We Raced. We Found The Bottom.
Look in my eyes, what do you see?
The cult of personality.*
When the 21st century began the world changed. It changed because of two television shows, one that began in the year 2000 and another in 2001. These shows taught the public lessons that would only compact over time into irrevocable truth.
In July of 2000 Channel 4 launched Big Brother, the UK version of a Dutch TV show that began in 1999. Then in October 2001 ITV launched a show called Pop Idol that would morph into the X-Factor in the UK and spawn American Idol plus versions in almost very other country in the world.
These shows taught the public that it is important to be famous, and it doesn’t matter how you become famous, because that fame can earn you a lot of money. Whether you are talented or stupid, charming or villainous, you can get your 15 minutes and some, and you don’t even have to earn it.
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’m the cult of personality
Like Mussolini and Kennedy*
Andy Warhol cast the die in 1968 with one of the most infamous phrases of modern history.
“In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes”
Perhaps the die was cast far earlier with the advances of technology. It may have been Baird’s creation of the box (now screen) in the corner of every home, or Edison kinetoscope helping to birth the moving picture. Perhaps it was Edison once again with the phonograph giving us records, or maybe it was even Gutenberg with his printing press. The creation of mediums for the ordinary people to express their thoughts and ideas.
Creation of art and thought is indeed glorious, but the trappings that may come with this creation can be problematic. Even more so if the motivation of the masses becomes not to create and add to the lives of others but to gain said trappings.
Neon lights, a Nobel Prize
Then a mirror speaks, the reflection lies*
The pop culture movement was warning of just such a thing. That consumerism would eventually consume itself. The gestures of creation becoming more a matter of ego as we seek to create our own brand. Adding value is apparently not enough anymore.
The ambition and aspiration to be someone is not necessarily a bad thing. The motivation for this can be deeply honourable and the impact highly valuable. What are the ambitions and dreams of young footballers if not to be that someone and emulate their heroes?
The danger becomes the illusion that this can be achieved with a snap of the fingers.
Big Brother and Pop Idol did this. They appeared to remove the struggle and the idea of earning chances, grafting for opportunities, honing a craft. A narrative of “now” became pervasive, persuasive and perpetual.
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be*
The narrative became so powerful that the television networks could not resist. The public clamoured and demanded more so the monster was fed. Vacuous reality television collided with social media creating a storm that rips and tears into the fabric around us. The newest of media being used not to add value to the world but to add value to the self, creating a world where young children believe that being a YouTuber or Instagrammer is something to aspire to, perhaps even more than footballer, doctor, astronaut, or, that most needed and valuable of professions, a nurse.
And it should have been done yesterday.
We see it in coaching. Young players being driven towards premature professionalism. Clubs dragging them in earlier and earlier as the search for the next big thing becomes paramount, not even because the clubs are looking to promote their own talent, but just so someone else doesn’t get that player first. The race to the bottom. All the while, transfer fees escalate because the mentality across the board is now. There is no chance for a young player to strive and grow. They should be made, the X-Factor winner in central midfield, with the Big Brother winner on the wing.
I’m the smiling face on your T.V.
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you still you love me*
The death of patience has had further side effects. Concentration levels are at an all time low (and not just because of the events of 2020). Which makes the 2-3 minute format the go to for the majority, unless the attention has been grabbed within 20 seconds the game is over. The thoughtful and intelligent work drifts off into the background while the loud, bright, populist item is rewarded with being front and centre. Very likely with nothing of worth to really contribute other than 1 minute of WOW factor.
I tell you one and one makes three
I’m the cult of personality*
The irony is that as a coach I am looking for that WOW factor in young players. Looking to develop the WOW factor. The difference is that I do not do this because of populism or to create hits on a video. I look for this because it a is a valuable part of a long-term learning process. A process that I also hope develops people will values, who want more from the world than fast fixes and their 15 minutes of reality TV.
Twenty years of populist culture have brought us to this moment in 2020. A moment where two of the most powerful people on the planet are reality TV stars. In the case of Trump this is a literal truth, the exposure he received elevating his popularity to an electable level. Quality of experience, intelligence and wisdom completely overridden by the cult of personality. In Boris Johnson the UK has its own mirror. A man who became renowned for rugby tackling a small boy and a ridiculously poorly timed challenge on a former German international football during a charity match.
There is a reason that for thousands of years people had to earn their opportunities.
The virtue in the struggle puts wisdom in the soul.
There is nothing wrong with a desire to make a mark, to leave a legacy, but please let it be a legacy borne of adding value. Be that helping young people with their football skills and finding their spark, be that as a creator of art or be that the stoicism of nursing. Know that it will not happen immediately and nor should it.
Engage in the value of adding value.
Eschew the temptations of the cult of personality.
You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You gave me power in your own god’s name
I’m every person you need to be
Oh, I’m the cult of personality*
*= Cult of Personality by Living Color