There was this programme on.
OK, by saying that, I remember back in the 20th Century it was literally the case that because of the limited options on offer, it really would be the case that there would be this programme on. There wouldn’t be any doubt about that programme, you would know what the programme is and we could move on smoothly from that.
Now, however, when I say there was a programme on, I can literally mean any video-recorded bit that might have been put up on a terrestrial or digital platform. Not only that, nowadays I could be referring to a programme recorded two minutes ago or two decades ago or even longer.
What a time to be alive.
In any case, there was this programme on that was a tribute to this comedian. Other personalities and celebrities came on to shower the individual with praise. Highlighting the great jokes, the inspiring personality, the legacy, the large audiences, the accolades and so on and so on. The programme went on for about ninety minutes and as we can tell with these things, for whatever was put on the programme there would have been a lot of material that never made it to the final cut. What a great comedian!
Watching it, though, I could understand the allure of adulation.
It’s one thing to celebrate and acknowledge what somebody does well. But it doesn’t take much for that thought to become something to feel elevated about. You’re good at it. We like the fact that you’re good at it. We applaud you for doing it. We’ll give you money for being so good at it. As long as you do it, we’ll keep on applauding you.
I can understand the allure.
They put you on a pedestal and after all it’s what you do that has built the pedestal. And after all you deserve it. You did it. And you’re getting the radiant glow of the praise for all that you have done. And that ray of applause and compliments … that’s quite something after all that you have done.
I can understand the allure.
What could possibly be wrong with that?
A wise man told me, though, that it’s always important to check the foundation on which you stand. It might look good when the sun shines and the skies are blue, but what happens when … will you still stand when …
I can understand the allure – not just for celebrities or politicians or people in positions of authority. It’s alluring for anyone who gets a glimmer of something and takes a faint bit of praise and turns it into something in the delusion that it’s something to build an identity with.
It’s alluring, but is it substantial – will you stand when …?
(Photo by Ezra Comeau-Jeffrey on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 