Quite possibly the most amazing thing to have come out of my brain...
Heath Ledger is Not a Gay Cowboy; He’s With Me…He Just Doesn’t Know it yet
By Courtney Zych
Many people covet what they cannot have; the thought is so common that it is even warned against in the Ten Commandments. There is always some sort of competition going on in our lives whether it is trying to get the best grade point average, trying to beat rivals in sports games, or trying to squeeze your way closer to the food counter in Phelps. The person who “wins” all of these competitions seems to have some special characteristic that makes them good at whatever they are doing. Other people look at the so called victor and see something that they want to become so they start to try and mimic their behavior. American culture values its hierarchy of the famous; there are television shows and tabloids that keep us updated on the people that we seem to be living through. The American public generally likes to have insight into other peoples’ lives and see what they have done in order to make the large sums of money that they do. While Socrates was not teaching in order to support his family he did gain the public image that most people covet. Whenever someone says the name Socrates everyone immediately knows who you are referring to much like if you were to go to Chicago and say the name Kanye (West). The position of a public figure involves people knowing their private business whether the business happens to be good or bad. Socrates was not exactly popular with the Athenian people seeing as how he was put to death by them, but there was something about him that made people interested to hear the latest gossip on him.
I think that Alcibades was not attracted to the actual Socrates but the image Socrates represents. How many times have we looked at a magazine, seen an attractive person, and wished that we were dating (or marrying) them? Simon Cowell very well may be one the most brutally honest and rude people in the world yet there are still people out there that worship him because he is on television. Socrates was not a physically attractive man but his position in society’s eyes makes him much more attractive because we believe that if we are with someone famous then it may in fact make us famous by association. My aunt, for example, has been following Jon Bon Jovi around the Midwest region for about ten years now. She has been to about fifty concerts and has spent more money then I could imagine on useless objects with his face plastered on them. She does not even know Bon Jovi, she only met him recently for a very brief time after spending hours stalking him at his hotel in Milwaukee. I am not trying to say that Jon Bon Jovi is a horrible person, I am sure that he is a great human being; I am saying that fame is such an attractive quality in another person that some people are willing to go to insane lengths to get even ten seconds with someone to take a picture. “How wonderful would it be…if the foolish were filled with wisdom simply by touching the wise … I would consider it the greatest prize to have the chance to lie down next to you. I would soon be overflowing with your wonderful wisdom” (175c-e). People want to get next to someone famous so that they too will be in the spotlight. I think that Alcibades is really just trying to make himself look more important and valuable and Socrates can see through that which is why he turns him down.
“I couldn’t help admiring his natural character, his moderation, his fortitude- here is a man whose strength and wisdom went beyond my wildest dreams!” (219d) Funny, I have heard similar things come out of girls’ mouths while discussing Johnny Depp’s film career. On a more serious note however, many people put their object of desire on a pedestal that is ultimately impossible to reach. Alcibades is no exception to the rule and clearly demonstrates the hero worshipping that is a no-no in any relationship that you want to have a chance. Building someone up in your mind is ultimately going to lead to utter despair and disappointment when that person does not live up to your expectations. This situation reminds me of a Full House episode in which Michelle is devastated to find out that she has been swindled by a bright red dinosaur on television. Uncle Jesse comes to the rescue as always, but the episode was meant to show us that appearances can be deceiving and that we can’t make assumptions about others. No one is perfect; Alcibades’ mistake was trying to use Socrates to gain knowledge and popularity. Heath Ledgers’ was kissing Jake Gyllenhaal instead of me. Don’t worry, once he comes around you will all be invited to the wedding.
By Courtney Zych
Many people covet what they cannot have; the thought is so common that it is even warned against in the Ten Commandments. There is always some sort of competition going on in our lives whether it is trying to get the best grade point average, trying to beat rivals in sports games, or trying to squeeze your way closer to the food counter in Phelps. The person who “wins” all of these competitions seems to have some special characteristic that makes them good at whatever they are doing. Other people look at the so called victor and see something that they want to become so they start to try and mimic their behavior. American culture values its hierarchy of the famous; there are television shows and tabloids that keep us updated on the people that we seem to be living through. The American public generally likes to have insight into other peoples’ lives and see what they have done in order to make the large sums of money that they do. While Socrates was not teaching in order to support his family he did gain the public image that most people covet. Whenever someone says the name Socrates everyone immediately knows who you are referring to much like if you were to go to Chicago and say the name Kanye (West). The position of a public figure involves people knowing their private business whether the business happens to be good or bad. Socrates was not exactly popular with the Athenian people seeing as how he was put to death by them, but there was something about him that made people interested to hear the latest gossip on him.
I think that Alcibades was not attracted to the actual Socrates but the image Socrates represents. How many times have we looked at a magazine, seen an attractive person, and wished that we were dating (or marrying) them? Simon Cowell very well may be one the most brutally honest and rude people in the world yet there are still people out there that worship him because he is on television. Socrates was not a physically attractive man but his position in society’s eyes makes him much more attractive because we believe that if we are with someone famous then it may in fact make us famous by association. My aunt, for example, has been following Jon Bon Jovi around the Midwest region for about ten years now. She has been to about fifty concerts and has spent more money then I could imagine on useless objects with his face plastered on them. She does not even know Bon Jovi, she only met him recently for a very brief time after spending hours stalking him at his hotel in Milwaukee. I am not trying to say that Jon Bon Jovi is a horrible person, I am sure that he is a great human being; I am saying that fame is such an attractive quality in another person that some people are willing to go to insane lengths to get even ten seconds with someone to take a picture. “How wonderful would it be…if the foolish were filled with wisdom simply by touching the wise … I would consider it the greatest prize to have the chance to lie down next to you. I would soon be overflowing with your wonderful wisdom” (175c-e). People want to get next to someone famous so that they too will be in the spotlight. I think that Alcibades is really just trying to make himself look more important and valuable and Socrates can see through that which is why he turns him down.
“I couldn’t help admiring his natural character, his moderation, his fortitude- here is a man whose strength and wisdom went beyond my wildest dreams!” (219d) Funny, I have heard similar things come out of girls’ mouths while discussing Johnny Depp’s film career. On a more serious note however, many people put their object of desire on a pedestal that is ultimately impossible to reach. Alcibades is no exception to the rule and clearly demonstrates the hero worshipping that is a no-no in any relationship that you want to have a chance. Building someone up in your mind is ultimately going to lead to utter despair and disappointment when that person does not live up to your expectations. This situation reminds me of a Full House episode in which Michelle is devastated to find out that she has been swindled by a bright red dinosaur on television. Uncle Jesse comes to the rescue as always, but the episode was meant to show us that appearances can be deceiving and that we can’t make assumptions about others. No one is perfect; Alcibades’ mistake was trying to use Socrates to gain knowledge and popularity. Heath Ledgers’ was kissing Jake Gyllenhaal instead of me. Don’t worry, once he comes around you will all be invited to the wedding.