STATUS
Status is tricky.
STATUS, technically, is one’s position or rank in society. However, for a writer, it’s more complex than that. For us, there are two types:
INTERNAL STATUS, and EXTERNAL STATUS.
EXTERNAL STATUS is conferred by society, and this one takes two forms:
Firstly, there is status of position. If you are a movie star, or an award winning athlete, or a brain surgeon, society bestows a certain respect. These are people who have achieved public fame, renown for their humanitarian deeds, or are highly adept at some particular skill. We naturally give them this respect,UNLESS they somehow prove unworthy of that respect. An athlete who uses steroids or beats up his girlfriend, for instance.
Secondly, there is status proffered by others in society based on our personal interactions with them. We’ve all heard stories from a friend who got to know someone famous and found that they were somewhat less perfect than we imagined.
Of course, sometimes they turn out to be wonderful people. I have always been a fan of the SCTV comedy troupe. In my capacity as a storyboard artist, I once worked with the late John Candy. I found him humble and unassuming, even a little shy. He was very capable as director on the film, and highly respectful of everyone’s role in the production. Not to mention, of course, that he was also hilariously funny!
The point is, that the status we automatically confer on the famous and talented may be changed for better or worse from our personal interactions with them.
Non-famous people too, are judged both by what others sayabout them, and what we as individuals learn about them through direct contact. I think we’ve all heard nasty rumors about someone who turned out to be very nice, and vice-versa.
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