The Lure of Celebrity

Now it seems clear that the whole "Balloon boy" story was a hoax. I originally saw the story while the balloon was still in the air and was concerned. When I heard later, however, that the family had been on reality TV, I (along with many others) was immediately suspicious. This is just the kind of coincidence that just doesn't happen.

Andy Warhol's famous saying is that one day everyone would be famous for fifteen minutes. I wonder if he could have envisioned the world of reality television. Not only are people becoming famous for essentially doing nothing, there are a bunch of them actively seeking this life. While some appear on a single show and then go home, others have been on several reality series and try to be part of more.

I think this is a kind of sickness. If the media would cooperate with us, the best punishment for the family in Colorado would be to pack up the cameras, go home, and promise to never mention these people ever again. Don't embarrass them, ignore them. Sadly, it won't happen, but I can dream.