Blinded By The Light

The sun is the predominant force in the creation and viability of Earth. All life on Earth is dependent on the sun for warmth and light. Throughout history people have always recognized the power of the sun and for most of human existence worshipped the sun as a god. The sun can give and sustain life but it can also create the circumstances of pain and death. If you glance directly at the sun its power will temporarily impair your vision; if you are foolish enough to stare at it you could go blind.

In society today we are constantly inundated with two things that we, the masses are subconsciously encouraged to worship…celebrity and wealth. Just like the sun’s power to create life, wealth and celebrity are conditions that creates societal power. This power, which seems to have influence over every part of life is not acquired by this small special group but given to them by the majority. Actors who possess the talent to emotionally move audiences, athletes who can hit a ball or regularly put an object into a net, musicians who can stir the soul with instruments and voice are all compensated handsomely for their talents and become celebrities. Wealthy people made so from business or invention are revered by others because of their financial status. We even create celebrities out of regular men and women through “reality” television shows. All, in some form, become elevated by the rest of society to positions of celebrity and that status somehow elevates the value of their opinions. Being a professional athlete does not necessarily make you a great role model for children or understand sociological issues; a successful businessman is probably not an expert on public policy; surviving naked in the jungle with a stranger does not mean your comments on race relations are astute and yet many listen to the opinions of celebrities and those flush with monetary success as if their status elevates them to being an expert on all issues. It seems that society no longer cares about the most fundamental of character or intellect but measures value in correlation to status. Through this distorted lens we have begun to view monetary success and celebrity as a sign of intelligence and strong character. I do not think that having a special talent and being rewarded for it is a bad thing nor do I believe that the acquisition and the possession of wealth is a sin. Being a celebrity and/or wealthy person does not exclude one from being honorable but conversely it does not guarantee high moral standards or intelligence. In a world in which a privileged few are anointed as “stars” it is safe to say that of all the glitter that the rest of us focus on, very little is gold.

So we find ourselves in a world where we are void of strong and competent leadership because as we honor celebrity and wealth we devalue the qualities of a good leader. When we worship those who have talent in a specific area and project that they must be universally talented, we crawl toward our own downfall. As we concurrently become less informed and rely on the opinions of those that we erroneously hold up as super human we become lost. What has become of true talent, virtue, actual character, and a moral code that includes loyalty, honesty, and integrity? These values have become casualties of modern times. We can see evidence of the erosion of common decency and decorum every where we look. It can be seen from the parking lot at the shopping center to the White House and everywhere in between. As we gaze at those who have acquired the moniker of celebrity or have gained wealth we are unable to distinguish between good and bad character. We have become blind to the means by staring too long at the ends.

We now live in a world run by people who are either unfit to lead or ruthless in maintaining power. We listen to those we think better than us and naively believe what they tell us is true. We become unable to see the failings of those we revere and we lose sight of the realities of our world. Meanwhile, life on Earth is becoming more dangerous by the day. Men now speak of nuclear war as if it were an actual solution. People choose gun ownership over the safety of children. Violence and racial unrest is on the rise. Acts of terrorism are now a daily events. Those we have chosen to lead give priority to their own personal gain over our security and most basic of needs. So-called leaders exchange verbal taunts and threats as their citizens brace for the actual fight. As the tipping point of disaster creeps closer we look to those having status for the answers and for our own salvation but they just placate us with lies and stories of their own greatness. In the end they will be in their mansion guarded by security or safe in a bunker when all hell breaks loose and all the suffering will be ours to endure. But in truth, we will be responsible for our own demise because as a group we choose to honor wealth and celebrity over actual intelligence and true character.

Many astrophysicists predict that the end of human kind and the Earth as we know it will come from the awesome power of the sun. In billions of years from now either Earth’s orbit will begin to deteriorate toward the sun or as the sun begins to die it will expand toward the Earth. In both scenarios the planet Earth with become too hot for life to exist. However, if as a society we continue to believe in and follow those that have obtained social status simply by being a celebrity or having wealth we will have destroyed ourselves long before the first unbearably hot day. We must turn away from the bright and disorienting light of our anointed “stars” and re-establish our collective vision. The time has come for us to choose our leaders and who we listen to for guidance based on true intelligence and character not on athletic prowess, artistic talent or acquired wealth.