It has always been an obsession of the common person to admire, and even obsess over the hierarchy of society. 

This trend has taken a turn for the worse, and must be stopped before it’s too late.

Paparazzi have made big business out of photographing celebrities.

People magazine reportedly paid $11 million dollars for Brad and Angelina’s first baby photographs.

Forbes magazine reports Jennifer Lopez’s exclusive photographs of her twins raked $6 million dollars.

This type of money encourages paparazzi to take their pursuits to the next level.

According to the article “How paparazzi work,” by Robert Valdez, the word “paparazzi” originated from the Italian movie “La Dolce Vita.”

Paparazzo was the main character created in the likeness of famous Italian street photographer, Tazio Secchiarolli.

The movie’s director Frederico Fellini said Paparazzo reminded him of a buzzing insect “hovering, darting and stinging.”

I know the feeling.

It is impossible to shield from this phenomena because the Internet, television, magazines and newspapers are relentless.

Princess Diana’s death is one of the most mysterious, yet tragic deaths in history that occurred while in a high-speed chase with the paparazzi.

It is important to take notice that the paparazzi effects are not always so obvious.

For instance, Marilyn Monroe died from drug overdose in 1962, Anna Nicole Smith died of accidental drug overdose dead at age 39, and recently, Heath Ledger, only

28-years-old, also died of cardiac arrest from what appeared to be an accidental drug overdose.

We get so caught up in reveling in celebrities’ personal problems, but it is easy to forget that these are still real people and the problems they face are serious.

Could one possibly connect the pressure of the press with unexpected deaths?

According to the London news site “This is London,” a police spokesperson confirmed that prescription anxiety drugs Valium and Zoloft, as well as sleeping medication Ambien were found in the vicinity of Heath Ledger’s body.

This is the tale of a man that reached a breaking point; he closed himself up in a bedroom away from the prying eyes of society. 

This is a man who just wanted to live his life without constant pressure, but our obsession with celebrity’s most personal details made this impossible.

Our generation has created virtual paparazzi, which record your relationship status, favorite movies, hobbies, and even conversations with your friends.

It is called Facebook.

Earlier this year, Facebook began to show its true colors, according to “Facebook Gets Personal with Ad Targeting Plan,” a Wall Street Journal article by Vauhim Vara.

This article states Facebook, Inc. came out with a new advertising system providing markets with the information people willingly provide. 

Furthermore, advertisers would be able to target their ads towards consumers based on their “favorite activities and preferred music.”

It is time to gain back our freedom, but in order to do that we have to give celebrities back theirs.

It is time to stop reading celebrity gossip magazines, stop watching “Access Hollywood,” and stop prowling the Internet to find out what your favorite celebrity had for lunch.

Ryan Saunders, a junior business management major from High Point, is an intern news reporter.

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