How many demigods can a world endure before it collapses from a lack of empathy and compassion and why is the attention hunger and a quality of coexistence are at odds. A docu-movie on Netflix entitled "The American Meme" is the occasion for writing a reflection or with a more pretentious word, essay.

1. THE UNBEARABLE EMPTINESS OF BEING
The title of this reflection is loosely based on the title of the book “The unbearable lightness of existence” by Milan
Kundera and the later filmed “The unbearable lightness of being” by Philip Kaufman. A philosophical novel high-
lighting various perspectives on issues such as chance and predestination, politics, art, love, sex, kitsch and, of
course, the lightness of existence. You could call Kundera an existentialist without hope. Some call him a postmo-
dernist. I thought his title, with a slight modification, was a fitting one.
A docu-movie on Netflix titled “The American Meme” prompted the writing of this piece.
Meme myself and I
“The American Meme delves into the shallows of modern celebrity, influencers and media personas. It shows emptiness and
an unexpected sadness. Their lives consist of feeding a beast that pumps up their fame and sucks their souls dry.”(New Yor-
ker). “A fascinating look into the curious appeal and lives of social media superstars and reality celebrities.”(Irish Times)
Last weekend (Saturday 02-03-2023) I watched this documentary that allowed us a glimpse into the lives of influencers
Paris Hilton(17million followers-estimated assets $4.5 billion), Emily Ratajkowski,(30.2million followers-estimated assets $8
million), DJ Khaled (38 million followers-estimated assets between $10million and $50million), Josh Ostrovsky A. K.A. Fat
Jewish(10.6million followers-estimated assets claim $80million) and Kirill Bichutsky A.K.A. Slut Whisperer (1 million follo-
wers-estimated assets $10million). This was a look into an infinitely glaring void. We couldn’t bring ourselves to watch it all
the way through.

2. The gospel of shameless ego-ism
What kind of people they are? slick, likable, shameless, over the top and kind of ordinary with no specific talents or it must
be the ability to be self-glorifying. They are full of themselves and have a huge fan base that closely follows, adores and
copies everything they do. They have become a brand, but that brand is an empty shell around empty talk. The wealth they
have gained (apart from Paris Hilton) has been gained by selling themselves for commerce. Behind these people are all
commercial parties who are picking up grains from the huge reach they have. They are false prophets preaching the gospel
of shameless selfishness.
Applause junkies
A previous project (RE)CLAMED ARTSPACE and my short film Dedicated Follower were already an expression of deep dis-
gust and concern for the applause junkies we all risk becoming. I worry about the influence of these false prophets on huge
groups of people. Influencers who propagate luxury lifestyles, serf-centeredness, mediocrity, greed, hedonism, intemperan-
ce, aggression and even misogyny (Andrew Tate 4.7 million followers, estimated net worth $20million) and bigotry (Donald
Trump 24 million followers, net worth $2.6billion) or at their harmless best incite unbridled appetite for buying and insecurity,
cannot be seen as a harmless side effect. They have such a wide reach that the ideas and lifestyles they display influence
how we (want to) look (Kim Kardashian 364 million followers, wealth $1.7 billion), what we pursue, what we consider normal,
and what we do and don’t do.
One’s ego as the flywheel to make one’s “meaningless” existence seem golden, around which is carefully woven a cult that
is fragile as glass, and indeed that ego is a voracious beast with an unquenchable appetite….
Why attention hunger and a quality of coexistence are at odds.
A cynical listing of all the major existentialist problems present worldwide today gives clear signals. Instead of focusing on
our own ego, the accumulation of more material wealth and the associated use of far too many resources and energy, we
should be more concerned with the question as to what it takes to survive with so many people, on this small blue sphere,
in this infinitely – empty- universe. Not inflating ourselves but rather making ourselves a little smaller in order to have some-
thing of a pleasant endurable future. Asking ourselves what we could or should do to not further deplete our soil, to stop the
inequality that has arisen, to preserve biodiversity, how to feed all mouths and so on. Elementary questions. We should also
ask ourselves what ethical action actually means, without being laughed at by someone of 16 who thinks he earns 20k a
month with vague affairs and thus also thinks he is your superior and overclasses you with his overpriced clock and immo-
dest personality. No, that’s not cool.
Many jobs remain unfilled, while more and more young people and young adults hope to get rich quick by making a
breakthrough on socials or investing in bitcoins. Little commitment, much financial return, instant gratification. An ordinary
salary with responsibilities is not attractive in the face of all that tinsel.Tinsel which is often obtained with mediocrity anyway,
visually over the top, but mediocre.
Why put energy into something that is beyond the sight of others, that does not attract a daily portion of likes and admiration
when you could also be adored as a demigod? Why invest time and energy in knowledge and wisdom when you are only
admired for the outside anyway? Why seek your self when looking alike is the best guarantee of not being left out? Why
would you want to get wrinkles of thinking if you are admired for your smooth skin and not for your original ideas.
There is little to no mutuality in this (You Only Live Once) belief. Collectivity in this context is apparently something you save
for when you need others. But what if those others are just like you? Where are the hands at your bedside then, the safety
net if you fall?
How many demigods can a world endure before it collapses from a
lack of empathy and compassion?

3. Facebook celebrity and Tik Tok talent.
Talents have been discovered on social media platforms. Anyone can perform a dance, sing a song, tell a joke, and like me
(not on Facebook or Tik Tok, by the way) show my latest work. In watching yet another funny dance, challenge and sexy
selfie, a lot of brainpower and time is wasted nonetheless. Brainpower and time that could have been used for other more
important things. Brain power that could have been used to learn new things and find solutions.
This is where it goes sour for; the louder you scream, the bigger the sensation or (potential) scandal, the grosser, naughtier,
more bloated, more shameless, flatter, richer, more vulgar you are, the more attention you generate. Attention equals suc-
cess, so that’s surfing nicely in the waves of the algorithm.
Not everyone is equally brilliant, interesting or talented.
Life is not fair, there is difference in beauty, talent, wealth and opportunity and depends on where your cradle is. Where do
you rank on the social ladder? The truly “underprivileged” we don’t see, we don’t hear unless an interest group brings their
importance to the fore. One thing that is remarkable is that these times not only give everyone the opportunity to make so-
mething of themselves (which is good) but also provide a molder or better yet a feeder for far too big egos. As a matter of
fact, a big ego is rarely chic but should an Albert Einstein in his time have grown a little beside himself he would certainly
have been forgiven. A great mind is allowed but rarely has a big ego. A Mandela, a Ghandi and a Martin Luther King didn’t
quite do navel-gazing, they had things to do. Contrast that with a self-proclaimed wonder of the universe that never gets
saturated and is unfulfilled, that is an aggrieved ego on the path of war. It doesn’t want to hear no under any circumstances
and receive recognition that doesn’t keep pace with its accomplishments and won’t allow anything to get in its way. Way to
go!
The small mind with big presence
By a strange convention of social media, this human character is getting more and more space and thus far too influential.
Influence that, by the way, I don’t even really understand. What I do see is that it is causing a cultural shift in all levels of
society, a cultural shift from school to politics. The delusions of the day dictate the political agenda. Whimsical populist and
angry political characters (Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, Baudet, Orban, Milei) keep us in check. They play to the masses and
feed the negative underbelly because that is where most votes can be won. The false promises that will be unenforceable
are used by them as a lubricant. The fact that they are not going to fulfill this promise is of less importance to them becau-
se they live here and now and want validation now. Having a fine nose for the discontent of their constituents, they exploit it
with grand gestures….Behold the beginning of a dismantling of a healthy democracy.
I too have no idea how to get this little genie, with too much presence, back in the bottle hence the title.
#braincandy
Whether I would call The American Meme a recommended vie-
wing? Perhaps as a bullit you have to bite.
Marit Otto 2024