Americans are obsessed with fame. Lady Gaga devoted an entire album to her love of the celebrity status. ESPN always says a million things about Tim Tebow of the Broncos. And you’re probably reading Steve Jobs’ best-selling autobiography on your new iPad.

But they’re not all that different from us. Or that’s what recent reality shows say. You can be an Italian party girl with an orange tan from New Jersey and still make your dreams come true.

Who needs a college degree when you can just fist pump all night? That’s a one-way ticket to infamy, baby.

But what will these party-oriented reality TV stars be remembered for? I bet we will only remember Farrah, Maci, Amber and Catelynn of MTV’s ‘Teen Mom’ for getting knocked up, not for the specific challenges and hardships each dealt with. And Snooki, famous for her ‘Jerseylicious’ attitude, won’t be remembered for being a successful entrepreneur.

That’s the point, though — no one wants to watch a genius during his or her downtime. Audiences want to watch normalpeople who they can make fun of or relate to. 

Viral videos on YouTube give the impression that anyone can be a celebrity overnight. And that’s the goal of this generation. Everyone wants the world and they want it now. It’s all about instant satisfaction. Reality TV shows give audiences hope. They don’t only watch for the drama, but for the potential next big star.

‘I could be as famous as that someday, I’m just as interesting!’

Our culture is so individualistic that everyone obsesses about becoming a celebrity. People do silly, insignificant actions every day just for that blip of celebrity status, such as updating Facebook, Twitter or blogs with the craziest thing that just happened to you.

Recently, one of my Facebook friends posted: ‘Yay for watching the Halloween movies one after the other after the other all by myself. In my…cold…lonely…dark…basement.’ I’m sorry, but I really don’t care.

Just so you constant status updaters know, no one cares. You may think that everyone really wants to know what you’re thinking, feeling and doing at all times. But they don’t, I promise.

I admit, I have a Facebook, and it definitely gives mea little boost when someone comments on my status or clicks the ‘like’ button on my latest profile picture. It’s normal to love being the center of attention, but it just gets ridiculous sometimes.

But everyone knows that reality television doesn’t give birth to true stars. You may get your 15 minutes of fame, but think about what you are sacrificing. Is being ‘that guy or girl from that show’ really worth having to eat a cow’s eyeball? I think not.

That limelight won’t last forever. And I hear it ruins your complexion.

Jessica Wiggs is a sophomore English and textual studies major. Her column appears every Monday, and she can be reached at jawiggs@syr.edu.

Published on October 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm