From Celebrity to Villain -- Sinqus' Journal -- Fur Affinity [dot] net

From Celebrity to Villain

4 years ago

Throughout the long time I've been affiliated with the furry fandom, I've watched people ascend from nothing and reach a state of Godhood within this community, only to fall like a slain ogre and lose everything they've gained because of countless poor desicions. People who were once revered, people I used to idolize, are now about as popular as a swollen boil on the ass and some of them have still yet to realize that their days of glory are over.

I've observed, studied and pondered... Yet it still boggles my mind why this pattern seem to repeat itself. Does fame turn people into villains or are villains more prone to garner fame? I can't help it but to find it absolutely irksome on their behalf how they wasted such an opportunity. It appears to me like some people have it in their blood to become famous while others, regardless how much they may desire it, couldn't hold people's attention even if they bribed them.

Fame is a source of power; you gain influence. These people realised this and actively sought to exploit it for their own benefit to ascend further. What I don't understand is, why does so few deem it worthwhile to use the power discovered to manifest as a beacon of light to others? Why must they be consumed by greed and turn into bigoted abominations who oppress others with their overwhelming superiority complex? Imagine if they used their power to guide people, help people, educate people, spread joy and happiness. They would've built a sustainable reputation and be remembered as someone who contributed richly to the fandom with their charisma, compassion, productions, wisdom and benevolence.

Well, what do I know? I'm just a dumb pink wolf.

7 Comments

MalyDude ~jsfreeman

Observer & Occasional Art Getter

4 years ago

I don’t think fame changes people, it reveals who they really are.

Sinqus ~sinqus

Shaman of Ranakhan

4 years ago

I can't deny this makes sense, but if it be so, then fame has a tendency to wind up in the hands of people who cannot wield it with dignity. I have yet to see a case where the tragic descend from saint to villain wasn't deserved, even if they obstinately insist that they've done nothing wrong.

Serath Kazaan ~inderezzed

Freelance Fur

4 years ago

You're not the only one to notice this. While I've gained over 1k+ watchers myself, I barely reach a state of favorites reaching anywhere NEAR half that number; my most popular submission only has 250+ faves or less, and I think part of that is because I prefer to be myself rather than something someone wants me to be. I think it's something important to note when gaining attention and letting the attention spread to then become fame, and then influence; Influence, when nurtured to its best, can become a very powerful tool, whether for good or for evil. Historically, fame tends to breed evil through greed, and greed, also historically, tends to be widely known as the root of all evil, and sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes greed tends to be the one thing rooted in human history; take the lesson of Adam and Eve for example (note, I'm only using this as an example of what I can tell from context clues after reading Genesis 1:1 through to the Fall so many times over), when they eat of the Fruit (we don't know if it really was an apple) of the Tree of Knowledge, the number one thing I can see from their decision to eat of the fruit to be one of greed, starting with "if God says we can eat of any fruit, why can't we eat of this fruit, too?" which in today's context would lead to "if I can have all this great stuff, why shouldn't I exploit others to have more?"

Sinqus ~sinqus

Shaman of Ranakhan

4 years ago

Fame can be acquired in many ways around here. Some are formidable artists, some purchase tons of artwork and use their attractive fursona to push the frontier of recognition, some have popular opinions and know where to deploy them... But regardless how they acquired the fame, their personalities come to determine how it will serve them. I can think of at least three people that I know who've been on the peak of success and came tumbling down into the chasm of disgrace... Yet when I discuss this with my comrades, we share stories and even more names pop up of other famous people who've suffered same fate. They are many who could not resist the forbidden fruit.

What I really miss is humility and dignity. Some might say those words contradict the notion of being famous but imagine if a revered person was humble, respectful and accommodating towards his fellow furries, treated them like equals and strived to maintain an appealing facade for the public to judge. That almost sounds like the type I'd follow to the end of the world and beyond. I do not understand how it can continue to surprise famous people that their fans and admirers revolt against them when they treat them like garbage, let them down and exploit their generosity. Surely they can't think that fame has glorified them to the point where they can get away with anything and still be the center of adoration?

Serath Kazaan ~inderezzed

Freelance Fur

4 years ago

That, unfortunately, is the reality of today's idea of fame, that you somehow have risen above the average peasantry and that you are entitled to get away with whatever deed you so desire to shove upon others, and believe you can get away with it, whereas that can't be any further disillusioned from reality, where laws must be abided to, and where societal norms of the previous generation still are maintained and continue to stand until the next finally does, and a new is born from the current; the idea that fame can be used not just to influence but also to somehow garner immunity from some amount of punishment is derived from general human nature, that one is above another, once again prevalent throughout human history through the form of feudal systems, and democracies, of which are still maintained to this day. The biggest insult to these are the "ordained monarchies," the idea "God granted me this throne, therefore I am chosen to lead." Biggest offender in this example is King John, whose authority and righteousness went straight to his head. This is but one example of how an idea can be abused in the worst of ways.

Dreamfox ~dreamfox

Watcher

4 years ago

Isn't that what happens to humans that get famous in general?

I'm not sure if that was historical, but the lesson still holds true. During a Roman Triumph the slave that held the laurel wreath over the man of triumph's head whispered to him that "all glory is fleeting".

Glory, fame, in this regard there is no difference. People grew disenchanted with athletes after too many doping scandals. Stars had too many personal and drug scandals. The younger stars think their kind is still as prominent as the ones before them so they think they can do politics, forgetting how quickly you can get burned there. Some grew an superiority complex, thinking they can say and do anything they wanted.

Many stars in the past often only got involved in charities, because they knew that any other involvement could end up getting them into trouble.

So, looking back a few decades and compare, is there so much difference between famous athletes, music or movie stars and the famous artists of the furry fandom you describe?

And is it only furry artists or other artists as well? I'm looking at comic artists in general. Even web comic artists, which live and die by their audience. Go back even further to the great painters and composers of the past.
So few of them had a long-term plan.

Lord-Eredar ~lord-eredar

I Like Comments!

4 years ago

Some people just have a big ego, and it is important to keep yourself humbled. Even I am able to be haughty like that for real and most likely have been multiple times.
Gotta catch yourself!

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