In the past few days, we’ve had some amazing examples of petulance, bad manners and plain old arrogance.
Or
We’ve had some examples of real people, being passionate, opinionated and well….real.

Is the world going to hell in a hand basket?
Or
Have we witnessed a series of unrelated incidents – where the theory no hurt – no foul should be applied?

That sound you can hear is a dead horse being flogged…but we’re going to try and out a different spin on things.

Horse flogging first – here goes;

• Kanye decides to impart his (and quite a few other’s) wisdom and disagree with the VMA judges
• Lil’Mama felt the need to end the VMA show with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
• Serena disagrees with a Judge’s decision…just a little
• Roger Federer and Wayne Rooney have also been highlighted for outbursts on the job.
• UFC CEO Dana White, has even weighed in on one of his employees deciding to become the new B.A.Baracus
• Whitney and Oprah combine for a season opening/pre-album/heart to heart
  
  

So what’s going on?
Is it ok to do whatever you see fit (and even get Obama commenting) as long as you publicist makes sure you are on Leno’s new show the next night to give an Oscar award winning apology?

Or has it been some rebellious acts, some of them weird, others a little scary – but ultimately all real emotions displayed in a setting that we are not used to?

What is for sure is that all this activity has been a double edges sword.
For the broadcasters and media and the people concerned, it has provided coverage, viewers and hits.

But public opinion has more than likely been the reason behind the strategic apologies and public hand wringing.

But how did we get to this stage where we could actually be arguing about whether Kanye’s outburst is real or not.

In a recent article – LA Time’s Robin Abcarian calls it “a serious case of impulse control disorder.”

The article further argues; “we have shredded respect for every kind of institution, every kind of profession, and have indulged ourselves and our emotions at every level of society, from how kids treat their parents, how students treat their teachers and all the way up the line. So why wouldn’t it ultimately get onto the tennis courts”

Once upon a time it used to be shocking (Sex Pistols anyone?)

But now? There are significant voices who seem to be tired of people being rude and out of line.

Or as USA Today put it;
“Are we a nation of boors — or just keeping things real?”

But there are also those who feel as if the displays of emotion were a good thing, and that we are too used to holding our stars accountable for things that we probably do too!

And this where people are split -  half the people we speak to (and read about) see these types of incidents as rude and the other half argue that it’s rebelliousness – no one got hurt so where’s the problem?

The fact that we’re talking about the behaviour at all is interesting.

It means people care!

BANDIT