You're basically suggesting that people who inherit their money undermine professional effort. I agree with you on this point; it's one of the fundamental flaws of capitalism. I don't agree with you when it comes to performers that have worked hard and survived the ruthless cut entertainment is these days; Nas, Jack Nicholson and the ArcadeFire all worked to be the 0.0001% who earn major dollars entertaining people. The entertainment industry is a huge risk; most of the time, when you devote time and effort to a career in music or acting, it pans out to almost zero compensation. Why can't be glad for the few who are talented enough to earn their cash? I'm also somewhat saddened by people who think they can become these celebrities but for me, it's because most people don't see the natural talent and work necessary to create such a prosperous living. Hemingway? Maybe, because most of the profs aren't of his generation. But anybody like Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation, and it's near heresy to suggest that for example, On the Road, is sloppy work.
I can tell you this, the federal budget has a much higher percentage devoted to healthcare, education and science then to nationally sponsored hip hop concerts. Why should individuals focus their attention on "advancement" when their taxes go directly to furnishing,well, everything? We do have government for a reason. And please don't tell me you happen to enjoy going to science fairs rather then a concert with your favorite band/artist.
there is nobody to blame when it comes to priorities. if you want to argue/compare our "values" to other countries, then i think you have something. entertainment is brought on by popular demand and thus big time players get compensated accordingly. nothing unfair going on.
I've never had a problem with the Kobe Bryant's of the entertainment world being richly compensated. But I do have a problem with the fact that almost every scrub in the NBA is paid a seven figure salary. Should Brian Scalabrine really be making $3.2 million? Has any person EVER bought a single ticket to go watch Brian Scalabrine? Is his skill set really that difficult to replace?
I can recognize that Paris Hilton does put in an amount of uh, professional work in the entertainment industry. Heck, she claims she hasn't touched her inheritance money. Debating on that merit, we are in a way celebrating her mediocrity and attention seeking, just as we are with every other 15 minute sensation such as Octomom or the chick who didn't marry that millionaire. Even after their 15 minutes, some get extensions with reality tv shows. That opens the door to people who don't have talent but are able to be a social curiousity or a shocking tragedy. It's like being a starving actor who waits tables during the day isn't good enough anymore. I'm not sure how you can place value upon that.
They do the things we don't get to do, are the people we don't get to be. That makes them unique, and highly valuable.
If this was Rome, there would always be gladiators. Entertainment has a price and if that price is paying a small minority of attention-seeking untalented brats, then so be it. I still maintain that the majority of the money you are griping about is being paid to legitimate artists who worked hard to channel their talents into a profitable venture. That small minority you're describing is only so powerfully gripping because they are a small minority. And oftentimes, their 15 minutes leads not to wealth but to dismal conditions; isn't Octomom basically out on a limb now? Not like she's a multi-millionaire. I'll be honest though, an Octomom/Paris Hilton gladiator match...I'd be so down for that. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find super-tall people with the skill set Scalabrine has. Obviously he's overpaid, but he still is really rare, one of the 250 elite basketball athletes in the world and he's being compensated for that. He might not directly contribute to the team pulling in $3.2 million, but the small parts add up. He isn't just an individual product; he's part of the Boston Celtics package and that package earns a crapload of revenue. The owner in this case is being incompetent and paying someone a bit too much but hey, I mean, look at the slackers in the average workplace. Can't tell me we all get paid what we put in (obviously, different degrees but still just getting into the NBA is like scoring a top Wall Street job for example...or at least before that all went to crap) dude, that is pretty sick about Hendrix. that's like legendary win. Thankfully though, your science fair dilemma is easily solved; you can pay taxes and go to science fairs! YAY
I'm griping about bread and circuses more than the money. I compare money because our culture uses it as a major indicator of success. Bread and circuses did wonders for Rome. It has done wonders for us in the last 8 years, and it is continuing to work it's magic... I enjoy a good action movie like Iron Man. But it's still very frivolous. You can call it art. You can put lipstick on a pig and call it art. Send the concept to Johnny Knoxville or Sarah Palin, and they can work in their own ways to entertain you. Still frivolous to me. I think you're misunderstanding me with the money angle. It's not that I want to artificially deflate or inflate the amount paid to artists or "hard working professionals". My gripe is about the premium public places upon their value. It's where jobs that can greatly impact individual lives are considered mundane and where mundane people earn unjustified amounts of fame or notoriety. And while you're claiming that attention seeking or shock inducing hacks are a small minority, those types of reality tv shows are pretty damn profitable. They were very effective alternatives during the writer's strike, and the fad will likely continue to grow as advertising dollars shrink. The market seems to like frivolity... You could save the ticket stub and have your own "I went to see Hendrix" moment 40 years from now on Clutchfans. That would be the same kind of entertainment, right?
I'd gladly spend $20k a year on tuition at a good school . I would grudginly spend $500 on basketball games for same year. Yet Yao will make tons more than my professor or president for that matter will. Does that make me frivolous? I dont think so. I'd rather grab a beer with Jack Bauer (ok, maybe not) than my doctor. Doesn't mean I value my doctor less.
