James Franco Instagram Controversy

I'm sure everyone has heard of this. But if not, in short apparently a 17 year old fan met James Franco at a showing of his play "Of Mice And Men". She took an instagram video and he told her to tag him in it. Later they got to private chatting on instagram (you can do that?!) and eventually texting. He was going to get a hotel room and wanted her to go there. Basically he was supposedly trying to hook up with a 17 year old. He's like 35, but either way, she's 17. And that's weird. And illegal. (Even though some people say consent is 17 in NY, idk..still weird) Ps she didn't go through with it, instead just "leaked" the conversation. I can't imagine a young girl saying no to James Franco, though. That alone makes it seem unlikely.

Some people are saying it's a publicity stunt for his new movie "Palo Alto", which is about an older coach (him) having a relationship with a high schooler. If it is, that is messed up publicity. Too far for my tastes. Not something to joke about. If not, I'm surprised he would be so blatant about it. He is a smart guy. To be having a conversation sending pics and even personalized pics seems weird to me. He has been known to go after younger girls, so there's that. Also, he's a guy and however much it disgusts me, this is kind of typical for most guys. (Even though every time a celeb guy gets caught in something like this, I lose even more respect for the male species.) I'm unsure of the truth of it, and he isn't doing much to dispel the rumor.

Here is an interesting article discussing it: http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/james-franco-lucy-clode-palo-alto/

Thoughts?

SOCIETY IS EFFED

I can and probably will make multiple posts about society and societal expectations, but I thought I would start with this one. It has come to my attention fairly recently how messed up society is. The expectations forced upon us and the media influence is disturbing. It's like I had the proverbial wool pulled over my eyes for years. I feel like everybody needs to critically examine things, but I wouldn't have if I didn't really start to pay attention and open myself up to different things. And thankfully, the media did play a good role for once in that discovery. Maybe not mainstream media, but my youtube obsession has proved worthy in this case.

First of all, we have some wonderfully funny AND insightful comics. (ALSO, don't judge the videos on my descriptions. I'm so bad at describing things. Just give them a click, super worth it!)

JON LAJOIE

• This song, entitled "Pop Song", is a fake boy band that shows the stereotypical roles boy band members fit into and makes me feel like a fool for not realizing sooner everything is staged. Everything is about money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijr4rwb2WbE

• This short song, "Miley, you're a good girl" shows how Miley Cyrus (although I'm not a fan of the image she gives herself) is literally no different than any other star out there and how the public reacts to her

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2zbxM4EehE

BO BURNHAM

• "Repeat Stuff" is also about boy bands and how the media is set up. It really makes you think and feel so dumb for ever buying into it. (Aaron Carter really didn't love me?!) One deep line:

"I'm in magazines full of model teens, so far above you

                        So read them and hate yourself, and pay me to tell you I love you"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCVGpvzcHko

• "From God's Perspective" is a little different, not specifically looking at society, but more religion. While I don't personally buy into any religion, it offers a unique perspective, that "maybe God does not believe in you"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxc20saM8DA

All of these really made me think. We don't have the control over our lives we think we do. Everyday without being specifically told, we are guided to certain beliefs. Marketing teams work to make us want things and strive for ideals without even realizing it. It's disgusting to me the way we are manipulated without even realizing it. Judging others based on if they don't fit the societal standard set for us is so horrible. I'm ashamed I ever bought into magazine ads and commercials idolizing certain traits. It starts so young too. Advertisements are everywhere, with many being geared towards children. Stars are all airbrushed to look perfect at all times, and in reality, real people don't usually look like that. But that's what kids strive for. Skinny over healthy. Pretty over smart. It's a vicious cycle. Parents with self esteem issues passing it down to their kids. No one ever being happy with themselves. When we're all SO much more than our weight, our skin, our hair, etc. 

I wish something could be done, but I don't even know. Even if we teach our kids/kids close to us, it won't stop the majority of society from thinking the same way.