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%FULFILLMENT THROUGH FAME 781006
We often fall into the trap of seeking fulfillment
through fame, public recognition, national/international
reputation, broad recognition, etc. In that trap the
meaning of life is dependent upon many people becoming
aware of us on the basis of our accomplishments. We thus
seek to engage in whatever we consider to be noteworthy
behavior---and the meaning of our life gets tied up by our
considerations of what others should/will take note of.
Our life ends up having no meaning if we fail in our
effort to attract general attention. We let who we are---
depend upon who and how many others are aware of us. We
may even prefer unfavorable awareness to being unknown.
Fulfillment through fame is a dead-end street because
it is a kind of fulfillment which by its nature is limited
to very few people---because very few people can become
famous. It is foolish for many people to define the
meaning of their lives in terms of succeeding in becoming
one of the few famous people in the world.
Fulfillment through fame may be qualified by seeking
fame within a select group of people whom one respects.
Such a qualification does not really eliminate the trap---
for the meaning of life is still dependent upon judgments
made by a large number of people, people with whom one is
not intimate. Seeking to become notable tends to motivate
impersonal behavior which is unresponsive to people with
integrity. The focus of the meaning which is sought is
selfish and self-defeating.
Fulfillment through fame promotes destructive
competition. Those who seek fame are competing with each
other for the limited attention span of those whose
attention they seek. One person's fulfillment thus tends
to undermine all other's fulfillment. Seeking fame does
not promote cooperative or communal behavior. It promotes
individuality and community fragmentation.
Competitive societies tend to promote seeking
fulfillment is elitist ways. In the extreme they envision
an elitist heaven presided over by an exclusive God who
has high standards of admission. People then compete to
merit admission into heaven. Only the most righteous will
be admitted, and become ultimately famous for eternity.
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
www.essayz.com Search for Integrity and Honesty
(On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)
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