Don't Feed the Animals

*PSA Below.

I'm not sure what's come over me in the last few days. I admit to being somewhat celebrity obsessed. While I've never once purchased a tabloid or cared what shirt Maddux Jolie-Pitt is wearing, I have perused countless back issues of People and US Weekly, scouring them for totally useless and pointless news about people that have no bearing on my life.

I've never really considered it to be a harmful habit. I'll flip on "Extra" or the "Insider" when nothing else is on, and I admit to being somewhat fascinated with the Anna Nicole saga, mainly because I find it to be terribly upsetting -- yes, I am a celebrity news rubbernecker.

But over the last few days, I've decided I'm feeding the animals. I watch Britney Spears' hair get sold. I watch camera men scare Reese's kids. And I realize it's not the paparazzi that's the problem, it's us.

If there wasn't a demand, there would be no pictures.

So why do I care about celebrities really? I mean, they're famous, maybe it is our business if they do pick their nose. Perhaps it feels good to know that they are human. But really, shouldn't we know that? They have a famous job and lots of money, but they are human. They pee and they poop. And really, why should we care?

With so much attention spent on figuring out who Anna Nicole's baby belongs to, I fear we are forgetting about so much else. Poverty in this country, hungry children in this country, and WAR. Hello. There's a presidential election and I bet very few folks could name who's thinking about running. Our soldiers are dying every freaking day and all we can find on television is Larry Birkhead telling us "I told you so."

Sure. I'm happy for him. But what kind of country are we becoming? We're so obsessed with the lives of others that we're not taking the time to think about ourselves and what we need to work on.

So, I'm cutting it out cold turkey. No more Celebrity Eye Candy or anything else. I'll read the news, or my Stroller Derby, and watch my Talk Soup and that's it. And with all my free time, I'm going to start reading and writing about other important things. You know, books, parenting, and life. And not so much about the parenting and lives of famous people who have no bearing whatsoever on my existence.

What do you think about all this?

*You really should go read this! Have a great weekend.

Comments

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[Awesome Mom]

Good for you! I have a passing acquaintance with those magazines. I usually read them when in a waiting room of some sort but for the most part I don't really and truly care the least bit what is going on in the celebrity world. This is greatly helped out by my recently giving up TV watching. There was just too much junk on cable but the only way I was going to give it up was cold turkey so we did it.

[Jen M.]

I swore off the rags after Princess Diana was killed. I've backslid, a lot, but I'm pretty much 100% celebrity gossip free. By pretty much, I mean I don't count it if I'm at the dentist or doctor or hairdresser and they have one on hand. I wonder why on earth we care so much about these people. People who, if it weren't for the twist of fate that brought them fame, would probably be slinging burgers or answering phones or robbing banks, even. These people are America's royalty???? Ugh! I agree, there are so many great things to focus our collective energys on. Let's go!

[divrchk]

I think you can do it all. I'm not saying that buying the Star Magazine is acceptable but scanning the headlines online and getting a bit of the trash is ok if you are reading the world news as well. I am still reeling from the news that deployments have been upped to 15 months. I can't wrap my brain around someone having to be away from their family for 15 MONTHS. Family Values my ass.

[Kristen]

Alicia -- We've all got our vices. And rag mags? Way better than smoking.

And Amy -- I think you're right. I just think too many people (admittedly myself included) are NOT informed about the important issues. When I know where all the candidates stand, I might reward myself with some People. :)

[Alicia]

Quitting cold turkey is an admirable idea, but I have to tell you, it's been a few years since I quit smoking, and each list of new year's resolutions since has included the "quit celebrity gossip" ideal. And every year? That's the first one to be broken.

So for me, giving up the gossip has been harder than the cigs. Go figure. I bet that speaks volumes about me.

[Amy H]

I can do it all. I know who Dannielynn's daddy is AND I know who is running for President. But I am a news junkie, so I think I am more of the exception than the rule.

Plus, I saw the great "My Mama's for Obama" shirt on the website featured on Cool Mom Picks and I am totally ordering one. See! See! Politicially responsible AND able to tell you which celebrity's water broke on set this week.

Just like everything else in life, it is all about moderation. But you are right, if we didn't care at all, we wouldn't have so many rag mags.