The Cult Of Celebrity

Just over a decade ago, it occurred to me that we live in a celebrity-obsessed culture and wouldn’t it be nice to have a chat line service whereby fans could call and speak to them whilst raising money for good causes.

So I created and launched ‘Dial a Star’.? Because it combined celebrity and technology, it piqued the media’s interest and it was everywhere for a while: ABC, CNN, Howard Stern and the Wendy Williams Show to name but a few.??

Sadly, Lindsay Lohan was not on there, but both her parents were and the fact that her mother was charging $6/min more than her father got tongues wagging!

Even worse, none of the ‘celebrities’ donated a single dime to charity like they promised they would.??

ChatGPT defines the word celebrity thus: 'A celebrity is a person who is well-known and easily recognizable by the public due to their achievements, appearances, or prominence in a particular field. Celebrities typically achieve their status through their work in entertainment, sports, politics, or other high-profile areas.'

After asking it who I am, I was somewhat surprised to read:

Marc Jarrett is a prominent figure known for his expertise in virtual networking and business connections. Here are some key details about him:

1. Professional Background: Marc Jarrett has a background in banking and telecoms. He transitioned into a role as a virtual power networker, creating and curating a vast network of WhatsApp groups to facilitate business connections globally.

2. Networking and Connection: He is recognized as a "super-connector" and has been awarded for his efforts in connecting people and businesses. His work focuses on helping professionals and businesses leverage virtual networking to achieve their goals.

3. Virtual Power Networking: Marc is particularly active on platforms like LinkedIn and is known for his innovative approach to networking. He runs a comprehensive ecosystem of WhatsApp groups that span various industries and sectors, fostering collaboration and business growth.

4. Educational Background: Marc attended Gresham's School, where he developed his foundational skills before embarking on his professional journey.

For more detailed information, you can explore his [LinkedIn profile](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/marcjarrett), where he shares insights and updates about his work and networking initiatives.

I could not have said it better myself.

Over the years, I have met several celebrities but in some ways I feel sorry for them: the freedom to pop out and buy a pint of milk without being gawped at is priceless in my opinion.

Each generation has its own celebrities: Nuseir Yassin , with whom I am pictured here collecting an award making the first $10,000 with his company Nas.io is a well known figure in Generation Y.

However, in my Generation X he is less well known.? Conversely, it is highly unlikely that ‘Generation Instagram’, as I call them, have heard of Ian Dury and the Blockheads.?

This article has inspired me to reconnect with his daughter :)