Thread: What should the roles of actors be in society?

This is in response to the massive amount of actors who think they wield power...by having a particular viewpoint....(Clooney, DiCaprio, etc)

Obviously Ah-nold is excluded...because he's actually a governor...

In politics, all the world is a stage.

The problem appears to be that the press, not the actor/actress, over-stress their opinions. For the most part these actors/actresses are often ignorant of the reality in which they feel so qualified to speak on. These people make great spokesmen for a cause. They have name recognition, fan base, the ability to articulate a cause, and friends in the press. I blame the press, because they never actually make the actor/actress qualify their opinions with facts.

In the case of fund-raising for natural disasters or humanitarian disasters, actors and such are a real asset to the cause. In these cases they do exactly what is needed. They put an emotional face to the problem at hand and can bring in support.

Same role as any private citizen.

Regarding populism, it's the cult of personality- not facts.

Listening to Sean Penn ramble on about how Bush is the devil a couple months ago was really sad. He gave no informed opinion about Iraq whatsoever, rather spouting off mindlessly. The sad thing was the reporter talked like Penn knew something we don't about Iraq.

Originally Posted by Shadowman

Same role as any private citizen.

*Ding, ding, ding*

We have a winner!

Originally Posted by Bluegrass

Regarding populism, it's the cult of personality- not facts.

Listening to Sean Penn ramble on about how Bush is the devil a couple months ago was really sad. He gave no informed opinion about Iraq whatsoever, rather spouting off mindlessly. The sad thing was the reporter talked like Penn knew something we don't about Iraq.

So what? It's Sean Penn's right to ramble. If the media wants to televise the ramble, that's their problem.

Originally Posted by The_Bear

This is in response to the massive amount of actors who think they wield power...by having a particular viewpoint....(Clooney, DiCaprio, etc)

Obviously Ah-nold is excluded...because he's actually a governor...

You would have them silenced because of the way they make a living?

Originally Posted by Shadowman

So what? It's Sean Penn's right to ramble. If the media wants to televise the ramble, that's their problem.

That's my point about the media.

Of course Penn has the right to ramble. That goes without saying.

I vote "other" because while their obvious role is "to act," I think it's important for each of us to particpate in society in a way that is positive, even that amounts to opposing a wrong government policy. If a person wants to use his/her fame and status to make a statement, I don't see the problem unless they're promoting racism or hatred*. And that doesn't just apply to actors, what about Bill Gates? Or Donald Trump?

Hell, Ted Nugent is an outspoken anti-liberal.

And I guess that's why I'm not concerned about "turn-about" because most vociferous righties are pretty obviously idiots. I know that sounds unfair, and I'm sorry to offend our PH right-wingers, but anyone who STILL supports the Bush doctrine with regard to Iraq is either not paying attention and/or misinformed, on the take, or not very bright. And if, say, Kelsey Grammer, started carrying pro-war signs he'd be laughed off the street.



*And don't even try to say the Dixie Chicks (or others) are promoting "hatred" when the bust on Bush. I'm talking about white supremacy, anti-semitism, etc.