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I think Britney Spears is this generation's watered-down equivalent to Jacko, Elvis, and Madge. I say watered down, because she had all the hysterical fans, posters, and sales figures - she just lacked any natural talent, unlike the musical forebearers mentioned above.
And just like Jacko....and even Elvis to some extent...Britney's fall from the big stage was brilliant and disastrous. Jacko turned white, denied having plastic surgery, got a chimp...and well, the thing with the boys and the Jesus Juice. Britney got a divorce, showed her hoo-ha to the world, and shaved her head.
She may fade into obscurity as her life circus fails to amaze and entertain any longer (I give her ten more years of real press, tops). But honestly, I thought the same thing was pretty much happening with Jacko, too. If it weren't for his molestation trial, he would be far from our minds right now - just a memory of a great time in the 80s and some kickin' music videos back in the day. And I think a large part of why he'll now go down is a legend is because - like Elvis - he died young. Before he could fade too much.
So who's next? I have no idea. But there will be a next. Every generation needs a flashy, trashy pop star to ogle and swoon over.
THE RULES FOR THE NEXT BIG POP STAR:
1. Must break at least some social mores and standards that parents want enforced (ie baring to much skin, snorting something vile, etc.), so that 11 year-olds will want to mimic them. And 16 year-olds will want to sleep with them.
2. Must be very eccentric. Peanut butter & banana sandwiches + sequined jumpsuits worked for The King. Cheetos, Red Bull, and butt cracks work for Britney. Madge adopts children and has Kabalah. The next pop star needs a gimmick for once they get big!
3. Must be able to dance in sexually provocative ways. Singing doesn't matter much anymore. That's what synthesizers are for, right? The important thing is to be able to dance, and throw in some pelvic gyrations (and ladies, some major cleavage and lower butt cheek flashes).
And that's it! The next big sensation should be rolling down the Disney assembly line any time now. I suspect he/she/they will emerge within the next 10 years. Be really big within 15.
I hope I can find earplugs and a blindfold by then, especially if Britney's any indication.
http://ns4w.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/britney_spears2.jpg
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The media and specifically the way that the general public consumes news is currently undergoing a revolution. Never before have we had so many different ways to receive and react to the people, places and things that influence our lives.
This decentralization will cause the general public to turn to refined, niche sources of information for their news. While everyone will hear about new pop sensations and continue to enjoy celebrity gossip, we'll do so as it relates to our individual choices of news outlets.
This will allow a larger number of new icons to be formed but none as singularly powerful as has emerged in the past.
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http://www.tvworthwatching.com/blog/nba%20lebron%20james%20dunk.jpg
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The definition of an icon: A cultural icon can be an image, a symbol, a logo, picture, name, face, person, or building or other image that is readily recognized, and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group. ...
Judging by this definition, an icon may be a future building, to shape the culture of a country. Or a world leader with great contrasting methods of diplomacy.
Every may list Madonna, or Michael Jackson as a great icon, but was Hitler also?
However ridiculous this assumption may sound, he WAS a readily recognised figure, and represented a unique concept of the Nazi party and the 'Aryan' race, significant to a wide cultural group. He fulfils all of these criteria.
So, in conclusion, there is no way that somebody can say who the next icon will be. The definition is so varied, that it could be a number of people, logos, symbols, faces, etc. etc.
All we can do is hope that our next generation icon is a great one.
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http://worlwide.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/justin-timberlake-jr07.jpg
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As far as kids in school now ... I think Lil' wayne is having alot of cross-over appeal and has plans on releasing a rock/rap album soon. Tiger Woods also fall into this generations list.
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I think it will be Barak Obama for the current generation. He's cool, he's eloquent, he's doing a lot for this country, he's the first African-American president. When it comes to basketball or anything else, c'mon... nothing but net.
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They aren't necessarily talked about on the news as much as maybe they should be, but we all can agree... Apple has a great line of products that are used everywhere we look!
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M$1
July 02, 2009 04:01 PM
Who will the "icon" be for this generation?
For our folks (and maybe some Mahaloans) Elvis was "THE" icon. For my generation, everyone I knew grew up listening to Michael Jackson. For a lot of girls in my generation, Madonna was an icon. Who do you think the next icon will be? Is there anyone who can match these guys status?
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| July 02, 2009 05:02 PM |
And just like Jacko....and even Elvis to some extent...Britney's fall from the big stage was brilliant and disastrous. Jacko turned white, denied having plastic surgery, got a chimp...and well, the thing with the boys and the Jesus Juice. Britney got a divorce, showed her hoo-ha to the world, and shaved her head.
She may fade into obscurity as her life circus fails to amaze and entertain any longer (I give her ten more years of real press, tops). But honestly, I thought the same thing was pretty much happening with Jacko, too. If it weren't for his molestation trial, he would be far from our minds right now - just a memory of a great time in the 80s and some kickin' music videos back in the day. And I think a large part of why he'll now go down is a legend is because - like Elvis - he died young. Before he could fade too much.
So who's next? I have no idea. But there will be a next. Every generation needs a flashy, trashy pop star to ogle and swoon over.
THE RULES FOR THE NEXT BIG POP STAR:
1. Must break at least some social mores and standards that parents want enforced (ie baring to much skin, snorting something vile, etc.), so that 11 year-olds will want to mimic them. And 16 year-olds will want to sleep with them.
2. Must be very eccentric. Peanut butter & banana sandwiches + sequined jumpsuits worked for The King. Cheetos, Red Bull, and butt cracks work for Britney. Madge adopts children and has Kabalah. The next pop star needs a gimmick for once they get big!
3. Must be able to dance in sexually provocative ways. Singing doesn't matter much anymore. That's what synthesizers are for, right? The important thing is to be able to dance, and throw in some pelvic gyrations (and ladies, some major cleavage and lower butt cheek flashes).
And that's it! The next big sensation should be rolling down the Disney assembly line any time now. I suspect he/she/they will emerge within the next 10 years. Be really big within 15.
I hope I can find earplugs and a blindfold by then, especially if Britney's any indication.
| Asker's Rating: |
• Brilliant and hilarious!
You rock (as usual) gno!
Good work!
You rock (as usual) gno!
Good work!
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Other Answers (16)
July 02, 2009 04:40 PM
I don't think that there will be another icon as powerful as The Beatles, Elvis or even MJ. The media and specifically the way that the general public consumes news is currently undergoing a revolution. Never before have we had so many different ways to receive and react to the people, places and things that influence our lives.
This decentralization will cause the general public to turn to refined, niche sources of information for their news. While everyone will hear about new pop sensations and continue to enjoy celebrity gossip, we'll do so as it relates to our individual choices of news outlets.
This will allow a larger number of new icons to be formed but none as singularly powerful as has emerged in the past.
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July 02, 2009 05:07 PM
I disagree. I think it's just a matter of waiting for the pop atmosphere to be just right for the perfect pop storm to form again.
I believe the new media outlets and means of consumption create the potential for even BIGGER mega stars! There are more avenues of exposure and advertising with which to reach impressionable young fans.
Plus, I sadly chuckled to myself that I think you give the public too much credit if you think they really will turn to mostly niche sources. Us bleating sheep, we don't really like change. We can pretend for a little while, but we come back to the same old trough at the end of the day. ;)
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I believe the new media outlets and means of consumption create the potential for even BIGGER mega stars! There are more avenues of exposure and advertising with which to reach impressionable young fans.
Plus, I sadly chuckled to myself that I think you give the public too much credit if you think they really will turn to mostly niche sources. Us bleating sheep, we don't really like change. We can pretend for a little while, but we come back to the same old trough at the end of the day. ;)
July 02, 2009 05:13 PM
This defiantly is looking into the crystal ball quite a way down the path... but I maintain that as news continues to become decentralized that people will turn to sources that present the news that is most useful for them.
While there certainly will be a superset of "worldwide" news, this news will be consumed in relation to the niche news that is presented. This gives the opportunity for more icons, but dilutes the overall influence of a single one.
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While there certainly will be a superset of "worldwide" news, this news will be consumed in relation to the niche news that is presented. This gives the opportunity for more icons, but dilutes the overall influence of a single one.
July 03, 2009 04:25 AM
I think you are stuck on your own generation. Remember Bing Crosby? Better yet, what about Jenny Lind. When she arrived in New York City 40,000 people were there to greet her. Given the relative size of the population in 1850 and today, that would be like more than 400,000 people today! She was the icon and idol of the 1850's at least as much as any modern star, and the media was completely different.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Jenny_Lind_retouched.jpg/410px-Jenny_Lind_retouched.jpg
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July 03, 2009 02:54 PM
The underlying question here is, "are icons born from talent or marketing".
Today, I think it's the latter and that stars such as Spears, Cyrus, etc back that up.
So if media creates icons and media is changing then, "what will media look like in the future".
I think that the news someone "subscribes to" or consumes will come from various sources that the individual has tailored to their own specific interests, goals, likes and dislikes.
Then, as a result of this fact and this assumption... I conclude that since the number of media portals is increasing and since each portal will promote celebrities to icon status for their own individual gain that the number of icons will increase. This increase will dilute the "pool" of icons and take the focus away from a single person such as The Beatles, Elvis, or MJ.
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Today, I think it's the latter and that stars such as Spears, Cyrus, etc back that up.
So if media creates icons and media is changing then, "what will media look like in the future".
I think that the news someone "subscribes to" or consumes will come from various sources that the individual has tailored to their own specific interests, goals, likes and dislikes.
Then, as a result of this fact and this assumption... I conclude that since the number of media portals is increasing and since each portal will promote celebrities to icon status for their own individual gain that the number of icons will increase. This increase will dilute the "pool" of icons and take the focus away from a single person such as The Beatles, Elvis, or MJ.
July 02, 2009 04:53 PM
Pop music has continued to degenerate generation after generation. The next idol will probably be someone whose vocabulary consists of a single expletive, and he/she will chant that over and over with a backing of miscellaneous canned percussion loops.
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July 02, 2009 05:05 PM
I think Lebron James. I have a feeling in the next 5 years hes going to be the biggest name in the world. Permalink | Report
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July 02, 2009 05:11 PM
Never heard of him. Sports players don't become icons anymore, there are too many of them. Especially basketball.
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July 02, 2009 06:06 PM
Fantastic point and you are correct - I never said music star!
I would have never thought to go there, however you do make a strong point.
Interesting...
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I would have never thought to go there, however you do make a strong point.
Interesting...
July 02, 2009 09:53 PM
I've been thinking about this all day...
I love where your head is at, and I'd like to counter with Tiger Woods...
WHAT SAY YOU MAN?!!
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I love where your head is at, and I'd like to counter with Tiger Woods...
WHAT SAY YOU MAN?!!
July 02, 2009 11:12 PM
Ive been thinking about it to and from what i read he is more popular and well known then Lebron
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July 02, 2009 09:21 PM
Impressive.... I like where you're head is at. I can absolutely see that.
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July 02, 2009 09:26 PM
Barack Obama has to be the icon of this generation. Helpful Answer?
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July 02, 2009 09:45 PM
I don't think there is yet to be another icon to match the talents of Madonna, Elvis and the late Michael Jackson. Icons are born normal people, like everbody else. They create their iconic status through the use of their own unique skills. It is unlikely that 30 years ago, we would've predicted that Michael Jackson would go on to become the biggest selling artist of all-time. Well...maybe some people did, but not all. The definition of an icon: A cultural icon can be an image, a symbol, a logo, picture, name, face, person, or building or other image that is readily recognized, and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group. ...
Judging by this definition, an icon may be a future building, to shape the culture of a country. Or a world leader with great contrasting methods of diplomacy.
Every may list Madonna, or Michael Jackson as a great icon, but was Hitler also?
However ridiculous this assumption may sound, he WAS a readily recognised figure, and represented a unique concept of the Nazi party and the 'Aryan' race, significant to a wide cultural group. He fulfils all of these criteria.
So, in conclusion, there is no way that somebody can say who the next icon will be. The definition is so varied, that it could be a number of people, logos, symbols, faces, etc. etc.
All we can do is hope that our next generation icon is a great one.
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July 02, 2009 10:50 PM
I think Justin Timberlake has touched this generation more than any other artist. He's the top contender right now.
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July 03, 2009 12:03 AM
In politics President Obama. In sports, Tiger Woods or LeBron James or maybe Tom Brady. In music, I think that it will end up being Justin Timberlake, not just because of his music, but because of the publicity surrounding his girlfriends, his charities and his overall aura. He is iconic. Permalink | Report
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July 03, 2009 12:23 AM
Not sure who your talking about when you say "this generation" ... but for my generation (25-35; the first generation to grow up with home computers "Net Gen") the most influential & undisputed icons so far would be Gates & Jobs, Michael Jordan, Kurt Cobain, Tupac & Notorious B.I.G. As far as kids in school now ... I think Lil' wayne is having alot of cross-over appeal and has plans on releasing a rock/rap album soon. Tiger Woods also fall into this generations list.
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July 03, 2009 12:26 AM
I agree with everyone about Obama, Timberlake, James & Bryant. Not sure if Spears will have the lasting impact to be considered an incon tho
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July 03, 2009 03:08 PM
Generations usually have many icons, but I see your point. I think it will be Barak Obama for the current generation. He's cool, he's eloquent, he's doing a lot for this country, he's the first African-American president. When it comes to basketball or anything else, c'mon... nothing but net.
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July 03, 2009 05:20 PM
I think Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak are this generation's icons, though they are overlooked. Everywhere you look- someone has an iPod, at the very least. Most people pair their iPods with Macs and iPhones (like myself). Apple has become an almost "must." Apples stores are SWAMPED during the Christmas season, with all the parents who want to get their children an iPod. Most college students make the transition from a PC to a Mac before they leave to go to college, mainly for the "free iPod touch" that Apple offers. They aren't necessarily talked about on the news as much as maybe they should be, but we all can agree... Apple has a great line of products that are used everywhere we look!
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