Paparazziism: The Definition of 2008

It is one of the worst addictions in America. Maybe even the world. It causes meltdown, stalking, headlines. And it has nothing to do with us, only them. Britney's breakdown, Nicole's baby, Fergie's engagement just to name a few.

Paparazziism, also known as the study of the paparazzi, is daily turning our normal working citizens into imbeciles. I am one of them. Everyday, while bored at my workstation, I find myself straying to various paparazzi sites following up on the latest Britney tragedy of the day. It has nothing to do with intelligence or infatuation, yet everything to do with dissatisfaction in "regular" news.

The growth in celebrity addiction is rising every day because many of us are tiring of reading about politics, death, war and constant crisis. We would rather read about the latest tabloid exploit than deal with the grim reality surrounding our lives. This unhealthy rise in Paparazziism is causing us to live inside a very tight, insecure, material world box.

You may never have heard of the term Paparazziism, but I assure you it will become the new definition in 2008. As our society continues to indulge in the lives of celebrities, and less upon the lives that are truly personal to us, we fail to realize the addiction of this far from reality lifestyle. Some of you may notice a change in mood, style, and rational thought.

Rodeo Drive may become Wal-mart in some of your minds, despite the fact that your yearly salary will only purchase 1 item at one of those little boutique. This is not reality. Exclusive restaurants in the exclusive districts of Hollywood and New York City may be your backyards, but for most of society, they are not within reach.

With the negativity constantly surrounding us in the news and in our daily lives, it can be easy to hang on tight to the crutch that is celebrity lifestyle, however, we need to face the facts. Our country is at war, the presidential election is filled with corruption, overspending and cutthroat philosophies, our economy is falling faster than those lead toys in water and most of us are struggling to pay even the small bills.

Take comfort in the fact that although we daily suffer with each of these issues, we can still enjoy the small fruits of our labors. Take advantage of those quiet walks throughout your town or city, enjoy your trip to the grocery store when you find just the item you need is on sale, love and hug your children and enjoy every precious moment you get to spend with them, and most of all, take to heart the cliché of living as if you were dying.

Unravel yourself from the tight hold that is Paparazziism and step out into the comforts of this world. They are there. It is time that we separate ourselves into fact and fiction. Put the paparazzi out of work and instead put yourself to work doing the things you love. There is no greater worth in life than helping yourself and those around you, rather than wasting those minutes, hours, weeks and months devoting energy to the cynical world of celebrities.

Paparazziism can be cured. Just step away, save that $2.50 on that smut magazine and instead, spend it on the guy behind you who can barely afford to fill his work truck with gas. Do something nice and make a difference, because the paparazzi certainly are not going to do that for you.