As someone who is quite active in social network channels, I can't help to notice that more and more celebs and famous leaders are using these channels too. For mere mortals like me, I don't think that my opinions are taken too seriously when I post anything on my Facebook status/wall, or tweet something on my twitter page or even what I write here. Recently, something struck me... when someone as famous as Bill Gates tweets, will people see his tweets as his own personal view or will people start associating his view/values to his company, Microsoft?
Something closer to home, last year, when the tsunami hit Japan, our Prime Minister's wife made a comment that was resented by a lot of people. Her distasteful comment was taken so seriously, I remember reading so many tweets about the FLOM's (First Lady of Malaysia) blunder, right after her vid was shared all over the Net:
I am sure if she tweeted it, she would get the same reactions from the public. Again, even if it were to be her personal opinion, but once voiced out, people will associate it to what she is representing ie: Malaysia.
What about Mel Gibson? His racist remarks, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" has caused him losses and his reputation went down the drain. What about the recent tweet by Blake Shelton, which he had to apologize profusely the day after the first tweet. When I read it, it didn't even cross my mind on him being homophobic or anything but to the gay community members, they were outraged and demand for explanation and apology.
I am sure that it is a challenge for someone who is recognized by the public to voice out anything personal anymore. At the same time, can the public ever treat those opinions simply as that person's personal views? I guess our human mind is very associative in nature. Naturally, when we say Obama, we immediately think of US, and when we say Steve Jobs (although he is no longer in our midst), we instantly think of Apple.
Therefore, I think that, whether the celebs and leaders like or not, it is part and parcel of their jobs that their opinions will always be taken seriously and associated to what they represent. In a way, once you are famous and represent a big association, you, in a way, lose your right to voice out your personal opinion without getting your remarks/comments associated to whatever that you represent. It's sad but it's true, that the public will no longer see you as an individual but as a representational figure of your position.
Peace for now, models and mortals out there. I am hoping to write again soon.
Something closer to home, last year, when the tsunami hit Japan, our Prime Minister's wife made a comment that was resented by a lot of people. Her distasteful comment was taken so seriously, I remember reading so many tweets about the FLOM's (First Lady of Malaysia) blunder, right after her vid was shared all over the Net:
What about Mel Gibson? His racist remarks, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" has caused him losses and his reputation went down the drain. What about the recent tweet by Blake Shelton, which he had to apologize profusely the day after the first tweet. When I read it, it didn't even cross my mind on him being homophobic or anything but to the gay community members, they were outraged and demand for explanation and apology.
I am sure that it is a challenge for someone who is recognized by the public to voice out anything personal anymore. At the same time, can the public ever treat those opinions simply as that person's personal views? I guess our human mind is very associative in nature. Naturally, when we say Obama, we immediately think of US, and when we say Steve Jobs (although he is no longer in our midst), we instantly think of Apple.
Therefore, I think that, whether the celebs and leaders like or not, it is part and parcel of their jobs that their opinions will always be taken seriously and associated to what they represent. In a way, once you are famous and represent a big association, you, in a way, lose your right to voice out your personal opinion without getting your remarks/comments associated to whatever that you represent. It's sad but it's true, that the public will no longer see you as an individual but as a representational figure of your position.
Peace for now, models and mortals out there. I am hoping to write again soon.
