Is Lady Gaga a hero?

[Rett Mikhal]

I think genuine heroism involves a certain amount of risk. It's easy to do good at no risk to yourself. Why is that heroic? I'm not saying it's bad, just that it doesn't necessarily deserve the "heroic" label. Philanthropy is an enormous good in this world, but I would hesitate to call such benefactors "heroes."

"Hero" should be rather narrowly defined, otherwise it doesn't really mean anything--you could find a way to call anyone a "hero."

Exactly the point I was making. If you were a rocket scientist with ten Ph.Ds who designed the Saturn V rocket, then I launched a model rocket in my back yard and called myself a rocket scientist, how would you feel?

The term "rocket scientist" has a more firm definition. "Hero" does not. That said, when one has money to adopt a child and does so, yet doesn't sacrifice one's wealth in the process, is that person still a hero to that child for being adopted? You better believe it. Great sacrifice is not required for someone to be a hero. Again, that is what makes "hero" a diaphanous term, because it can be applied in so many ways.

But the point of my statement was effort. The scientist worked hard to get to where he is and earn his title. A hero, generally, has to do the same. Though there is no one way to do it, it always involves effort and sincerity. It may not take effort to donate money, but it does usually take sincerity, unless you do it just to please your publicity manager.

I don't see Babynoise making effort or having sincerity.

 

[Nerys Myk]

"Babynoise" Who?

 

[Sci]

But the point of my statement was effort. The scientist worked hard to get to where he is and earn his title. A hero, generally, has to do the same. Though there is no one way to do it, it always involves effort and sincerity. It may not take effort to donate money, but it does usually take sincerity, unless you do it just to please your publicity manager.

I don't see Babynoise making effort or having sincerity.

Are you serious?

Stefani Germanotta -- "Lady Gaga" -- learned to play the piano at age 4. By 13, she was writing her own songs. She gained early admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University at age 17. She began working as a songwriter and in a band in New York about a year and a half later. Within a few years, her band was invited to play at Lollopoluza, where they were critically acclaimed, and she was hired as a songwriter at Interscope records. And she's been touring almost constantly ever since her first album became a hit.

Whatever you may think about her music, you cannot seriously say that she has not worked hard to earn her current status.

 

[sidious618]

"Babynoise" Who?

I think it was supposed to be "funny." Alas, it failed.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

But the point of my statement was effort. The scientist worked hard to get to where he is and earn his title. A hero, generally, has to do the same. Though there is no one way to do it, it always involves effort and sincerity. It may not take effort to donate money, but it does usually take sincerity, unless you do it just to please your publicity manager.

I don't see Babynoise making effort or having sincerity.

Are you serious?

Stefani Germanotta -- "Lady Gaga" -- learned to play the piano at age 4. By 13, she was writing her own songs. She gained early admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University at age 17. She began working as a songwriter and in a band in New York about a year and a half later. Within a few years, her band was invited to play at Lollopoluza, where they were critically acclaimed, and she was hired as a songwriter at Interscope records. And she's been touring almost constantly ever since her first album became a hit.

Whatever you may think about her music, you cannot seriously say that she has not worked hard to earn her current status.

Yeah, it's not like she just came up out of nowhere. She spent many years paying her dues. I don't begrudge her any of her fame or success.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'd like to see her do an 'unplugged'-ish album and tour, without all of the pop crap and weird outfits and shit like that. I realize this runs counter to her entire image, but if she's so talented, let her show it that way.

Assuming her handlers will allow it, of course.

 

[zakkrusz]

Not mine anyway. I never heard of her until this thread. Then again I usually just steer clear of pop music anyway though.

 

[Sci]

I'd like to see her do an 'unplugged'-ish album and tour, without all of the pop crap and weird outfits and shit like that. I realize this runs counter to her entire image, but if she's so talented, let her show it that way.

Assuming her handlers will allow it, of course.

The impression I get is that she doesn't really have handlers, because she can't really be handled. She just does her own thing. She is the driving force behind all that "pop crap and weird outfits and shit like that." If the label had their way, I'm sure she'd just be another generic Britney/Ke$ha/Katy Perry.

Meanwhile, if you'd like to see what Lady Gaga was like when she was Stephani Germanotta, a student at New York University, check out this video:

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_hHc7TZjyY[/yt]

 

[Jetfire]

^
After seeing that I have to say she is talented...to be honest I prefer her with just the piano...the dance-pop crap is just awful.

 

[stoneroses]

Not a hero, not a flash in the pan. Her music is very 80s at it's worst.
Please don't compare her to real music this just light pop.

 

[Amaris]

Not a hero, not a flash in the pan. Her music is very 80s at it's worst.
Please don't compare her to real music this just light pop.

What she's playing is real music. Now, whether you like it or not, it's still real music.

 

[exodus]

Didn't she admit recently that she has a cocaine habit?

Does that still make he a hero?

 

[Professor Zoom]

Didn't she admit recently that she has a cocaine habit?

Does that still make he a hero?

She said she does it a few times a year. Followed by a don't do things because I do things.

Does that still make her a hero? Probably not.

But, it makes her more honest than most stars.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Didn't she admit recently that she has a cocaine habit?

Does that still make he a hero?

What does one have to do with the other? Is Ira Hayes not a hero because he was an alchoholic?

 

[Rett Mikhal]

But the point of my statement was effort. The scientist worked hard to get to where he is and earn his title. A hero, generally, has to do the same. Though there is no one way to do it, it always involves effort and sincerity. It may not take effort to donate money, but it does usually take sincerity, unless you do it just to please your publicity manager.

I don't see Babynoise making effort or having sincerity.

Are you serious?

Stefani Germanotta -- "Lady Gaga" -- learned to play the piano at age 4. By 13, she was writing her own songs. She gained early admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University at age 17. She began working as a songwriter and in a band in New York about a year and a half later. Within a few years, her band was invited to play at Lollopoluza, where they were critically acclaimed, and she was hired as a songwriter at Interscope records. And she's been touring almost constantly ever since her first album became a hit.

Whatever you may think about her music, you cannot seriously say that she has not worked hard to earn her current status.

If you read my previous posts you'd see I do recognize she at one time had a lot of musical talent, and that's why it saddens me to see someone like that has to put on the facade she does just to make a living. Having talent isn't enough, you also have to dangle a shiny gimmick in front of everyone's face. Course you could argue there's a difference between making a living and being famous, but that's a moot point because everyone wants to be rich and famous at one point or another.

The comment about effort was for the Civil Rights hero title. Other people have done far more but you'll never hear about them. That's the effort I was talking about, hence why if I pretended to be a rocket scientist in front of a real rocket scientist I should, in all justice, get punched in the mouth... not that I would ever do such a thing.

As for all the speeches and support she does, I still honestly think it's just publicity. Some might call me too cynical. Some may say I have no faith in humanity. Some might say I should accept the fact not everything humans do is for their own personal gain and if it benefits society it's completely and utterly unintentional.

But I'd really rather not for the same reason I'll never bet on the Cubs winning.

 

[Sci]

But the point of my statement was effort. The scientist worked hard to get to where he is and earn his title. A hero, generally, has to do the same. Though there is no one way to do it, it always involves effort and sincerity. It may not take effort to donate money, but it does usually take sincerity, unless you do it just to please your publicity manager.

I don't see Babynoise making effort or having sincerity.

Are you serious?

Stefani Germanotta -- "Lady Gaga" -- learned to play the piano at age 4. By 13, she was writing her own songs. She gained early admission to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University at age 17. She began working as a songwriter and in a band in New York about a year and a half later. Within a few years, her band was invited to play at Lollopoluza, where they were critically acclaimed, and she was hired as a songwriter at Interscope records. And she's been touring almost constantly ever since her first album became a hit.

Whatever you may think about her music, you cannot seriously say that she has not worked hard to earn her current status.

If you read my previous posts you'd see I do recognize she at one time had a lot of musical talent,

Has. You may not feel that she's exercising her full talent, but talent and ability like that do not just disappear, especially when you're making your living by using them.

and that's why it saddens me to see someone like that has to put on the facade she does just to make a living. Having talent isn't enough, you also have to dangle a shiny gimmick in front of everyone's face.

*shrugs* I don't think it's a gimmick or a facade for her. I think that that's just honestly the way in which she chooses to express herself. It's the modern equivalent of Elton John's outrageous outfits in the 1970s -- I don't think a reasonable person can deny his extraordinary talent and musical education, but he obviously chose to combine that with an outrageous image, too.

The comment about effort was for the Civil Rights hero title. Other people have done far more but you'll never hear about them.

Okay, fair enough then. I don't think Lady Gaga would ever claim herself to be the equal of people like Harvey Milk in the struggle for LGBT rights.

As for all the speeches and support she does, I still honestly think it's just publicity. Some might call me too cynical. Some may say I have no faith in humanity. Some might say I should accept the fact not everything humans do is for their own personal gain and if it benefits society it's completely and utterly unintentional.

But I'd really rather not for the same reason I'll never bet on the Cubs winning.

*shrugs* Well, that's your business, but I see no reason to think that she's not sincere in her support for LGBT rights. I don't think she gains more out of appealing to the LGBT community than she would if she just went the Katy Perry route of commercialized heterosexuality, female objectification, and avoidance of a substantive engagement in LGBT rights issues.

 

[exodus]

Didn't she admit recently that she has a cocaine habit?

Does that still make he a hero?

What does one have to do with the other? Is Ira Hayes not a hero because he was an alchoholic?

Ira Hayes doesn't have a pre-teen or teenage fan club.
How do you even compare a soldier of war to a musical pop star?

I would think hundreds of parents would take issue with their kids admiring someone with a admitted drug habit and referring to her as a hero. I would think that's easy to figure out without asking the question how does it relate.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Then again, in these days, are there any flawless role models?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Didn't she admit recently that she has a cocaine habit?

Does that still make he a hero?

What does one have to do with the other? Is Ira Hayes not a hero because he was an alchoholic?

Ira Hayes doesn't have a pre-teen or teenage fan club.
How do you even compare a soldier of war to a musical pop star?

I would think hundreds of parents would take issue with their kids admiring someone with a admitted drug habit and referring to her as a hero. I would think that's easy to figure out without asking the question how does it relate.

I didn't equate/compare the two. I asked do past, present or future "trangressions" somehow negate an act of heroism. If a self admitted drug addict saved the lives of several people, are they not a hero? Does one cancel out the other?

Then again, in these days, are there any flawless role models?

Were there ever?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Then again, in these days, are there any flawless role models?

There is one, yes. "My boss is a Jewish carpenter."