MURDERING CHARLIE SHEEN

Hey, didn't you used to be Charlie Sheen?

I'm only writing about Charlie Sheen because I'm dedicated to gunning down the "Idiot Culture" as long as I can draw breath.

As usual, whenever an A-lister melts down -- or a Kardashian breaks wind -- the media go into a feeding frenzy. A ratings-jacking autopsy in the shiny robes of righteous indignation.

Here's how I see it:

1/ Charlie Sheen was one of the finest actors of his generation. "Platoon," "Wall Street," thank you linesmen, thank you ball boys;

2/ Sheen's personal life is such a space shuttle disaster, that any public analysis thereof makes about as much sense as measuring a doberman to see if it will fit through the cat door;

3/ The media love this s**t.

It's the Idiot Culture.

I don't know what Charlie's problem is. Drugs, booze, mental disorder... Probably all of the above. What is obvious is that he needs help. And yet he's become a bigger hit than ever. That's what sells, baby. Disaster. So stay tuned, if that's your thing, because you're probably going to watch this guy completely self destruct, and it will be sponsored by a brand of hair gel or lip gloss.

Charlie is just the bitter flavor of the month. The names and faces change. When we get bored with one -- and yes, we'll get bored with Charlie -- there's always something new and worthless to latch onto. The point is, we over-worship the wrong things and people. And we love to watch pathetic real-life soap operas play out.

It's in us by nature. Call it schadenfreude. Sociopathy. Willful neglect. Whatever it is, it's better left alone. Yet our Idiot Culture is geared up and ready to feed it. Gorge it with the blood and guts of any luckless bastard or self-serving airhead it can get its hands on.

Unless we turn off those shows and stop buying those tabloid magazines. Unless we insist that any sick person, whether it's Charlie Sheen or a homeless person living in a cardboard box, gets help. Because we're human beings, not just consumers that advertisers can nab at will by acting like sideshow hucksters urging us to step inside the tent and see the bearded lady.

We have played a part in developing a society that cares more about artificial, televised sincerity, than caring about real people and important issues in real and important ways.

In return, our media have helped to house us in the Idiot Culture. And Charlie Sheen is the idiot of the hour. There's something truly tragic about that. All of it.

I know it's an awesome car wreck. And so will the next one be.

But don't look.

Best wishes,
Adrian

IF YOU FOUND THIS POST INTERESTING you might like to take a look at THE IDIOT CULTURE.