Who is Emily Gould?

The diluted atmosphere of celebrity-tracking journalism is enough to make even the sternest, fact-checking writer feel light-headed. Sucking much of the credibility out of this profession is Emily Gould, former editor of Gawker.com. A career advocate for the ogling of celebrities, Gould has come under considerable fire from celebrities and publicists for the release of the Gawker-Stalker map which tracks celebrity's movements through text message. If a celebrity is spotted by a Gawker.com fan and reported via text message, his or her location will be made known to all who visit the site. Some fear that this feature of the website will enable real stalkers to be dangerously aware of their targets which could lead to scenarios as bad as injury or death.

Integrity and objective insight are qualities which the media have been utilized for since the dawn of true journalism. Granted, the polarization between left and right winged media outlets has become quite a problem, there is still at least a faint bit of idealistic thought that anyone is just a fact check away from ousting a dishonest journalist from their position. But, Gould's reference to "citizen journalism" on the Larry King Live Show -- guest hosted by Jimmy Kimmel -- has removed any semblance of accountability when it comes to information being published and distributed to the masses.

Aside from a massive diversion from the real issues that people face in today's world like two wars in the Middle East, an economic recession, the upcoming presidential elections and a everything else relevant, the energy and excitement that goes into publications focusing on the lives of celebrities is just perverse. Apparently some people in the United States have taken being upwardly mobile for granted so much that they must critique their competitive counterparts on the celebrity scene they project themselves upon. Realistically, the people that write about celebrities are no famous at all. They may have careers, albeit successful ones that involve bringing to light every aspect of a celebrity's existence, but their own accomplishments relative to someone of celebrity status are fairly miniscule. It's as if they're jumping the gun to become megalomaniacs.

Writing what you know about is a fairly common bit of advice when discussing writing as a career. So, the idea of journalists writing about celebrity life as they toil with their own mediocre incomes is sad and pathetic. Media and society have become so intertwined, especially in the privileged United States culture that an entire generation of young people is becoming a bunch of shallow sadists who cannot wait to get their hands on the next celebrity blog illustrating a drug addiction or miscarriage. Miss Gould may way to consider going back to college and possibly specializing in something that could benefit her and society rather than polluting it with more convoluted, self-serving dribble.

Sources:

Jimmy Kimmel presses Emily Gould on Gawker.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-avakrRUaU