Celebrities and Science
By Thomas73
@Thomas73 (1467)
Switzerland
February 4, 2007 6:54am CST
When celebrities talk -- may they be actors, politicians, sportspeople, or anyone famous in any field -- people listen. And when they talk rubbish about something they haven't got the first clue about, people believe them anyway.
When it comes to science, their limited knowledge doesn't prevent them from dishing out advice that can potentially be harmful.
Heather Mills McCartney has blamed the consumption of milk for overweight children. Madonna has advised the British government to use Kaballah techniques to neutralise radiations. John Travolta has advocated the filtering of water three or four times before drinking it. Martina Navratilova has expressed her anti-sympathy towards research studying homosexuality in rams, calling it 'homophobic'. Tom Cruise has claimed that mental illnesses could be treated efficiently with vitamins and exercise... And the list could go on.
Why can't those people get their facts straight before trying to 'educate' the general public? A British charity trust, Sense About Science (http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/), is trying to counteract the inepties spurted out by some well-doers in the highlights of fame by informing people about the realities of some claims. At last, everyone will be able to get the information straight from experts, and not from some would-be gurus who are more used to attending talk-shows than proper conference on the subjects they feel concerned with.
A special mention should be made, however, for those who are familiar with their topic and talk about it knowledgeably. I'm thinking about people like the late Christopher Reeves, who encouraged the research on spinal cord injuries, or Michael J. Fox, who supported a candidate in favour of stem cell research for the future treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, an illness he himself suffers from.
12 people like this
26 responses
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
4 Feb 07
It is no wonder. People treat celebs like they are all- knowing Gods or something. Most of them may have a special talent, but that doesn't mean they really know anything. To me, a politician is no celebrity. The only talent that is required is knowing how to be a professional liar and con-artist. And I am not so sure about all the experts knowing everything they claim to know. It is so hard to trust any of them.
5 people like this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
4 Feb 07
Not one to listen to a Celebs most of all, I can't understand people who take things at face value based on nothing more than the source it is coming from. I personally research everything. I do not listen to any one, LOL. I have even researched claims made by my children’s Doctors and refute their advice at times. I have to ask myself is it pure laziness on their part to NOT question but shrug and say OK?
The sad fact is, you mentioned, Sense About Science trying to get the facts out. Most will not ever hear a word they say, unless they use a very well known Celeb many love. It reminds me of that animal mentality of being infatuated with shinning objects, LOL.
5 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I do not play into what celebrities have to say on much. I agree with you regading Christopher Reeves and Michael J. Fox.
The unfortunate thing is that people become so transfixed on their idols that they believe they are living Gods and Goddesses.
If you want to know the facts, do the research yourself.
2 people like this
@spiderman05 (851)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
If we start in believing celebrities when they talk about science then where are we heading to. Science is already tainted enough even when it emerges from university labs due to the competition that exists between researches to publish more and fast in order to get more grants in order to be able to publish more papers and so on. It is sad to see that science, in general, is not what it used to be at the beginning of the 20th century and before.
@xfcanadian (5)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I know, as an university science student, it drives me crazy when I see people pretend they know science. Pretty much anyone can call themselves an environmentalists, and they don't have to be a scientist, yet people assume they are. Our society has no respect for scientists, who devote their lives and careers to be experts, and no one listens to them.
@Josette_J (805)
• Malaysia
4 Feb 07
Hi! And yes, I think it's very true that people - ordinary people who think they are ordinary - listen to what celebrities say most of the time. The celebs are famous. They earn millions of dollars a year. And they are famous for what they do. This is why people worship them and listen to every word they say. It is truly unfortunate.
If only the people who listen to them have minds of their own to think logically. Celebrities aren't perfect either. Sometimes what they say could be a slip of the tongue and it cannot be helped if unwanted consequences occurred. Unless the celebrity quickly corrects what he/she said earlier. Then, nobody would get hurt.
3 people like this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I try to look at actors, atheltes, etc. as specialists and maybe experts in their fields, butnot in anything else. Some of these celebs change their images and viewpoints as often as the rest of us change our underwear.
Madonna used to slink around stage in lingerie with pointy cones over her boobs; now she's a children's book author and a Kabbalah spokesperson. Who knows what ideas she'll be spouting tomorrow... maybe hawking ginsu knives on TV?
Sometimes the words 'sense' and 'celebrities' don't belong in the same sentence!
2 people like this
@dunetrekker (339)
• United Arab Emirates
5 Feb 07
Whenever i hear/read of a celebrity making a generalization about things of science i would just consider it as their opinion and not even close to a scientific hypothesis. I may even think that they might be up to promoting something. There are of course a few, like the 2 actors you've mentioned, who had done their homework well before they speak. It's just sad to think sometimes that people tend to idolize these celebrities & believe to whatever they say. They may excel in their crafts but i don't think they are omniscient enough to know all facts.
1 person likes this
@hellboi (661)
• Philippines
5 Feb 07
People do have personal beliefs on something and this includes the celebrities. This is not wrong if practiced by themselves but to broadcast their tips to the general public is really bothering. We all know out there, there are die-hard fans that would do anything their idols would tell them. These celebrities must be tactful of what they say cause for all they know they could harm a lot of their fans. With great power comes great responsibility; or may I restate that -- With great fame comes great responsibility. They should be responsible enough not to open their mouth if they don't know anything about an issue. They only look more dumb in their attempt to cover their ignorance.
But of course there are celebrities who do know what they talk about so they are worth listening to. It is good that there is a group that counters celebrity fallacies so that people would know the truth behind some issues. It is also helpful that we verify every information that we hear before we practice it at home. Always ask for professional opinion before you carry out something especially if your source of information isn't that credible.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
5 Feb 07
It is most definitely an abuse of power in many instances. Tom Cruise and John Travolta as Scientologists are notorious for being outspoken. Kaballah with Madonna? Yet another religious belief being espoused to the masses.....
As the colloquial saying already coined goes - "If only they could use their powers for good instead of evil....." Yes, I realise that an absolute majority of celebrities etc do not preach evil persay but I guess it all comes down to your definition of evil! People DO listen. Especially impressionable youth. At least someone is now attempting to set the record straight (Sense About Science).
Don't you find it interesting though that if you so much as say that a star is pregnant or that someone is gay or has broken up with or cheated on someone etc the lawsuits fly thick and fast! Yet these false admissions are pretty much tolerated. A comment about a start like above is pretty harmless compared to a statement regarding diets, medicines or health choices that could affect millions?? Strange world we live in.....
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I pay attention to celebrities'statements or ignore them according to what I already know about the subject. If they know what they're talking about, I might find their statements interesting, but if I want knowledge about a subject, they are the last people I would pay attention to.
Still, celebrities have the same rights to free speech that we all have. Ideally, they would take their fame seriously, understanding how it can influence people, and make sure that they don't make statements just based on their personal opinions.
1 person likes this
@shawn2008 (296)
• United States
4 Feb 07
oh man you make a good point 0.0 i actually did think about this once when president bush was doing a speach on the mars expiditions. i was like gosh you have no clue mr. bush and your making yourself look stupid...again. lol
but yea i think that they should state that it is their OPINION and possibly not fact so that they dont screw anything up.
@bluewings (3857)
•
23 Feb 07
People are so in awe of celebreties that hardly anyone cares to question their opinion and it's this attitude that gives them the confidence to speak freely about anything even if they know little or nothing about it.I'd have thought that being in spotlight they have every reason to know what they are talking and not comment on something that's beyond them.No one expects them to be a genius anyway.So why pretend to act smart on an issue that only reveals their lack of understanding of the topic ?
@rahuldmhatre (736)
• India
4 Feb 07
maybe because they have only half the knowledge, or maybe very little knowledge, all they know is say something interesting in front of cameras, no matter how bullshit it is......just enjoy the fame......but if it is wrong, always deny that later and say that u have been misquoted.....
1 person likes this
@Kayzzaman (173)
• India
5 Feb 07
I never watched any talkshow compeered and anchored by any so-called celebrity. But what is this all about? What do they talk about? W hat do they actually know? We can never expect anything sensible from then. What they blurt out in the process is all crap and bullshits. Piles of rubbish and non-sense. As much as they try to playact the intellectual to a height, they are pulled down to the earth immediately. Only what they can act is a politician's which is also not an act of sensibility - nothing short of of absolute sillyness and nonsense. Once I have heard that Nasiruddin Shah once anchored a science program. He is himself a sensible person as I think. I do not know how ithe show went on.
@abhiquest (579)
• India
5 Feb 07
I think we need to realize that actors are professionals and are being paid for their work, even if not directly, indirectly they are adding on to their own value. Nothing can replace the truth but then we need to check on the facts before we go by what anyone says.
@payatot (37)
• Philippines
5 Feb 07
people listen because they idolize too much. and its a bad thing you know. sometimes, people tend to look for heroes/idols. and when they do find one, most of the time on celebrities, they don't really care if the person has a good head on his shoulders or just playing wannabe. they just sympatize, adore, and even get angry to those who opposes their "idols".
@manmaxman (850)
• India
5 Feb 07
i think celebrities are the not much useful or great person but .............
u know that which is shower that is sold
