Privacy & Fame

The print version of today’s issue of USA Today asks it best: How much privacy does a public figure deserve?

Unfortunately, the online version doesn’t have such a nice, neat headline on its front page. Instead we get this:
Woods finds privacy elusive with ‘transgressions’ admission.

But the question is a good one. How much privacy does
a public figure deserve? Is the word “deserve” even the right word? Once one puts oneself in the public spotlight, has the door been opened to let that light shine on everything? If everything has its price, is loss of privacy the price of celebrity? Why do people even care who Tiger Woods sleeps with or fights with? The only thing that should matter is how he smacks a little ball around a field. (And I’m gobsmacked as my Crazy Brit friend would say that anyone finds that interesting enough to create a celebrity out someone who does it well.)

So speak up, people! Where have all my commenters gone lately?