day no. 16,236: societies deserve their celebrities

"Frivolity is the frequent companion of pessimism. Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. The resemblance between various declining nations in this respect is truly surprising." -- Sir John Glubb, The Fates of Empires

Decadence begets disillusion. Indulgence dries the well. Nations that abandon diligence for decadence decline into frivolous entertainments. Their whole lives become hobbies while their labors and hard work are avoided.

"The heroes of declining nations are always the same—the athlete, the singer or the actor. The word ‘celebrity’ today is used to designate a comedian or a football player, not a statesman, a general, or a literary genius." -- Sir John Glubb, The Fates of Empires

When a society is obsessed with athletes, singers, and thespians, it is in bad shape. You cultivate what you celebrate and societies deserve their celebrities. You get what you glorify. Glory is inescapable. A culture will glory in something. If not honor and sacrifice, then indulgence and few things exemplify this more than celebrities whose primary occupation is being and staying famous. Their job is to be self-interested. They sing songs about what they think about and submit only to photo shoots and articles that make them the center of attention. They are cheered on for being self-absorbed by people whose primary dream in life is to be the one on the magazine cover instead on the one buying the magazine.

"Religion begat prosperity and the daughter devoured the mother.” - Cotton Mather

Jeshurun does not have to kick after he waxes fat, but he often does (Deut 32:15).

Gratitude is the only solution to the problem of prosperity.