Obsession.

Office talk at the office yesterday developed into some real deep conversation. Although it seemed pretty shallow at first, we started talking in depth about why people Twitter, BBM and text non-stop. Well, the conversation wasnt too deep, but thoughtful enough that it got me thinking. Which is dangerous during 10th week.

The life of a celebrity is scrutinized so much.. way too much. People want to know everything that goes on in Brad, Angelina, Rihanna and dVb's lives: what they eat, what they dont eat, where they are in the world, what they are wearing for the first, second or third time, etc. You get the point. Celebrity blogs, paparazzi, and other media outlets THRIVE on the details, pictures and video shots of the angry, drunk and, yes, calm and peaceful (although these clips dont bring in the big bucks).

For some twisted reason, people want the fame, the money, and subconciously, the media scrutiny. I mean, the celebrity title does come with paparazzi and fan stalking and email hacking, among other inconveniences. (I dont get it when "celebrities" come out and say they never wanted the fame or never knew that it came with being a "star" because now they cant have a personal life.. come on. Those people obviously live under a rock. [quotations used to signify that the "stars" who say that stuff arent really stars at all.] Real celebrities just deal).

Back to the point. It seems like Twitter and Facebook updates are ways for people to "celebritize" themselves.. to obsessively send out mass microblog updates to everyone to show how cool he/she is because he/she is at this place or that. I'm not saying that is the sole reason people use social media applications, especially real-time ones. I, for one, use it to keep up with friends and know what/how they are doing. Yes, I could simply call, but then that defeats the whole purpose of current technology. (Sure, you can argue that my reason is a lame excuse for truly wanting to be a celebrity. Say what you want, I dont care).

"In the know." What does that mean? Why do we always have to know everything? Why do I have to know who is where and doing what? What does that do for me? I have thought about these questions over and over.. and over. It all comes down to

Obsession.

The downfall of our generation is the obsession to know. Wait. Let me rephrase that. The obsession to know is fine, I think. But it's WHAT the obsession is about. Obsession about your job, your client's work, an author's books, etc.. thats all fine. Those obsessions result in knowledge that is useful, at least most of the time. But society right now is just.. obsessed for the sake of being obsessed. The obsession with stardom and fame. Obsession with people who live just as normally as you and I might (besides the whole money thing).

I dont think I'm making any sense. The point is that obsession leads to comparing lives with celebrities or even friends, always looking at other people and what they do, which are not healthy at all. I need to learn how to not compare my life to that of/want the life of designer Richard Chai (for having a successful fashion label), or hotelier Andre Balazs (for owning The Standards, The Mercer and The Chateau Marmont), or Philippe Starck (for being the amazing designer he is). I need to learn how to be happy with where I am now.

With the help of my roommates, I am learning to have a good attitude, even when I dont want to and in the toughest of times. I have learnt and am constantly realizing how blessed I am. I am looking at my life and figuring out ways to adapt, change and execute so that I can be at the place I want to be at.

... that was long. I dont know if ALL of that connects back to the reason why some people Twitter, but I think I chipped off a tip of the iceberg. Who knew office talk could bring out such profound self-analysis? :P