Autolycus, I actually share your disdain for unfair distribution of wealth and privelege. Celebrity culture may be an annoying symptom of that, but at the end of the day, it is a pretty insubstantial part of the whole. One of the points I was trying to make earlier, is that although entertainers may receive a lot of attention in the media, they are pretty small change when it comes to having a major share of wealth. I could not name the wealthiest people in Britain, but I could name some of the better known pop stars and sportsmen. I doubt very much that even one of those people would have any real economic clout. The real power is in the hands of people most of us have never heard of.
I actually think that in our society David Beckham deserves his loot no less than many top ranking company executives. I also admit freely that he is ultimately less useful to society as a whole than a good nurse, a good teacher or even a competent dustman. However, Ron Olesko is absolutely right to point out that heroes have been made in any age, without any consideration of their intrinsic value to society at large. On the one hand people take pot shots at Beckham for his supposed lack of intellect. On the other hand, they seem to feel he should share some of the responsibility for the injustices of society. I can't find it in my heart to begrudge him a healthy bank account and a good looking bird.