Falling Star - Michael Phelps

[BiBottomBoy]

You know, a lot of people think that Gay Pride Parades and Safe Sex information also send the wrong message to children, so we certainly shouldn't let celebrities get involved with either of those things, should we?

[caeron]

Given where we are, it seems a bit strange to suggest that people should obey a law just because it is a law.

[BiBottomBoy]

Exactly.

[Guest TNTTed]

You know, a lot of people think that Gay Pride Parades and Safe Sex information also send the wrong message to children, so we certainly shouldn't let celebrities get involved with either of those things, should we?

Are those things illegal?

Given where we are, it seems a bit strange to suggest that people should obey a law just because it is a law.

I didn’t suggest that. I said I believe celebrity idols ought to be held to higher standards. If you disagree with that, then this discussion is futile.

[BiBottomBoy]

I am astounded that you believe that because someone can swim fast they don't have the right to live a normal life.

Let's see, Kevin Spacey is a celebrity, should he be held to a "higher standard" and not be able to hire escorts?

And, yes, for a lot of years gay pride events were illegal.

Phelps is behaving just like any normal college kid and he should be treated like any normal college kid.

[Guest zachary]

Phelps can do whatever he wants, take it one step further, he can wig out like lohan, paris and britney, fine by me. or let him rape a girl like fatty arbuckle. sponsors have any say?

the sponsors can set limits on what behavior they want. he's sponsor for frosted flakes, i don't know any adults that eat it (and i am sure i going to find out from this if u do, they're ggggreat).

re speedos, they didn't seem to care, but look at their market, that many kids use them? i think prob high school swim team and college age, again i could be wrong.

i hope he get's a pass, but in my mind, he wants the money, he does what they want. it's that simple, and i am sure he's doing exactly that, what they want. his mother was on tv crying, so she'll be after him.

too bad, some kid at a party wants to take him down, and they take a pic. the university there said he came in a spoke to a class, everyone seems to like him. wonder who kept the dog while he was gone?

[BiBottomBoy]

The sponsors are morons if they drop him because the only people who will care are people who have never tried pot - and that's like 1 percent of the population.

[AdamSmith]

the only people who will care are people who have never tried pot - and that's like 1 percent of the population.

I agree with your general point that the thing should not be blown out of proportion. Thus I'm pleased to see Visa, Omega, Speedo and PureSports all saying they accept Phelps's posture of contrition and hand-wringing, and will continue their sponsorships with him.

But you cannot really believe your statement above, unless you believe the human animal is entirely without hypocrisy, self-deception or conflicted motive.

[BiBottomBoy]

Don't you think the fact that he still has endorsements proves my point.

[Guest CheekChecker]

The only time WEED is a No No is when it is on your Front Lawn!

This little bit of World Shaking News will undoubtedly also pass.

Phelps Career in and out of the Pool will not be tarnished one bit!

[caeron]

I think the whole idea of idolizing celebrities is silly, so no I don't think they should be held to a higher standard.

[BiBottomBoy]

Caeron, I could not agree more.

[lookin]

I think the whole idea of idolizing celebrities is silly, so no I don't think they should be held to a higher standard.

Count me in.

I find the whole concept of idols and heros fascinating, in part because of the dynamics at work.

First, there's the desire by many of us humans to have heros. We like to idolize other people: teachers, cheerleaders, clergy, politicians, millionaires, royalty, athletes, entertainers, and all sorts of celebrities and "beautiful people". Not only doesn't their shit stink, we don't even like to think they break wind. Of course, it's unrealistic to put any human being on a pedestal that high. When we eventually find out they are fallible, as all of us are, we are absolutely devastated as our belief system is shaken. Of course, others of us don't like the idea of heros at all. We're delighted when one of them makes a blunder, and can't wait to say "I told you so."

Next, there are the heros themselves. Some really like the idea of being idolized, build their own pedestals, and climb over others to reach the top. They're happy to serve as an example of all that's right and good in the world, and won't acknowledge that they make the same mistakes everyone else does. They'll even be pleased to tell other people how they should live their lives. When one of these heros eventually gets found out, he's branded a hypocrite and lands with a thud. Other "heros" are reluctant. They get put on the pedestal by somebody else. Some are aware of what's happening, and refuse to act as a role model. But many are tempted to go along for the ride, without understanding what may happen when it's over.

Then, there are those who have discovered the power and money available by creating (and sometimes destroying) heros. The church can dress somebody up in a robe, and make him a gatekeeper to heaven. The politicians can get an actor elected governor or president. Kellogg's can put an athlete's picture on a box, and sell lots of cornflakes.

While I do believe there are plenty of people in this world who deserve our respect for one thing or another, I'm generally reluctant to turn them into heros and hold them up as role models for everyone and everything. I feel we're all humans, and we all make mistakes.

Well, except for Gandhi and Mother Teresa and a few of my fellow posters here at MER.

[AdamSmith]

Well, except for Gandhi and Mother Teresa and a few of my fellow posters here at MER.

And not to omit our favorite escorts!

[AdamSmith]

Not only doesn't their shit stink, we don't even like to think they break wind. Of course, it's unrealistic to put any human being on a pedestal that high. When we eventually find out they are fallible, as all of us are, we are absolutely devastated as our belief system is shaken.

P.S. Swift satirized the idolizing of one's love object in his poem "The Lady's Dressing Room." The whole thing leads up to the narrator confessing to his male buddy the tragedy he discovered in peeking into the boudoir of his beloved:

Thus finishing his grand Survey,

Disgusted Strephon stole away

Repeating in his amorous Fits,

Oh! Celia, Celia, Celia shits!

http://www.potw.org/archive/potw158.html

P.P.S. My memory fails. Actually he was not confessing to anyone; it was in the 3rd person.

[AdamSmith]

P.P.P.S. One of the great studies relevant:

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/mbh/index.htm

[KYTOP]

Today Kellogg canceled their endorsement contract with him.

[BigK]

Yep...Kelloggs dropped him. No Wheaties or Frosted Flakes in Phelps future.

[Guest zachary]

Yep...Kelloggs dropped him. No Wheaties or Frosted Flakes in Phelps future.

too bad, he's not gggrrreat.

frosted flakes did him in, wheaties too, but i like to think frosted flakes.

[caeron]

Well, apparently Kellogg's dropped their sponsorship of the olympic team in December already, so this might just be an excuse for them to cut what they were going to cut anyway.

[Guest mineallmine]

It also seems that he has been suspended from competing for 3 months by the US swim team and will not be supported during that time. He accepted the punishment from them though with grace. Interesting though that they forget that he is still a young adult...and that young adults do stupid stuff and want to try things. They also do have to pay the price for it of course.

[AdamSmith]

Don't you think the fact that he still has endorsements proves my point.

Now the dominoes of hypocrisy begin to fall.

[BiBottomBoy]

I like the way the Foo Fighters phrase it:

"There goes my hero. He's ordinary."

[TotallyOz]

All of this is fucking bullshit. A young man tries a little weed. So fucking what? No big deal IMHO. But, as a weed lover myself, I would have bought the Frosted Flakes just because of him. Now, I'll just stick to my regular brands.

[BiBottomBoy]

Oz,

You rock.