But that doesn’t mean its not important–or at the very least, interesting. Millions of people follow the adventures of these empty-headed celebrities, are mesmerized by their lives and adventures. More important, a huge industry is based on this phenomenon and the people who are obssessed by it.

I’m not talking about whatever artistic merit these performers might or might not have. That’s irrelevant. The supermarket checkout press does not cater to the people who go see their films, many of these folks can’t even afford to go to the movies. No, there are actually millions of people out there who want to know how these people live, their marriages, love affairs, their pregnancies, their police records, their glamorous lives, their deadbeat kids.

Its a lot like sports, or even rock and roll. Over and above the work these people do, their talent or lack of it, they have a paparazzi existence that generates an excitement (and lots of revenue) all on their own. Some of these notables don’t even seem to have any particular artisitic accomplishments to their credit…real or imagined. They are professional celebrities. Just who the hell are the Kardashians, anyway?

I guess the Romans had their champion gladiators and ace charioteers, but modern communications has made it possible to involve millions in this demiworld, and a huge industry has arisen to stoke and service that need. That is what makes this amazing, fascinating. Its like some weird science fiction thing, a glimpse into an alien culture, except we live in it.

I suppose it’s harmless, no one gets hurt, and it’s purely voluntary, as far as I can tell. There is no extortion or manipulation involved. And I suppose millions get a little relief from their dreary lives. Who am I to criticize? Look at how how many hours I waste typing on this terminal. It’s just another niche in the colossal psychosocial landscape this remarkable culture has created.