. Being in the limelight, they are not free to do anything that they like. They have to be careful in thoughts, actions, words and behaviors. They lead artificial and unnatural lives in order to live up to the public’s image of them.

On top of this, their lives are also surrounded by hatred, jealousy and malicious gossip. People, especially their rivals wait for them to make the slightest slip, making them objects of ridicule when this happen. Sometimes their family members will live a much more miserable life because of their fame.

Even for themselves, they live in fear of the safety of their lives. Each public appearance is an ordeal as it might mean death. They are not able to distinguish their genuine friends from the false ones. They become unsure of themselves and their identity.

On the whole, I would not want to sacrifice a normal life with loyal friends and freedom for fame and its advantages. Of course, I will try my best to earn public respect and courtesy through my struggle and my efforts.