“I’m impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it.”
Those are Montana Fishburne’s thoughts on becoming famous. She’s the daughter of critically acclaimed actor Laurence Fishburne. She’s 18. And she just released her first porn film.
I’m not sure I need to say much more than that, but we all know that I will.
Is this the new American dream? The reckless pursuit of 15 minutes of fame? What happened to the advice our parents gave us, handed down by their parents, and their parents before them – that we could achieve anything we wanted in this country through dedication and hard work? Even though I don’t think this is particularly accurate advice, at least their hearts were in the right place. Sadly, that idea looks like it went out the door accompanied by Paris Hilton. Or the Kardashian sisters (Kim was Montana’s inspiration for pursuing a sex tape as her entree to fame). Or Snooki, The Situation, or any of the other “actors” from the television show Jersey Shore.
I’m to blame for this. We all are. Every time we watch one of these dumb reality television shows, we are perpetuating the attitude that one can become famous without any effort or an ounce of talent. In fact, we actually glorify stupidity, all for the sake of good “drama.” So, we’ve got all kinds of people out there running around auditioning for reality TV shows, hoping to get discovered. (And I don’t mean shows like American Idol – I don’t watch it, but can at least acknowledge that many of the contestants have spent much time trying to become better singers).
Unfortunately, this concept isn’t limited to just fame. Ask any college professor or employer and they’ll tell you that young whippersnappers today want success without hard work or experience. Many want to ace exams, but admittedly will not read the material for the course. Upon graduation, many expect salaries equivalent to those more senior than they. Clearly, we have failed this generation.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” (which is fantastic), he dedicates an entire chapter to the 10,000-hour rule. In short, Gladwell’s research found that any incredibly successful person has put in 10,000 hours worth of practice honing his or her skill. Don’t be confused. I will never become a prodigious basketball player by practicing 10,000 hours. However, his point is that besides having the requisite amount of natural ability, what separates a guy like Michael Jordan from the average NBA player is the amount of work Jordan did to perfect his talent.
For those of us mere mortals, living run-of-the-mill lives, this means that we have to identify our strengths and then be willing to work hard to achieve success using them. Heck, even if we can all also agree that it helps to know people – hence all the focus on networking – that still didn’t seem to be enough for Montana Fishburn. She has a famous father who I’m sure would’ve been more than happy to open some doors and make some introductions for his daughter. After all, aren’t fame and fortune often passed down along family lines? But read her quote again – she couldn’t even wait for THAT process to happen! Her self-proclaimed impatience has led to a mistake that her 18-year-old self doesn’t understand and that her 30-year-old self will never live down.
It’s entirely possible that I’ve reached curmudgeonhood at the ripe old age of thirty-five, but surely I’m not the only one seeing how much lazier, dumber, and superficial we’re becoming as a society. How can we find a way to reclaim the idea that dedication and hard work can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment and fruitful societal contribution?
We’re in trouble when Morpheus couldn’t even convince his own daughter to take the red pill . . .
Good article, Alex. I can’t believe someone with those kind of connections would STILL be impatient in that regard. We live in an instant society and it’s only getting more “instant” by the minute. NO. By the Second! I hear we get college applications with “Text Speech” in the essays. What, it took too long to add the few extra letters?
I’m getting old, Alex. Help! (Oh, and if you could keep off my lawn, that’d be great.)
Take a deep breath, Jared. Step away from the lawn. Lol. Yes, you’re getting old(er), but you’re far from old. Plus, you’ll always look like a kid, so take solace in that. (And I mean that as a compliment).
Honestly, I’d love to hear some of the stories from admissions offices regarding their interactions with students and parents. I have no doubt they’d be illustrative of this “instant” phenomenon.
And, it’s not lost on me that I used “Lol” in this response, or that I’m communicating “instantly” via a blog.
…And most sadly of all, it’s working for her.
It’s working, but for how long, you know? That’s the thing – infamy only lasts so long. At some point, you actually have to start doing something productive to stay in the limelight. (Take Drew Barrymore as an example. She was a typical “troubled child actor,” but she was smart and actually a decent actress. So, now she produces and directs films, stars in movies, etc.)
Even Paris Hilton’s fame has faded, at the expense of people like Kim Kardashian. There will always be someone younger and more attractive doing the same crap you did to steal your 15 minutes . . .
It’s so refreshing, actually, to hear “we’re failing this generation.” All I’ve heard at church of late, it seems is “this generation doesn’t…” and “these twenty-somethings…” It’s not just from the octogenarians–I’m hearing it from my pastor, in both her sermons, her conversations with others, and in the newsletters that go out. And people wonder why we’re not reaching “younger generations.” It’s because they’re talked ABOUT and talked AT instead of talked TO. I’m still in my 20s and although I’m on the very front end of it, considered part of this millennial generation.
Do I get angry at some of the younger adults who pull things like Fishburne? Absolutely. At the same time, however, I find myself growing frustrated at all of the opinion pieces I read on the “failure of the 20-somethings” to move out of their parents houses, find steady jobs, and make something of themselves–written by persons who are neither IN their 20s nor have children in their 20s living with them. It’s easy to perpetuate in the media, but it may not ring true for most 20s and 3os–no one has really stopped to ask the “average” person in this age bracket what they’re doing and why. Am I failing college students as I teach? quite possibly. I admit it. I want to be a better role model and do something about this–but I also feel like my voice is drowned out by those still talking about my failings instead of letting me try to undo them.
Honestly, the baby boomers who dominate media outlets (again, it’s my parents generation but does not reflect upon what I believe to be true of most boomers) are still VERY narcissistic and are spreading this information about 20 somethings partially in part because I believe they want to see themselves as still important and in control (and they are, but perhaps feel this starting to shift?)
If the millennial generation is as screwed up as the media is reporting, then perhaps finger pointing needs to be re-directed to a more productive activity (like re-teaching character education and focusing on being better role models ourselves).
Sorry for the soap box–it’s just something that’s been bugging me as well as of late. So I say, yeah, this stinks and we’re failing them but it’s not too late to undo damage if we work together to do something about it.
Well said, Emily. I definitely believe this is a “we” problem and in no way meant to imply that this is solely a “millenials” issue! The Housewives of New York are not twenty-somethings, and they’re still pursuing fame and success through these means, you know? (And I also very much meant that “I” was to blame, especially considering that I watched the Housewives of DC last night with my wife, on our DVR, AFTER I wrote this piece.)
On a related note, we all have much to learn from the millenials, not the least of which are a deeper awareness and compassion for societal issues and a more global perspective of “citizenship” (assuming you believe the research done about the generation). As you point out, there’s much to be gained from an ongoing CONVERSATION between the generations – rather than just yelling at each other without listening. The bottom line is that this decline is a societal issue, affected by countless factors and dynamics. We all have our part to play in restoring character, respect, and dignity.
Thank you for fleshing out a few points that I could have stated more clearly. Preach on!