US actor Shia LaBeouf during his He Will Not Divide Us livestream outside the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, in the Queens borough of New York on Jan. 24, 2017, as a protest against President Donald Trump (AFP photo).
The profession of pretending to be other people, or things, for the entertainment of an audience stretches back in history to before the ancient Greeks. The individuals performing in ancient times grasped with complex ideas such as the philosophy of liberty, citizenship, and acted out the philosophical tales of the gods, rife with messages of morality. Early actors portrayed thought-provoking situations in every performance. Then came the medieval ages of Europe. Plays were no longer written by great philosophers solely to promote ideas of import. Playwrights and poets now had a much more important goal to entertain the powerful and wealthy.
Enter the fool.
Since medieval times, fools, or as they are colloquially referred to, celebs, have been focused on using flattery, comical distress and exaggerated action to distract others from the woes of day to day life. Even when writers such as Shakespeare and Chaucer, exceptions proving the rule, make an appearance, it must be remembered that the most serious of themes throughout a literary masterpiece could be undermined by the drag queens which then pranced on stage in imitation of women.
We should rejoice that the preforming arts are no longer bound by discriminatory rules, and that women are free to participate. It remains the case, however, that much of the modern entertainment industry is unwilling to make an audience uncomfortable to think. It is far easier to use ever-increasingly crass and base humour to elicit a few laughs, or to turn the cheese, nostalgia or exaggerated gore up to 11 to get a response. Should anyone dare to attempt breaking this practice becoming a true provocateur they are often pushed outside the mainstream as if they had said something truly dangerous. Perhaps those who would hark back to the Greeks have done something dangerous; dangerous to their fellow performers. God forbid too many people should wake up.
Possibly the most worrying trend with modern fools is their belief that their fame gives them special insight into politics, economics, science and philosophy. Regardless of the topic, actors seem to think that they have a deeper understanding of the world, and as such will fight for what they know to be right. They, of course, insist that their position is the rebellious one, never once taking a second to look around and realise that they are the un-silent minority, so full of hyperbole that most people will agree with them just to shut them up. Hopefully, after the battering the illiberal regressive left took in 2016, they are starting to get the message.
We cannot, however, place blame for their actions solely with themselves. After all, the public will often not speak out denouncing their drivel and, on occasion, seem to actually listen. This is, of course, because the profession of the fool is to portray emotions, often in a bloated sense; as such it comes naturally to most actors to seem very certain about their opinions on any number of topics which they know nothing about. The result, unfortunately, is certain members of the public are convinced.
Would you trust a carpenter to remove a wisdom tooth? Would you hire a dentist to fix your boiler? If you wouldnt trust fashion designer to repair your car, then why on Earth would you trust an actor to inform you about politics and morality? Considering how often those working in Hollywood are revealed to have a substance, or drinking, or gambling, or prostitution problem then why would you take advice from them on making smart, rational and informed decisions about how you want your life to be governed? Worse still, some might listen to those actors who come across as genuine and seem to understand what life is like for everyday individuals, but it is most often the case that this could not be further from the truth. As if the huge pay checks werent enough, fame often excuses payment altogether for things we ordinary citizens have to pay for. Add the glamourous lifestyles, the nature of the work they do, and the people they are surrounded by, and eventually we can see that most actors and entertainers are so far removed from the lives of their audiences, and so out of touch with the public, that they cannot possibly understand what day to day life is like for the masses.
We dont necessarily need to ignore celebs; in fact, when Jay-Z raps about crack and hoes, just before endorsing the next cultural Marxist the Democrats field, Id strongly urge everyone to take note of what he represents and the hypocrisy on display. We do, however, need to stop placing their opinions above our own reasoning. Treat everything they say as if they were just another person standing in line to get their morning coffee. If they put forward reasonable thought through arguments that strike a chord, then take note.
It shouldnt matter how much they or anyone else cries and screams that the Earth is flat, you know better. While modern fools might be only one weapon the illiberal regressive left use, they are a particularly nauseating one, so can we please tell them to shut up already.
* Nathan Brown is a 24 year old politics student. He is a member of the Conservative Party in Great Britain and a self-proclaimed one-nation libertarian, with influences such as Milton Friedman, Ron Paul, Benjamin Disraeli, and Margret Thatcher. When not talking politics, Nathan enjoys spending his time pursuing outdoor activities or relaxing with a single malt scotch and a cigar.
The main BeingLibertarian.com account, used for editorials and guest author submissions. The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions. Contact the Editor at editor@beinglibertarian.email
Like Loading...
Read more here:
Protesting celebs aren't just idiots, they're fools! - Being Libertarian
- Is Libertarian Gary Johnson a factor in Clinton-Trump matchup ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Hawaiian libertarian [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2016]
- CNN to host Libertarian ticket for town hall - CNNPolitics.com [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Learn Liberty | What is Libertarian? [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- 2016 Libertarian Party National Convention [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Libertarian Republican - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Learn Liberty | What is Libertarian? [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Libertarian town hall: What to watch - CNNPolitics.com [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party - Facebook [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party of Florida [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- How Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson hopes to win over ... [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- CNN town hall gives Libertarian Party an unprecedented shot ... [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- HOME - The Advocates for Self-Government [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2016]
- Libertarian Reddit: Social News from a Libertarian Point of View [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party on the Issues [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Debra J. Saunders - The Libertarian Alternative, Gary Johnson [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Home - Libertarian Party of Texas [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Reason.com [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Libertarian presidential candidate says he'd 'lose no ... [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party of Texas [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party of Alabama [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson Still Rising, Says New ... [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Home - Libertarian Party of Ohio [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Libertarian Party of Illinois [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Libertarian Johnson defends Melania Trump on speech [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Libertarian ticket Gary Johnson: Mitt Romney is weighing ... [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2016]
- Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson: A vote for Clinton or ... [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2016]
- Libertarian Candidates Gary Johnson, Bill Weld Pitch ... [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- Libertarian ticket could spoil Clinton party (Opinion ... [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- Libertarian ticket eyes post-convention opening and ... [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- Welcome to the Libertarian Party of North Carolina [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Welcome- Libertarian Party of Connecticut [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Let Libertarian Gary Johnson debate Clinton and Trump ... [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Libertarian ticket eyes post-convention opening and debate ... [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson hires GOP operative to ... [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2016]
- What is The Libertarian Party? | Libertarian Party [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2016]
- Libertarian Gary Johnson: 'We should embrace immigration ... [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson Asks 'What Is ... [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2016]
- The Libertarian Ticket: Johnson and Weld - CBS News [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson has another "Aleppo moment" [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- Why is Gary Johnson still in the race - CNNPolitics.com [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- Chicago Tribune endorses Libertarian candidate Gary ... [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2016]
- Who Is a Libertarian? | Foundation for Economic Education [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2016]
- Libertarian Reddit: Social News from a Libertarian Point of ... [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- The Libertarian Party Platform - A Quick Summary [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Libertarian Party | Libertarian Party [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2017]
- Libertarian Party of Bexar County Texas | "Liberty and ... [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2017]
- Libertarian Candidates Expose Themselves as Anti-Trump ... [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- 3 Questions for Bernie Supporters - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Libertarians against gas tax - Jackson Sun [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Libertarian Party Gets Victory in Suit Aimed at the Partisanship of Commission on Presidential Debates - Reason (blog) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Libertarian candidates seek Pompeo seat - Wichita Eagle [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- A Warning From A Spanish Libertarian - Being Libertarian (satire) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- What I Saw at the Anti-Milo, UC Berkeley Riots! - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Libertarian Party Chairman Repeats Lie About MILO Outing Illegals At Berkeley - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Why Should a Libertarian Take Universal Basic Income Seriously? - Niskanen Center (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Perfectionism Is Insanity And Impossible To Accomplish - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Updated! Meet the Libertarian-Leaning GOP Texas State Senator[s] Whose Career[s] Donald Trump Wants To Destroy - Reason (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Little Libertarians on the Prairie: The Hidden Politics Behind a ... - History [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Does The United States Lack Innocence? - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Digital Privacy Further Eroded By US Dept. of Justice - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- China Begins Talks to Regulate Bitcoin - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Local Libertarians back ballot access bill | Local | mywebtimes.com - MyWebTimes.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- BREAKING: NH State Representative Joins Libertarian Party ... - Free Keene [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Ancapistan - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Libertarian think tanks, Kansas health secretary testify against expanding Medicaid - Topeka Capital Journal [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Stephen Henderson and Libertarian Shikha Dalmia Debate Future of Healthcare - WDET [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- BTCC Chief: 2-3 Years Before China Regulates Bitcoin - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Cuban Libertarian Activists Arrested By State Police - The Libertarian Republic [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Libertarians set to become official political party in Iowa - The Daily Nonpareil [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Libertarian Author Charles Murray Calls for Pause in Low ... [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Libertarian ticket cost Trump the popular vote | Washington Examiner - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Penn Jillette: The Ideal Libertarian Candidate - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Pence hires libertarian Calabria as chief economist - Politico (blog) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Echo Chambers, Rhetoric, and the Political Gray Zone - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Rand Paul, to Libertarians Critical of His Sessions Vote: 'I would ... - Reason (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- I'm a Libertarian Man, and I Support Feminism. - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Former Libertarian presidential candidate visits alma mater - Standard Online [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Libertarians split with Trump over controversial police tactic - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]