h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We discussed this topic in a recent law lesson.

I feel that everyone has a right to privacy. People like Hugh Grant, Britney Spears etc, those who are known through their profession, are just doing a job. It may not exactly be like stacking shelves at Tesco, or typing reports but it's a job, and a job that gives them mass recognition.

I feel that is unfair to exploit this mass recognition for a bunch of sleazy newspaper stories. It's none of our business what celebrities get up to in their spare time, just as it is none of their business what we get up to in our spare time.

The stories we see in the papers, the sex scandals, drug abuse etc, are just purile, mindless escapism that just distracts us from the issues that really count.

I think that the term "public's right to know" only applies to people in positions of responsibility, such as Prime Minister. If these people are acting irresponsible in a way that affects their ability to work and do their job, the public have a right to know.

I remember seeing a TV programme a short time ago about this topic. Someone said that people in America treat celebrities with much more respect than over here in 'ole Blighty. They feel that they have earned their lifestyle, whereas over here, we tend to knock the well-known more and by doing this, bring some of them back down to earth. It makes them feel more human.

Privacy is just a cover for peoples vulnerabilities.
No one has a 'right' ot it.
This topic overlaps with the 'Big brother state' talking point we had a week or two ago.

So you wouldn't mind if photographers tried to take photos of you while you're relaxing at home?

These people chose to go into their professions knowing very well that they were going to be watched all the time. Since they made the choice, I think that they shouldn't complain

Really? If you examine the history of a lot of (for example) popular bands, you'd see that they don't expect to be world famous when they start their careers.

As it's been pointed out, some people never intend to become famous and then they are. Some don't realize what's involved with where they're going. I believe it also has something to do with society. There was a time when people respected privacy more. JFK had affairs, as did Clinton, but Clinton got more coverage and there was more dirt about it. People were more willing to turn a blind eye and not see what was happening and the press did not dig to bring scandal forward.

Even if they don't intend to become famouse, by starting a band, they take the risk. Its absolutely clear that before they start there is a chance that they will become famouse and if they do they will have to deal with the lack of privacy that accompanies it. It's really sort of an occupational hazard, and they decide to take the risk

Nobody goes into showbusiness, or any high-profile occupation, knowing that they are going to be watched the whole time. They know that, if they become famous, they are liable to be approached or photographed when in public. Other than that, IMHO, they have the right to a private life. That is, what they do at home or in other non-public places is their business. The celebrities who forfeit that right are the ones who invite the likes of 'Hello' and 'OK' magazines to their weddings, into their homes, etc. The other exceptions are people whose position in society leads people to expect a certain standard of conduct, e.g., the Royal family, presidents and politicians, etc.

Personally, I don't give a tinker's cuss about the likes of Posh and Becks, and I would never waste my money on a newspaper or magazine just to get the latest about any celebrity. There are actors and musicians whose work I enjoy and admire, but I don't want to know what their house looks like, what they have for breakfast... I don't have a very high opinion of the people that *do* want to know that kind of thing. The journalists, rightly or wrongly, are pandering to a perceived 'need'.

look, the photographers would be kind of weird, but I could tolerate them (although I'd really like to know why they were watching my life).
The point is, although it takes some adjusting to, privacy is not vital.
Anyway, at some stage, we'll all be able to watch each oteher all the time anyway, and no-one will care about celebrities.

'Anyway, at some stage, we'll all be able to watch each oteher all the time anyway'

And you know that how?

"These people chose to go into their professions knowing very well that they were going to be watched all the time. Since they made the choice, I think that they shouldn't complain"

That is so, so easy to say when it's not you, isn't it?

Isn't it true though?

Not IMHO.

Because we're living in a higher and higher survillance society.