Although my musical preferences are probably not fashionable in the modern sense of the word, I am not totally ignorant of the new and even the newest trends. Therefore, I know who Lady Gaga is and, recently, I have even taken the time to watch one of her videos. I want to show myself that I can walk with the times! Most of all, I want to show myself that I am not judgmental.

I, as everybody else — I guess — keep seeing her pictures all over the press and on TV, can’t help reading headlines concerning her performances and hearing about her extravagant clothes. So far so good. She is not the first megastar on the musical scene, and she won’t probably be the last one. They all try to astonish their fans, often shattering the wall of good taste.

The world needs idols to look up to, doesn’t it? In the past it was “heroes,” nowadays it’s pop singers. Times have changed and no one can deny the evidence. My question is, “What kind of heroes do we need today?” I don’t know what we “need,” but I can say what we “have.” And what we have is certainly not geniuses who change the world with their discoveries or inventions. Certainly not great artists who express beauty in their painting, sculpting, building or in creating music that can elate your spirit. Certainly not brave people who die for their ideals of freedom and justice. I am sure that such exceptional human beings presently exist but...who knows them?

When something “important” is achieved in any field of culture, all you may see is a short article in a newspaper or hear a couple of words on the TV news.

I don’t deny that some of the modern “heroes” sometimes campaign for a good cause, but I can’t help wondering: First, how much is their dedication sincere and how much is it for self-image enhancement? Second, is their “behavior” appropriate for the positive message they are trying to transmit?

These last decades seem to have been dominated by the entertainment world. The mind has become less focused, more distracted by too many stimuli and is now wandering from one news to another, to one video clip to the next, under the bombarding of infinite solicitations.

Nothing wrong in wanting to have fun, but the fact is that such kind of entertainment has become the center of interest for too many youngsters.

What about the message transmitted by the words of these songs and by the videos they are presented with? The visual effects are striking and it’s easy to understand why so many are mesmerized by them. I am doubtful about the righteousness of all this, though. You say that in the entertainment world the idea of “righteousness” is not taken into consideration? You are correct.

It seems it isn’t. The main (only?) aim is to attract fans, to sell tickets for the concerts, to sell CDs, to be paid for the downloading. As usual... just business!

You might say that some of these new heroes are involved in good causes and that is certainly commendable. I just wonder why they have to present, to portray themselves in such a “negative” (shocking, vulgar, often even repulsive) way in order to deliver their message, when they have a “positive” message to share. Does this mean that the modern generation is no longer attracted by beautiful creativity, does it mean that only through nakedness, rude images, harsh words, provocative dances and gross gestures is it possible to “positively” influence the young people?

In conclusion, does our world need Lady Gaga and her colleagues? Do they provide something useful to the betterment of mankind by the way they make a show of themselves? Is the example they provide not only by the “speeches” but also by their performances easily acceptable? You might say that not everything has to have a moral meaning, that life should be taken more lightly, without always thinking about serious stuff. And I would agree with you. Unless the fun implies dangerous elements that portray ideas, words, expressions, situations that are not only fun but which convey distorted images of what a sound lifestyle should be. Do you say that a lifestyle doesn’t have to be “sound” (not damaged or diseased), at least not all the time? And I ask you if you would affirm the same if “your own” child (of any age) was concerned.