Being interested in the coverage does not necessarily equate to celebrity "worship," and I don't think it's helpful to dismiss current events (and the people acting them out for us all) by labeling it all "clebrity worship."

Media coverage (from whatever sources one chooses) can be a good window in on the current culture, for the purpose of reflecting on the culture and the trends that are affecting people. Sometimes, working with people, I find myself totally baffled by their mindsets. But a little dip in the culture pool-- be it clean or dirty-- can clarify the issues for me, and this makes it easier to see where folks are coming from.

Just last week, for instance, a discussion group for which I act as facilitator had a wonderful discussion about the implications of the whole Terri Schiavo mess. We didn't talk about what we each thought and felt about the mess-- we talked about what people around us here seemed to be struggling with as they tried to deal with similar life-end issues they're facing with close loved ones.

We ranged from there to what we each thought about the values expressed in the media figures' rants, contrasted with our personal and local community values. The discussion was enriched by my having watched most of the coverage, because I could raise questions to keep us moving through the topics without getting bogged down in arguing the merits of the apparent "two sides." (Our talk also was enriched by two people at the other end of the "media saturation" scale-- who only saw the news when she actually died, and had not seen the buildup to that point.)

It was a good way of moving beyond the polarized crap, and of exploring reflectively around the MANY factes of end-of-life issues. Does this mean I worshipped Terri Schiavo? I don't think so! :~) Although some of the reporters were kinda cute....

~Susan