Description |
xviii, 254 pages ; 24 cm |
Contents |
Introduction: Idol dreams -- Part I. The illusion of celebrity authority. Dieting, Gwyneth, and my cleanse -- Beauty tips from beautiful people -- Pamela Anderson's breasts -- Wired behavior -- Beauty and/or health? -- Part II. The illusion that you too can be a celebrity. Dreams of fame and fortune -- So you want to be a star? -- Celebrity dreams and cognitive biases -- Simon Cowell and social pressure -- Luck and ten thousand hours -- A lonely, health-destroying grind? -- Conclusion: The dream crusher? |
Summary |
"An exploration of the effect our celebrity-dominated culture has on our ideas of living the good life. Our perceptions of beauty, health, success, and happiness are framed by a popular culture that is increasingly disconnected from reality. This isn't just a hyperbolic assertion. Research tells us that our health decisions and goals are influenced by both celebrity culture and celebrity endorsements, that our children's ambitions are now overwhelmingly governed by the fantasy of fame, and that our ideals of beauty and success are mediated through a celebrity-dominated worldview. The celebrity brand is at once the most desired state of being (modern-day royalty!) and one of the most socially problematic. Health law and policy researcher Timothy Caulfield provides a fun look into the celebrity world, including interesting facts and anecdotes, as well as a boatload of practical and evidence-based advice on everything from diet, skin care, and colon cleanses to detoxing from our celebrity ambitions. Caulfield tries out for American Idol, has a professional makeover, and endures the Gwyneth Paltrow-endorsed cleanse in this thoroughly unique, engaging, and provocative book"-- Provided by publisher |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-244) and index |
Subject |
Quacks and quackery.
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Celebrities -- Health and hygiene.
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Communication in medicine.
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Disinformation.
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Health products.
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Popular culture.
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Quackery -- psychology.
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Health Communication.
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Health Promotion.
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Nutritional Requirements.
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LC no. |
2014041726 |
ISBN |
9780807057483 (hardback) |
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0807057487 (hardback) |
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9780807039700 (paperback) |
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0807039705 (paperback) |
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0807057495 |
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9780807057490 |
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