Boorstin’s 1962 critique presumed talent-based fame still outranked celebrity

Evidence

In his 1962 book, The Image, historian Daniel Boorstin lamented the rise of celebrity culture, arguing that modern fame had supplanted an era in which “a man’s name was not apt to become a household word unless he exemplified greatness in some way or other.” For Boorstin, the twentieth century marked the fall of a golden age of heroes to the hollow triumph of the celebrity—“a person who is known for his well-knownness.” Despite his critique, celebrity culture only accelerated throughout the century, fueled by the growth of mass media. Yet his argument still stung: To be famous for being famous carried shame. Icons with talent and achievements still received higher esteem than stars who lacked substance. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 139

Categorization

• QUESTION: Relevant to the reader’s counter-case: he may trace the pre-pop collapse norm against which poptimism rebelled.