Essay On Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges and George Monbiot both share similar ideas to express their views on celebrities and the consumer culture which, surrounds us almost every second of the day in our lives. Albeit, they do have similarities they also have differences and express their ideas in a slightly unique way from one another. Whether or not we choose to interact or pay attention to that part of society it is still there regardless if we try to ignore it. Nevertheless, both of these writers try to enlighten us on consumer and celebrity culture and how they can sometimes be detrimental to individuals in society. First, I will examine and explain Chris Hedges’ text, then I would do the same for George Monbiot and his text.

Chris Hedges’ text, “Empire

of The Illusion” starts off with mentioning wrestlers and the environment of the fans that encompasses them during matches. He also talks about the feuds shared between some of the wrestlers and how those feuds energizes the fans. The fans find the arguments between the wrestlers comical and often causes a higher sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for them, when the wrestlers finally clash against one another. Hedge talks about the behind the scenes of the wrestlers and how each of their stories are uniquely constructed so that they will have a larger audience appeal. I found this very fascinating because I myself enjoyed watching wrestling when I was much younger. As a result of this information, I now have a better appreciation for the sport and what goes into the making of it. One of the main arguments Hedges tries to convey early on in this section of the text is the idea of that we seek to rise up and obtain fame, power, and status just like those wresting celebrities we see on Tv or in the actual matches. He writes the following, “The wrestlers like all celebrities, become our vicarious selves. They do what we can not. They rise up from humble origins into a supernatural world of tyrants, divas, and fierce opponents-mythic in their size and power. They win great victories” (Pg, 7, Chris Hedges Empire of Illusion). I think this statement clearly illustrates the fact that we all seek to become like these celebrities in some shape or way. We all wish that we could stand up and face that person or obstacles in our lives who challenges us. We want to not only conquer our enemies and problems, but we want to rise up to have prestige and an sense of status, often this leads to more consumer spending. Especially, within society today this image of wealth and power is an image that most individuals seem to aspire to obtain because they believe it will make them finally happy, however that is not always the case. Often individuals will try

Later in the text, he goes to mention different types of instances in which this idea of celebrities and consumer culture have become so prevalent in our lives. Often many of us cannot attain that status of many of the celebrities we see on Tv. Individuals may not have the perfect body like certain athletes, or amazing homes, or even the best clothing. Since many of us don't have the lives of celebrities we of often try to find ways to fill in the gaps by any means necessary. “We pay a variety of lifestyle advisers-Gabler calls them “essentially drama coaches”-to help us look like and feel like celebrities, to build around us the set for the movie of our own life. Plastic Surgeons,fitness Gurus, diet doctors, therapists, life coaches, interior designers, and fashion consultants all, in essence, promise to make happy, to make us celebrities. And happiness comes, we are assured, with how we look and present ourselves to others” (Pg 23, Chris Hedges Empire of Illusion). This quote shows what certain individuals in our society may do to an extent to try reach the appearance and lifestyles we see on commercials and the news of these famous celebrities. This idea of consumer culture, the need to constantly have more lavish items and a overall more affluent affluent appearance is the argument Hedge is making in the quote. But, what many individuals fail to understand is that these items and appearances will not always bring the sense of happiness and fulfillment that they so desperately desire. It is because of social media and the society that we believe we need these items to feel happy with our lives, but what the media doesn't tell us is the truth these items is not the only way to happiness. The media rarely shows us the other side of the coin. Meaning how happy individuals can be without all these materialistic items.

Finally one of the last point I want to address in Hedges’ text is the idea of human beings and the consumer culture but more specifically when individuals fail to reach the status of celebrities.

“Human beings become a commodity in a celebrity culture. They are objects, like consumer products. They must look fabulous and live on fabulous sets. Those who fail to meet the idea are belittled and mocked” (Pg 29 Empire of Illusion). This quote I think really encapsulates the idea of consumer culture and the insatiable hunger, we have to feel like our celebrities. If we don't obtain these statuses than others who have will disparage us because we have not been as successful as they may have. I also think what Hedges is trying to say is that companies and corporations see fellow human beings not so much as actual beings but rather as a cash.To companies at the end of the day the just want to sell their products and in most cases will do anything to ale a profit. Its this constant cycle of buying and selling goods that leads us to lives that will never be satisfied unless, individuals change their mind on what true happiness really is. But the main point Hedge is trying to make is that all of these superficial objects and symbols will not necessarily result in pleasure and gratification but rather lead us on a path that can never be completed or fully attained. These items are what the media and consumer culture have told us will result in happiness because that's the way

many celebrities live their lives, therefore so should we if want to feel joy like our favorite celebrities. But the truth is that we don't need these luxurious lifestyles to feel happy with our lives, it is only because of the media that we have these thoughts ingrained into our brains. Once we realize that we don't need these items then we will become more happy in our lives.

George Monobiot has a slightly different approach in response to celebrity culture as well as the consumer culture.

He believes that celebrity culture has been more prevalent due to the corporations, advertisers, and the media. He also states that, “The more distant and impersonal corporations become, the more they rely on other people’s faces to connect them to their customers.” (The Guardian, George Monbiot). This statement I think can be taken two different ways. In one way, yes, it is true when corporations become more distant they tend to rely on the celebrities that we are more familiar with to attract us to certain products of that hey advertise. However, in a way they do bring us closer because since we know these celebrities on some superficial level and thus are more likely to purchase their products. He goes on to say that celebrities that we see the most often are the ones that endorse the most remunerative products because they will provide the most benefit for the celebrity. He also, mentions how most of our attention are in these few celebrities we see often in advertisements and commercials. This constant exposure of certain celebrities builds a false sense of relationships with them, however its his relationship that will often cause consumers to purchase products. Monbiot mentions, studies that show celebrities reputations and cultural attention increasing from 17 percent in the early 1900’s to 37 percent by 2010( The Guardian, George Monbiot). This

reinforces the idea that people are becoming more and more aware and following celebrities in our society than ever before in history.

But even though we see certain celebrities almost on a daily basis on social media do we ever, really know them except what social media tells us. I mean how many of us really know this celebrities as much as we do our own family or neighbors. Monbiot mentions the celebrity Kim Kardashian and how she almost seems like our neighbor because we hear and see so often on social media. Regardless, of the product that she is endorsing we will immediately know her thus we have a stronger inclination to buying the product. I believe that's one of the arguments Monobiot is trying to tell us. The fact, certain celebrities that we recognize almost instantaneously without having any actual relationship with them are more likely to sell us products that we may purchase. This revolves again around the idea of consumer culture and we constantly are in search for things to acquire because we believe that is the road to happiness. Monbiot mentions that when a product is more mundane and similar to its counterparts, it needs someone of a high status to represent their product so that it may be more successful. He uses two people as examples of this idea, “Iggy pop was to sell motor insurance and Benicio Del Toro is used to sell Heineken.” (The Guardian, George Monbiot). These people just like Kim Kardashian are so profoundly known that they allow companies to better sell their products. Having these people associated with that product makes it seem more enticing and friendly, causing us a higher likelihood for people to keep coming back and back to buy their products.

Monbiot says a quote that I feel directly ties to Chris hedges’ text and the ideas of celebrities and consumer culture. “The principal qualities now sought in a celebrity are vapidity, vacuity, and physical beauty.” (The Guardian, George Monbiot). The reason I believe this relates to what Chris hedges says is because in his text he mentions that some individuals need plastic surgeons, therapists, and fitness gurus to help them wither lives. This suggests that people want a more attractive appearance and will do whatever it takes to be more like their favorite celebrities. The idea of a therapist may indicate the struggles that people face on their own journey in trying to become their own celebrities or the fact that they feel like their lives are too empty. In the end these traits are similar to what Monbiot mentions that we desire in celebrities today, which is why we seek to also in some way develop these traits.

Monbiot’s final argument is that celebrities have a second role or job and that is a weapon of mass distraction. He mentions a study that people who are more interested in celebrities and the culture that surrounds them are more likely to be less interested in politics. One of his main examples, is Donald Trump and he explains how he represents the corporate personification and mass distraction. These characteristics allow for celebrities to have a more influential power in society and express themselves in different ways to individuals in society. Both texts clearly examined and talked about how powerful celebrities can truly be in the advancement of consumer culture. Hedges’ text had more examples and showed different perspectives of these ideas. Unlike Monbiot whose was much shorter, he focused on more specific well known celebrities and use statistics to back up his arguments. I believe it is clear that most celebrities we know often represent certain corporations to help sell their products and this does have a powerful effect on consumer culture. Overall, the idea of celebrities and the way consumer culture is in society must be altered because it is not the only way to happiness as many individuals might believe otherwise. If individuals keep believing this is the only way to happiness, then this cycle will continue to persist and our society will keep this unhealthy habits continuing for future generations which may lead to even more problems.