Podcast Summary
Rules for Influencing Celebrity Status and Network Effects: Being well-known isn't the same as being a celebrity. Celebrity status is a public fixation, influenced by following certain rules and being part of the right social networks, leading to a winner-take-all market.
Celebrity status can be influenced by following certain rules and being part of the right social networks. These networks create a collective interest, leading to a recursive effect where more attention is drawn to the celebrity, creating a winner-take-all market. However, it's important to note that there's a difference between being well-known and being a celebrity who fascinates the public. Fame is simply recognition, while celebrity status involves a public fixation. This can lead to an obsession with the details of some people's lives, but not others. Research by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett into elite social groups suggests that our choices and interests are shaped by the people around us. In Hollywood, this can result in certain stars shining brighter than others due to the collective interest and network effect.
The drivers of celebrity culture: curiosity and accessibility: Our fascination with celebrities stems from our innate curiosity and the accessibility of information in today's society, leading to collective cohesion around shared interests
The accessibility of information and human curiosity are key drivers of celebrity culture. From Jennifer Aniston's sock preference to President Obama's almond consumption, personal details once reserved for the elite have become public knowledge. This phenomenon is a result of the evolution from controlled Hollywood studio systems to a more open society where information is easily accessible. Stanley Milgram's experiment on conformity illustrates how we take cues from others about what to pay attention to. When one person looks up, it may not be noteworthy, but when a group does, it creates a ripple effect, leading many more to follow suit. Companies like Amazon and popular songs, such as "Call Me Maybe," also play a role in creating collective cohesive fan bases by allowing us to coalesce around shared interests. In essence, our fascination with celebrity is fueled by our innate curiosity and the signals we receive from our social environment.
Social Connections and Networks Impact Popularity in Music and Celebrity: Research reveals A-list celebrities have highly connected, closed networks, while B-list and C-list celebrities have more disparate ones, reinforcing their positions and hierarchy in the industry.
The popularity of music and the rise of celebrities are influenced by the interconnectedness of social networks. When it comes to music, knowing what others think is popular can help clarify the list of most popular songs. Similarly, in the case of celebrities, being part of an elite, invite-only network plays a significant role in their rise to fame. My research, which included analyzing photographic data of celebrities and their social connections, found that A-list celebrities have a highly connected, closed network, while B-list and C-list celebrities have much more disparate networks. This exclusivity reinforces their positions and perpetuates the hierarchy within the industry. In essence, social connections and networks play a crucial role in shaping both the music industry and the world of celebrity.
Making the quantum leap to A-list celebrity: Significant events in career or social life, marrying or befriending an A-lister, or achieving career success can help become an A-list celebrity. Geographical location also plays a role, with cities like LA, NY, or London boosting star power.
Becoming an A-list celebrity isn't an iterative process. It's not a matter of toiling away as a B-list celebrity and eventually making it to the top. Instead, something significant must happen in your career or social life to make the quantum leap. This could mean marrying or befriending an A-lister, or achieving success in your career that draws attention from the media. Interestingly, the place where you are geographically located also plays a role. The media, and by extension the public, tends to focus on celebrities who are based in Los Angeles, New York, or London. Therefore, being in these cities can help boost your star power. Conversely, going to places like Las Vegas can actually decrease it. Ultimately, the path to A-list status requires a combination of talent, connections, and strategic location.
The formation of a new social elite based on lifestyle choices: Individuals' pursuit of healthy living and unique choices create a new social hierarchy, distinct from traditional wealth indicators.
The pursuit of healthy living and individual choices can lead to the formation of an exclusive new social elite, known as the aspirational class. While this group may not display traditional signs of wealth like expensive cars or watches, their choices regarding organic produce, yoga, and education create a distinct social hierarchy. Elizabeth Currid-Halkett argues that this club is just as exclusive as the A-list, with membership based on adherence to certain lifestyle choices. For those aiming to join Hollywood's elite, attending events in Las Vegas might not be the answer, as it may reinforce one's status as a "bee lister" rather than propelling them into the A-list club. The choices made by individuals in their daily lives can have unintended consequences, leading to the formation of new social elites.
Shift from conspicuous to inconspicuous consumption: The wealthy now prioritize invisible expenses like education and healthcare over material goods to display social status, while the middle class continues to focus on tangible possessions.
The markers of social class have shifted from conspicuous consumption of material goods to inconspicuous consumption. While the wealthy still spend large sums of money, much of it goes towards expenses that are not easily observable, such as education, healthcare, and home services. On the other hand, the middle class tends to focus on material goods. The research showed that even seemingly small expenses, like Pilates classes or organic food, can add up significantly. This shift in spending patterns reflects a change in the way people display their social status, with a move towards subtler and less ostentatious forms of consumption.
Understanding the wealthy's invisible spending: The wealthy invest in invisible, time-saving and health-promoting practices like breastfeeding and education, signifying their social position.
The wealthy class in America is shifting their spending patterns towards invisible, time-saving and health-promoting practices, such as breastfeeding and education, which serve as markers of their social position. Breastfeeding, while seemingly an inconspicuous consumption choice, requires significant investment of time and resources, making it an expensive luxury in today's knowledge-driven economy. Similarly, at the other end of life, the poor spend over a quarter more on funerals than the rich, highlighting the stark contrasts in how different socio-economic groups approach death and its rituals. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how the wealthy spend their money, not just on visible luxury goods, but on the invisible services and experiences that enhance their quality of life and solidify their social status.
Distinct funeral practices for rich and poor: Wealthier families prefer private cremations, while poorer families have larger, communal funerals. These choices reinforce class distinctions and contribute to the formation of a new social elite.
Wealth and social practices surrounding death create distinct divisions between the rich and the poor. Poorer families have larger, more communal funerals due to greater social capital, while wealthier families opt for private cremations as a signifier of their class and different attitudes towards death. These choices contribute to the formation of a new social elite, as privileged behaviors and practices reinforce privilege across generations, while material goods do not. This dynamic is shaped by cultural norms and individual beliefs, but the overall trend is that wealthier individuals have the means and preferences for more exclusive death rituals.
Inconspicuous consumption practices can widen the social divide: Education investment, a crucial step for social mobility, perpetuates privilege due to high cost and shame associated with alternative choices.
The practice of inconspicuous consumption, such as investing in education, breastfeeding, or practicing yoga, can unintentionally widen the social divide. The top 10% of Americans have significantly increased their educational expenditures, while the poor have remained stagnant. This educational disparity sets children up for future success in the workplace, making it a crucial investment for social mobility. However, the high cost of education perpetuates the privilege, making it a challenge even for the upper middle class. The author also points out the issue of feeling shame or embarrassment when one cannot maintain these practices, such as introducing formula instead of breastfeeding. This mentality overlooks the reality that not everyone has the same resources and opportunities. Education, as a status good, not only signifies current status but also reproduces privilege for future generations.
Privileged Practices Perpetuate Inequality: Affluent individuals have the means to invest in practices like education, music lessons, and healthy living, which can contribute to societal inequality due to their high cost and unequal access.
While practices like investing in education, musical lessons, and healthy living may have intrinsic value, they also contribute to societal inequality due to their high cost. The top 1% spends significantly more on these practices than the rest of the population, making it a privilege only accessible to those with the necessary education and income. This obliviousness to the privilege these practices bestow can perpetuate inequality. For instance, buying organic food, breastfeeding, and exercising, while beneficial, are often only affordable to the affluent. It's essential to acknowledge the role these practices play in the college application process and recognize the unequal access to them.
The disconnect between privileged and underprivileged: Privileged individuals may unintentionally live in a bubble, disconnected from the realities and struggles of those outside of it. Engaging with diverse perspectives can help bridge this gap and promote understanding.
Living in a bubble of privilege, even unintentionally, can lead to a disconnect from the realities and struggles of those outside of it. Elizabeth Carret-Halkett's research on the aspirational class and Erin Beaton's commentary on wealth highlight the shock and guilt felt by those in privileged positions when confronted with the stark realities of inequality. Serving meals at a shelter, as described by an anonymous ethnographer, provides a poignant illustration of this disconnect. The guilt and shame felt after enjoying a luxurious meal in contrast to serving one to those in need is a common experience among the wealthy. This research underscores the importance of stepping outside of our comfort zones and engaging with diverse perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world.
Recognizing and acknowledging privileges is crucial for reducing inequality: Being conscious of our privileges helps us understand others' experiences and work towards a more equitable world
Recognizing and acknowledging our privileges is the first step towards creating a more equitable world. Erin Beaton, an assistant professor at Ohio State University, emphasizes the importance of stepping outside of our comfort zones and looking at the world and ourselves differently. Privilege often goes unnoticed, making it difficult to address. By being conscious of our privileges, we can begin to understand the experiences of others and work towards reducing inequality. The Conversation, a news and commentary website, plays a crucial role in bringing academic ideas to the general public. Their team, including Jonathan Gang, Anne Noisani, and Maria Balinska, helped produce Beaton's commentary in this episode. To stay updated on their content, sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media. Remember, the hard work of creating a more equitable world starts with us.
