ответ
Maybe you’re famous. Maybe you occasionally rub shoulders with someone who is famous. Whether you’re the one who holds fame or who is smitten by fame, I think this reflection may benefit you. So, let’s ask, “What does it mean to be famous?”
It means that people know you before they know you. At least, they know something about you that defines you in their eyes. Usually, they like the thing they use to define you; otherwise, you would infamous instead of famous in their eyes.
People ask, “Are you [your name, as if it was a title]?” And then the conversation becomes about whatever you’re famous for… being an athlete, a politician, a preacher, an author, an actor, etc. The interaction then involves a selfie, a question in your area of expertise, an autograph, or a story about how much you mean to them.
One might think that the effect of being famous would be a healthy sense of belonging and satisfaction. After all, the ideal of 80’s sitcom Cheers is true for you… everyone knows your name. But if you follow the life of famous people or had a conversation with someone who is famous, you realize more often being famous creates a sense of loneliness and isolation.
People don’t really know you. They recognize you, know something about you, and admire you. Famous people tend to have a relational network that is a mile wide and an inch deep. When people interact with a famous person it is an “event” not an authentic interaction. It is something the non-famous person posts on Instagram or tells their friends about; not a two-way interaction of mutual care and interest.
There is an increasing phenomenon of being “Christian famous,” that is, the dynamics of fame that occur within the Christian subculture. If you follow the lives of Christian famous people, you realize the experience of being Christian famous often ends poorly (i.e., some form of moral failure or disillusionment).
Simple logic would say that this is because the Christian famous person becomes arrogant and begins to think they are above the rules that apply to normal people. Doubtless this is true in some cases. But it is an over-simplification to think this is the only dynamic involved.
Being famous means you are known for your strength or accomplishment (again, being infamous, would mean being known for your weakness or failure). People who admire this strength know a lot about you. They’ve studied you. They give you compliments. It enriches their day and makes them feel special to talk with you. They ask you questions and give great weight to your answers. If you ask them a question, they get embarrassed or flustered.
