Thursday 2 October 2008

When I grow up...

What happened to kids wanting to be firemen and astronauts? These days if you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up then you're likely to get the answer; "Famous". Even in my day the answer would be more along the lines of, "a pop star" or "an actress". Now it's simply fame that they're after, no matter where that fame comes from.

It's a sad world. Even sadder when people start singing songs about it. Yes, Pussycat Dolls, I'm talking to you. Now don't you go trying to hide behind all that make-up, I can still see you. Quite frankly I can see far too much of you.

"Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I’d do anything
Anything at all for the boys to notice me"

Well that's just a lovely example to set for young girls isn't it? If you want attention, then get it from boys - by any means necessary.

"But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous"

Er, I hate to rain on your parade but no we don't. In fact I often find myself wondering who in their right mind would want all the baggage that fame brings. Your every move followed, analysed and critiqued by utter strangers; your dirty laundry aired on 24-hour news channels; betrayal by people you once considered friends; oh yes, we all want that don't we?

"When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies"

OK, so I'll give you travelling the world and driving nice cars, but groupies? Seriously? Deranged, sycophantic would-be stalkers obsessed with your every word and action? Right.

"But be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
But you just might get it
But you just might get it"

Ah, a disclaimer. Hello young impressionable children, you want all this exciting fame stuff don't you... oh yes... it's wonderful... oh and just so that you can't blame us when your life starts falling to pieces in your pursuit of fame, you can't say we didn't warn you. Remember the hook in When I Grow Up? No? Oh silly you... must have been blinded by all those cars, the glitz and glamour.

In conclusion: Kids, astronauts are way cool.


3 comments:

The Family T said...

Ah, G-licious, you have returned. I much enjoyed reading the last few entries and was especially tickled by this one. You should go along to their next live interview and heckle them.

I completely agree that astronauts are very cool, although when I was young I wanted to be a hairdresser, potter (as in maker of pots from clay, not Harry) and an archaeologist. Today I am none of those things *sigh*. My only dream of fame was being Ronan from Boyzone's girlfriend. That didn't happen either. Great. I'm going to get back to work now...

The Reluctant Pedant said...

I once saw "celebrity" defined as one who works hard to become famous, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognised.

I can understand people wanting to act, or sing, or dance. I can understand wanting to share your taklent with the world. I cannot understand anyone wanting to be famous just for the sake of being famous.

As ever, you read my mind. It's getting kinda creepy, reading my thoughts on your blog. Are all giraffes psychic or is it just you? ;D

Giraffe-a-licious said...

You know kewryta, I've never thought to ask. Come to think of it, I don't think I want to know. How terrible it would be if I wasn't the only one?!