2.4 Gamson Essay
Justin Timberlake is a singer, songwriter, and actor who were born in Memphis,
Tennessee. He was a child star who was a part of some children television shows such as The
Mickey Mouse Club. Then, generally rose to fame while being in the boy band NSYNC. After
the band broke up, Timberlake began a very successful solo career. His second studio album
“FutureSex/LoveSounds” brought Justin Timberlake incredible success. The album won multiple
awards and launched him into superstardom. Now, throughout his adult career not only has he
been influential to other artists. He has taken to acting and other ventures. Justin is clearly an
example of a man who did not need to lower himself for fame, he just worked extremely hard.
Timberlake has been known to have been in high profile relationships in his twenties such as
relationships Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz respectively. Three years ago he married
longtime fiancée Jessica Biel.
Timberlake has expressed ordinariness in many ways. He was caught golfing with a few
of friends by the paparazzi. Also on social media he has taken pictures of himself with his wife
numerous of times. He has also taken a picture of the breakfast he ate. Those are some ways
Timberlake has expressed ordinariness. According to Joshua Gamson, “The suggestion that
celebrities are ordinary folks offers in place of cynicism, the fantasy of intimacy with famous”
(Gamson 1063) In other words the idea that a celebrity are just like us, ordinary human beings is
the replacement of being cynical or jealous because we dream of being intimate with famous
people. This relates to my topic because of the reason we adore Justin Timberlake because of his
boy next door of charm. When he plays golf we are all mesmerized because a man with so many
awards and so much talent actually plays golf just like us.
In Gamson’s essay he says “American culture, at least as an ideological environment is
often hostile toward anything resembling aristocracy, which conflicts with egalitarian beliefs.”
(Gamson 1063) This means the culture of American from an ideological standpoint is usually
critical of anything that resembles some sort of “higher class”, even though it conflicts with our
beliefs of a democracy or being equal. The point that Gamson makes it something that I agree.
Often in our culture of celebrity we tend to criticize any wrongdoing or any mistake made by
someone who is “higher” than us. For example, President Barack Obama’s every move is often
scrutinized by the media. If he makes a mistake or if some sort of problem hits the country he is
to blame. It is natural for the media and us ordinary people to search and skim for any mistake
the President makes. We tend to value and celebrate people who we can relate. That is one of the
reasons why ordinariness does contribute to a celebrity.
What makes a celebrity stand out and important is the marketability they have. Gamson
says, “the commodity at stake is embodied attention; the value of the celebrity is embodied; the
value of the celebrity inheres in his or her capacity to attract and mobilize attention, which is
then typically attached to other products (a television show, a magazine cover, a record album)
or sold for cash directly to people making those other products.” (Gamson 1062) This means that
essence of a celebrity is overall about marketing and attention. The value of a famous is based on
their respective to move and grab attention and buzz. Generally that attention is glued to
television, film, commercials, magazines, and/or a record album.
Because of the ordinariness of celebrities, we can relate to them. Also due to social media
anyways a regular person can be watched as well. One of the key point Gamson makes is that
because we idolized the average and ordinariness of a celebrity of Justin Timberlake, we feel
entitled to being a celebrity to. Even if we do not have the same amount of talent we still want to
be known and watched because it makes us feel important. The only problem with that thought
process is that if we find it ok to be watched every second and to be monitored. Then, we lose the
most important thing we have and are able to control and that is our privacy
Susan Field/Whole Class Gamson Workshop
A Claim or thesis is:
1.
2.
What do you think the claim, or thesis is in this essay?
Who is the author’s celebrity example? How do you know?
Now, just read the quotations the author offers from Gamson. What are these three quotes concerned
with? Or, in other words, what ideas from Gamson does the author seem to be incorporating into his
essay?
a.
b.
c.
Pick one paragraph that does not ‘fit’. Explain your choice.
Reverse outline or Gloss the paragraphs. Use one word to label the topic of each paragraph.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
What do you think the author is trying to say about celebrity and his reaction to Gamson? In other words,
what do you think his claim should be?