The Fantasy of Fame

We live in a culture seemingly obsessed with celebrity. But whereas fame used to be a secondary product of success in a given field, now it is a goal in its own right and the key to wider success.  Artists as a result focus their attention on their social media persona and fame, rather than rely on their craft.  Not surprising that the current generation pursues individual fame, with 86% of young people aspiring to be influencers, with figures such as Kylie Jenner holding 228 Million Instagram followers.

Is our focus on celebrity and fame destroying culture?  Should we reclaim the value of the work over the individual, the ads and the social media followings? And is fame worth having in any case, and would we be better abandoning it as a goal?   Or should we see fame as a talent in itself and recognise the skill and savviness of 21st Century influencers?

Al Jazeera's royal correspondant Stefan Simanowitz, Grazia columnist Polly Vernon and award-winning author Will Storr take celebrity to trial.