Why Do We Highly Value the Opinions of Famous People?

It is an alchemy of the modern age, that the cult of celebrity is so able to transform the limited proficiency of entertainers into a presumption of all-around expertise, one which the public too often accepts for gold. Men and women whose vocal cords vibrate nicely are somehow assumed to also possess definitive knowledge on every subject they might pontificate upon; their views on government, environment, and spirituality are held above the conclusions of professional historians, scientists, and ministers. The magic of celebrity makes every Bono a de facto Plato; his opinions are revered as godlike revelation. Homer’s proverbial warning not to heed the voice of sirens remains as true as ever. Therefore do as Odysseus: fill your ears with wax whenever you hear celebrities spouting their ideas with disproportioned authority, or else risk being enchanted by fame into acknowledging an otherwise unqualified perspective.