Internet Celebrities are Normal People

I've realized that we're all just people. There is so much hype around certain people that are "internet famous" that we forget that it's just another person that had a pretty good idea. I'm guilty of getting caught up in that hype. If I met the founder of General Electric or the founder of zippers, I wouldn't be a fanboy and wouldn't go crazy. It would be cool but not a highlight of my week.

However, someone who started some website is looked at as a celebrity and we're amazed to meet them. I was at Justin Kan's birthday party last night with friends and Leah Culver of Pownce sat down across from me. We chatted it up for over an hour and talked about a wide range of topics. She was normal, down to Earth and we didn't talk tech at all. It was pretty cool and if I see her again at another party, I'll say hi and perhaps catch up a bit. It won't be a big deal and we might not be friends yet, we have met and I don' t have the same nervousness or worry that she's better than me.

What's better is that this has happened to me every time I go out. We end up with someone that founded a website or service that I love using on a daily basis yet we're just people hanging out and having fun. If I can give anyone advice, don't come to SF and expect to play fanboy. When you're here, and working in technology, you're one of us and you're welcome to be yourself. Don't be a creep or a fanboy and just have fun. It's a small community and the policy is pretty much open door for newcomers.

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No on is better than you, Adam, because they wrote a web application. On the internet, it's about striking while the iron is hot. If you can be the first one out there with an idea that catches the right eyes and ears, you're famous. Having a great idea first doesn't make someone better than another person. The tech "celebrity" myth only exists in San Francisco. Outside of the microcosm of the Bay Area, no one knows who these internet famous people are. And, no one cares.

Most famous people, internet or real world famous, don't want to be treated differently than other people. Many of my friends are in the entertainment business, and we have had conversations on several occasions about being famous (Not me. Them.). They don't understand why people put them on a pedestal for being on t.v. or for making a movie. Of course, some famous people are all about being treated like gods. Whatev...

In San Francisco, as with in Hollywood, I always say that Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, Judd Apatow, Kevin Rose, or whoever else, should be happy to see me and be thanking me. People like me have made them famous and pay for their multi-million dollar homes. Without me, a fan, who supports them financially, they would be nothing. On top of my financial support, when I like something, I evangelize it. That's free advertising for that person, that movie, that internet application, that generates more "love" for that thing. So, who should be excited and thankful to see who?

The funny thing is that in L.A., we don't give a crap who someone "thinks" they are. Brad Pitt waits in a line for his coffee like the rest of us. Neil Patrick Harris went to the Apple Store to buy his original iPhone and had to wait in a small line. I have seen Jon Favreau at the Apple Store standing around waiting for his name to come up in the queue for his appointment at the Genius Bar. Regular people doing regular things. These bigger named celebrities know they aren't special.

When you meet someone you admire anywhere, just be you. Don't freak out. These are people. Of course, not all internet famous people or Hollywood celebrities are full of themselves. Most are very down to earth and are super nice. I've seen some internet famous people, by the way, who will do things like cut in front of you in a long line of people to get what they want with no regards for the people they cut. How is that for a thank you? Seems more like some of these internet celebs feel entitled, like they ARE better. Don't perpetuate that myth by putting people unnecessarily on a pedestal. Treat ANYONE you meet with respect and how you want to be treated.

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