Fame and Money

When I was taking one of my media classes we were learning about freedom of speech. It is a great freedom to have, indeed. My professor handed out a sheet of paper with music lyrics typed on it. She then asked, "Do you think this song should be on the radio? Do you think it should be censored instead? Keep in mind, our freedom of speech."

I looked at the lyrics to the song, which were completely appalling. Not only would parents be furious for hearing such a song on the radio, but I am sure even adults without kids would. Additionally, people who are easily influenced by the media may even take the song's direction in killing people as some of the lyrics of the song spoke of.

The artist of this particular song was a famous rapper. Is that why such a song can get on the radio? Because of his name? Is it really worth putting something like that on the radio?

Could I go to a music studio, write anything I want, produce it, and make a radio station play it, and if they don't, tell them, "You are censoring me. This is my freedom of speech being violated!"?

Many things are censored. I always laugh at the movies that are on TV with an obvious censor in there. You know, the ones where there is a voice dubbed on top of the actor's, covering the bad word?

I just read an article that Laura Bush is writing a children's book, and it all ready is planned to be published by HarperCollins. The proceeds of this book are going to two education programs: Teach for America and The New Teacher Project.. This is planned to be published in 2008. Now, I think that it is great that the proceeds are going to education. But it just was a reminder to me of how many people who, after becoming famous, was able to write a book and get it published just like that. Let's read a book by Bill Clinton book or OJ Simpson.

A no-name novelist could write a wonderful tale, but since no one has heard of them, they have the hardest time getting anything published.

I suppose one could argue that those famous people were once no-names too. But I do feel that many times that after someone becomes famous, they can do anything they want to. They can write a book, start their own magazine, have their own clothing line, make-up, fragrance, be a singer, make a movie, a documentary, or have a cartoon based off of you and people out there will buy it. Is it because it's an amazing, unique thing never seen before? No. It's because of the name and the fame.

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people out there that just have talent in all areas. But I highly doubt Celine Dion worked in the fragrance lab to make the perfume. Perhaps she said, "Yeah that smells good, we'll go with that."

Paris Hilton, the young woman who is famous for being famous gets her own music CD. I am not sure if she has true talent or if it was doctored in the recording studio. But this is just another example to me of: if you have the name you can produce anything.

My sister-in-law published a book. She published a book with a company in which got money in other ways than just selling their books. Basically, they publish books if they feel it is unique and artistic. They do not publish books that will necessarily make their company money. My sister-in-law got paid of course. Most book publishers will base their decision on: "Will this sell a lot of copies" instead of, "This person has a lot of talent and should be recognized." It makes sense to do it this way, because publishing houses have to make money too. But it just goes to show...

These companies have to look out for themselves too. If someone is famous, has the name, and has something to share companies will want to snatch that up. Where there are fans, there is a buying audience.

It seems like nowadays people would do almost anything to become famous. All these reality shows that make people do and act in such absurd ways is also crazy nonsense. And why not have these shows? People are watching them, and they can pay these people less than real actors.

I am interested to see where the media takes us from now on. I do not like how people take advantage of their freedom of speech either. It should not be the only reason why a song or a publication gets out to the public. If they want it out to the public so bad they can self-promote it. I do not think a radio station should have to put up anything they don't like, just because someone famous wrote it.

Then again...if people will listen because the famous artist wrote a new song, then why not? They're getting paid. And I guess in many cases, money is all that matters to people.