"Celebrities have always existed from promiscuous monarchs to Roman gladiators. In fact, when the Olympians returned home victorious, they used to take out a section of the city wall so the athletes wouldn’t have to pass through the same gate as mere mortals. These days however, fame is more easily obtained. Anyone with enough money and a lack of self-respect can become famous just by being famous. We’ve gone from Socrates to Snooki."