John Christensen on Nostr: The Allure of Fame vs. the Power of Ideas I’ve often found myself scrolling through ...
The Allure of Fame vs. the Power of Ideas
I’ve often found myself scrolling through social media, whether it’s YouTube, Twitter, or some other platform, and feeling a pang of jealousy. Watching others bask in the glow of fame, with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of eyes on them, it’s hard not to want a piece of that. Their ideas are so well-articulated, their thoughts so thought-provoking, that part of me can’t help but wish I were in their shoes.
But then I take a step back and realize that craving fame is not the right motivation. Most of the people who achieve that level of recognition do so not because they chased popularity, but because they had something valuable to say. Their ideas, perspectives, and the way they connect with others are what draw people to them—not a desire to be famous.
It’s tempting to believe that gaining a following on social media is the ultimate goal. The allure of fame is powerful, and I can’t deny that it has its pull. But I also know that this isn’t something I should aspire to. The drive to create should come from the strength of the ideas themselves, not from a desire to be recognized.
This is something I struggle with. Even if I could come up with great ideas, strong arguments, and genuine thoughts and feelings on a topic, would I be able to remain consistent like those who have succeeded? The people who become known for their content are not only brilliant—they are also incredibly consistent in articulating their ideas. It’s a difficult journey, and if you’re not willing to recognize how much harder it is than it appears, you might want to reconsider.
Ultimately, I’m beginning to understand that the true reward lies in the strength of the ideas we share, not in the number of people who notice them. If I can focus on that, the rest will follow naturally, or perhaps not at all—and that’s okay too.
I’ve often found myself scrolling through social media, whether it’s YouTube, Twitter, or some other platform, and feeling a pang of jealousy. Watching others bask in the glow of fame, with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of eyes on them, it’s hard not to want a piece of that. Their ideas are so well-articulated, their thoughts so thought-provoking, that part of me can’t help but wish I were in their shoes.
But then I take a step back and realize that craving fame is not the right motivation. Most of the people who achieve that level of recognition do so not because they chased popularity, but because they had something valuable to say. Their ideas, perspectives, and the way they connect with others are what draw people to them—not a desire to be famous.
It’s tempting to believe that gaining a following on social media is the ultimate goal. The allure of fame is powerful, and I can’t deny that it has its pull. But I also know that this isn’t something I should aspire to. The drive to create should come from the strength of the ideas themselves, not from a desire to be recognized.
This is something I struggle with. Even if I could come up with great ideas, strong arguments, and genuine thoughts and feelings on a topic, would I be able to remain consistent like those who have succeeded? The people who become known for their content are not only brilliant—they are also incredibly consistent in articulating their ideas. It’s a difficult journey, and if you’re not willing to recognize how much harder it is than it appears, you might want to reconsider.
Ultimately, I’m beginning to understand that the true reward lies in the strength of the ideas we share, not in the number of people who notice them. If I can focus on that, the rest will follow naturally, or perhaps not at all—and that’s okay too.