I got to reading a lot of negative comments about Ree Drummond, a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman. Some of the blogs seemed civil enough while others were pure 'haters'. "Fake" was a word often used. From what I gather, it's because she using her 'alter ego' to sell a product. This got me to thinking. So what? I am an author and like 99.9% of authors out there, they have a pen name or alter ego, as well. To do what? Sell a product.
I have 2 pen names. I no longer use my real name. Heck, one of my pen names has her own Facebook page and people friend request 'her'. People know that this is me. I don't see Mrs. Drummond hiding behind The Pioneer Woman. We all know who she really is. I also use my pen name to sell my products--books. I use her for a certain genre. I give her her own personality and make her interesting enough for people to buy my books. So far, the book has gotten great reviews. Of course, the genre 'she' writes for is purely fiction. There is no way the characters in my book could ever exist. But, for a little while, I provide escapism for the reader.
Isn't Ree doing the same thing but in a different way? Television? She creates escapism for people who don't live a Ranch life or for people cramped up in a small city apartment, overlooking the concrete jungle. I'm sure you all know that a real pioneer woman had no electricity, fancy cars and clothes. We all know she doesn't live the Laura Ingalls Wilder life. What is so wrong with creating a persona to provide people with a way to forget, if just for a little while, that we were stressed out an hour ago?
What disturbs me is the blogs with the author actually breaking down the Drummond's finances; bloggers trying to find any little flaw in that family or digging deep for any hint of a scandal. Why let that consume you? Reading a couple of blogs didn't make me turn my nose at Ree but only made me think that this blogger was jealous, given they way their blog was written. I'm sure if I dug deep enough(or had someone do it for me), I could also find out what skeletons these bloggers are hiding; or break down their life and basically put them under a microscope, especially if I didn't like the subject of their blog. Then, of course, blog about it to the whole world, even though I don't know that person at all. I don't know of anyone without a flaw or a regret. Even if Ree is a fake or whatever, the fact that some bloggers decide to dig up the smallest speck of dirt on them doesn't make them any better. It makes you seem spiteful. Why waste your time on someone you don't like? Isn't life short enough already? Ree still makes her money. I don't think the Drummond's lose sleep over the fact you don't like them. Besides, the more you write about them, negative or not, the more exposure you give them. Controversy is the quickest way to get someone noticed. Some had never heard of Ree but thanks to negative blogs, you've enlightened them and even made some of them fans of her show. So, what did you really accomplish? More sales for the Drummond's. More power to them for their savvy business.
If you want to do away with fake people, you need to stop watching movies, gossip shows and purchasing books. Chances are almost 100% are fake. Just because someone is in entertainment doesn't give others the right to know everything about them. Yes, you buy their product. That's it. It doesn't make you their best friend. It doesn't mean that once you shelled out the $$, they should spill their guts to you. For instance, you are my waiter/waitress. I give you a huge tip. Do I deserve to dig into your personal life? Yes, the entertainers should be very appreciative of the fact you gave them your hard earned money. But, there is a line that shouldn't be crossed.
I don't know much about the Drummond's. I watch the FN show. I don't care what they're worth. I don't care if she married money or had money before she married Ladd. I don't care to know what goes on behind closed doors. I don't care if you don't like her recipes, hair color, clothes, voice, etc. Not liking everything about everybody is a given. No need to try and publicize your total contempt for that person. Pretty soon, you're feeding the fire and people start chiming in things that don't pertain to the subject. Such as: "Yeah, and I don't like the way she does her hair." "Why does she care about always making sure her food is Ladd approved?" "She set feminism way back." "Her husband looks like a douche." (okay, douche? Come on. You don't even know him.) Did you ever think he acts that way because he's not a camera person? Some people aren't comfortable in front of a camera. He does it, I imagine, for his wife. Just as Ree cooks food her husband would love. Who cares if he likes meat and potatoes? Why does it matter to you if he likes certain foods? Don't we all have foods we love and hate or wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole? I know I do. I think hot dogs are man's worst creation. I'm sure there are others that disagree. It doesn't make that person a douche or wrong in any way.
Sometimes, speculation can get you into a lot of trouble. Rumors start to change the farther down the gravevine they travel. People have been sued for less. Once it's in the computer, you'll never get it back. Blogging is great. It gives people a chance to share their opinions, their food, designs, what they love and hate. But when does it get to be a bad thing?
The internet is both a blessing and a curse. You can make friends all over the world, reach a larger group of consumers and do research at the touch of a button, right in your pj's. But anonymity also gives people a false courage; those brass balls you wouldn't have if you were face to face with that person--you know who you are. You can use a fake user name and avatar. Therefore, you feel you can bash people you don't agree with or like without fear of exposure. I take negative blogs with a grain of salt. Just because it's on the internet doesn't make it true(I'm just waiting for comments trying to state my blog is untrue). My blog is an opinion. I'm not stating facts about people and I'm not trying to expose anyone. Nor have I speculated on the Drummond's. Like I said earlier, I don't know them at all. Even if I did, I would still keep my trap shut.
With all the crap going on in the world, I'm surprised that people still flock to such trivial matters. It won't bring your life any meaning.
