Celebrity culture – a new heroic age or just mindless pap?

Celebrities today are the equivalent of the Greek gods in the Classical Age. But are they a blessing or a curse? Is there a social obligation to worship them, or can we escape their influence altogether? Do they make a positive contribution to our world by acting as role models or does their very existence constitute an affront to reason, freedom and good taste? We will discuss these questions, as well as conceptions of fame and fandom. Come and hammer out the problems!

The speaker is Anja Steinbauer, editor of Philosophy Now and president of Philosophy For All.