There is something about this country that I am sure that I’ll never understand. For the last few weeks, the press and other news sources have been obsessed with certain celebrities who have taken out ‘super injunctions’ in order to prevent their misdeeds from becoming public knowledge. Every time I come across such stories I can hear my internal monologue going, “who the hell cares”. If it’s all about protecting free speech then I’m all for it, but if it’s about being able to gossip about celebrities then I really don’t understand. If people spent half the time analysing what they are doing than what others are doing, then the world would be a much better place. I’m not saying that I support these celebrities or what they have done; I’m just saying that people shouldn’t care so much. The resources that go into gossip rags could be far better spent. Gossip is bad for you. Did you know that if you are speaking negatively about someone (i.e. gossip), then the people listening are likely to associate the negative attributes that you are describing, with you personally (Professor Richard Wiseman). I would rather spend an hour watching cricket that reading a gossip rag. I find cricket infinitesimally boring by the way. I know, I know, a British bloke who doesn’t love cricket: scandalous.
It’s not so much that these magazines etc. are gossiping about people, it’s who they are talking about that really stumps me (a cricketing pun… how far I have sunk…). Now I have a few personal heroes, some of them dead, most still living. Most represent what sort of person that I aspire to be. I don’t follow celebrity culture; in fact I pretty much despise it. I can’t believe that some people idolise celebrities just because they appear in a magazine, in a TV series (I’m looking at you reality TV) or in a film. I can understand admiring movie stars and actors/actresses who are not just a face. I think that Sean Bean is a hero, because despite appearing in high profile films and TV series, he doesn’t do red carpet parties, is very private and is, by all accounts really down to earth. As far as actors go, that’s about it. I love and respect intelligence, not just IQ, but all of the different types of intelligence (e.g. emotional, practical etc.). I also admire those who exhibit qualities that I would like to have. My father is one these; he is tireless in work, kind, tolerant (not a quality that I possess, but one I wish that I did have) and calm under fire. If I could be half the man that my father is then I would be content. I know that a son idolising his father is clichéd, but I sincerely mean it. I idolise Ray Mears for his immense wisdom and practical skills and Bear Grylls for his ‘can do’ attitude.
I’m sure that you’ve heard the saying “never meet your heroes”, if you do then you will surely be disappointed. Well I have met a few of my heroes (obviously I’ve met my dad) and I’m yet to be disappointed. Sometimes I have even been pleasantly surprised as when I met Cristina Scabbia and Lacuna Coil (coincidentally I’m listening to them while writing this). They came across as being really down to earth and generally warm and welcoming. Cristina was absolutely lovely despite my being far too nervous to say anything more than ‘hi’. That was, despite the immense stress and anxiety beforehand, a day I’ll remember. Aside from this particular case, I’m rarely awe inspired when meeting famous people (through my parents mostly, I’m far too anti-social to on my own). I think that it’s because I’m an Aspie that I just see them as another human being. Title or filmography mean very little to me. I try and judge people based on what I personally see rather than what I’ve heard. I don’t want to know everything about my heroes; I just don’t care, just as I wouldn’t want them to know everything about me. I think that this links to Aspies’ rigid sense of morality; I think it immoral to gossip or dig for dirt. I guess that this can be counted as another positive aspect of Aspergers. Score one Aspies!
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