Would you rather...

[jchitty]

Quote:In a recent USA Today article about America's youth, "eighty-one percent of 18- to 25-year-olds surveyed in a Pew Research Center poll released in January said getting rich is their generation's most important or second-most-important life goal; 51% said the same about being famous."81% - To get rich51% - To be famous30% - To help people in need22% - To be leaders in their communities10% - To become more spiritualWhen Oprah announced she was building an educational facility in Africa, she was criticized for not building it in America. She said that American kids think more about materialistic things than education. I think this poll backs up her claims.The media focuses so much attention on who is rich and famous - I mean, really, if Donald Trump wasn't worth millions, who would really care what he has to say?Okay, I'll take some heat for this, but I think Oprah's one of the most materialistic people I know. This is a woman who gives her whole audience cars, shoes and goody bags and loves to watch while they all shout with glee. She brags about her Jimmie Choo shoes, her clothes, and she regularly features the rich and famous. Granted, what she did in Africa was fantastic, but everyone has a materialistic streak whether they admit it or not. I joke about the money....but really, I write my songs for both reasons....for a charity I'd like to give to, and for the income.

[onoffon]

No problem, j - we know your heart's in the right place. You're right about Oprah - one day she'll talk about starvation, disease, and rape in Darfur and the next day she'll have some wedding planner that designs the most expensive weddings imaginable, as everyone claps at the $100,000 wedding cake he provided for some wealthy couple.It's all a bit surreal...

[jchitty]

Quote:No problem, j - we know your heart's in the right place. You're right about Oprah - one day she'll talk about starvation, disease, and rape in Darfur and the next day she'll have some wedding planner that designs the most expensive weddings imaginable, as everyone claps at the $100,000 wedding cake he provided for some wealthy couple.It's all a bit surreal...Okay, Ono. I don't mean to sound like I'm dissing Oprah....she's done a lot of good in the world, but she's just another example of the monied culture that she speaks out against. Oprah is a good person....she's done a lot for people who are disinfranchized. I guess if Mother Teresa were alive and pointing out that American kids care more about money than education, I'd give more credence to those statements. I used to love Oprah's show in her earlier years....she devoted lots of shows to homelessness, AIDS, and many societal issues. You're right...it just seems kind of strange to me that she could talk about Darfur and then talk about expensive weddings. Back in the eighties, she devoted more of her time to serious issues....I guess she has to make her show appeal to other audiences to stay on the air....maybe I'm being too harsh....she probably has to pitch those wedding shows to people to get them involved in her more serious shows. But I miss the old Oprah. I'm just not a big fan of her new brew of pop psychology and the lifestyles of the rich and famous.....athough, I have to admit, that I have a materialistic streak too! We live in weird times...seems like celebrity culture has taken over 'community culture'....we now look to celebrities for guidance....I used to ask my mother-in-law for advice, now, just turn on Oprah.

[jchitty]

Ooops, 'disenfranchized,' I think. Spelling bee, I am not.

[onoffon]

I'm not dissing Oprah either... she's done amazing things on a global scale.But, I have to say this, no one gives more to international causes than Bill Gates but he doesn't produce television shows to highlight what he does for the world - he simply does them...Food for thought...

[matto]

Quote:I'm not dissing Oprah either... she's done amazing things on a global scale.But, I have to say this, no one gives more to international causes than Bill Gates but he doesn't produce television shows to highlight what he does for the world - he simply does them...Food for thought... Well duh...he's not in the entertainment industry, (okay well sort of, but what I mean is) the show is the reason Oprah is rich and can do a lot of good things...Billy G doesn't need a TV show cause he's got a lilttle thing called "Windows"...I agree though it's strange to have shows that decry poverty back to back with ones that seem to promote decadent opulence...And I'm all for more heavy themed shows...for one thing I tend to have more music on those On the other hand...I think a show like Oprah which has something for everybody attracts a huge audience...and therefore those episodes that are about poverty or Darfur or things like that will reach a much larger part of the world's population and thus have more impact. I think the mix of programming is carefully thought out and serves a purpose...matto

[jchitty]

Quote:I'm not dissing Oprah either... she's done amazing things on a global scale.But, I have to say this, no one gives more to international causes than Bill Gates but he doesn't produce television shows to highlight what he does for the world - he simply does them...Food for thought... Oprah seems like a lady who enjoys basking in all the spotlight anyway. I don't think I could stand all that spotlight myself...I end up like Britney, bald and tattooed .

[soulwire]

Hahaha, where is this thread going??? lol!

[edteja]

Des Moines.