Op-Ed: What's the deal with following celebrities?

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I find myself baffled by Western culture's obsession with following celebrities' self-destructive lifestyles and making these people into some kind of martyr. Don't get me wrong; I understand that in large part, celebrities are always going to be a public figure based on their work within the entertainment industry. And at the same time, there's no doubt in my mind that many of them have their fame enhanced by the fact that many people attribute these people as spokespersons for their generation(s). And in many ways, they reflect the kind of society we all live in.

However, that's where my understanding seems to hit a roadblock. Many celebrities are simply given the power to persuade the masses because they have built up a reputation through them - and I would suggest that the most powerful medium to give this persuasion is film, followed closely by music. And while I find I disagree with celebrities like Sean Penn for their politics, it's hard to argue with the guy's social understanding when North American TV screens were pinned on him rescuing people in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. That's certainly him using his persuasion for the greater good - and in large part, he was forgotten after Katrina; but who rose up and took his place in the limelight?

Paris Hilton. Lindsay Lohan. Pete Dougherty. Kate Moss. Amy Winehouse. Britney Spears. I shudder at the mention of the last name on my impromptu list.

I ask not only why these people are famous, but why are they getting so much attention from the entertainment press? Out of the above, only Winehouse has any kind of (debatable) talent - but it seems that nobody really listens to her music, but we all seem to know that she's been in and out of rehab in recent times. It's simply mind-boggling that these people, some of whom are desperate for media, others who are just train-wrecks, have any press whatsoever. I find myself offended that these so-called celebrities get to speak for my generation, get to be turned into martyrs by so many people.

What happened to the celebrities of before, those that tried to bring a positive message? There's nothing positive about Paris Hilton going to parties, or Britney Spears' horrific parenting skills. But yet, time after time, I see their names in the news; and time after time, I hear my generation talking about these celebrities as if they are the all-knowing societal avengers.

I'm not saying there shouldn't be celebrities at all - regardless of what people may want, they'll always be around in some form - and in large part, I don't have any problems with that. But shouldn't we, as a society, idolize a public figure that actually deserves our respect? There's plenty of celebrities that are trying to use their influence for better - but in large part the media doesn't think a positive or meaningful story is worth telling. Instead, the focus on these frankly offensive celebrities is influencing the younger generation to act in similar ways. And when one puts the dots together, it's not hard to see that this society's relationship with train-wreck celebrities is one that only has a negative consequences on not only my generation, but the those above and below me.