World renowned American swimmer Michael Fred Phelps was photographed smoking pot, otherwise known as marijuana, and had it splashed across one of the British tabloid newspapers. An acclaimed and accomplished sportsman caught doping? In today’s world, this is by no means incredulous. Other than Phelps himself, sportsmen and athletes like Diego Maradona and Marion Jones were cardinal sinners who found themselves under the doping scandal spotlight. What separates Phelps is his nature and how our society affirmed his status as the ‘golden boy’. Before this, our perception of him is an illustrious Olympic swimmer who spent his lifetime training, and then sweeping gold medals and shattering records, leaving us common folk in awe of this swimming phenomenon. In 2004, people forgave his foolish act of driving under the influence of alcohol but maybe because it happened in his home country, it ended briefly. A celebrated sportsman certainly has many endorsement deals and for Phelps it includes Subway, Kellogg’s, Speedo and Mazda just to highlight some. Recently Kellogg’s decided to discontinue the endorsement and I believe this has to show how influential perception can be. The general population has revised their perception of him and I believe to maintain their revenue in this wretched economy, they made this calculated move and even promised to remove Phelps’ face from their cereal boxes.
Perception is the process of selecting, organizing and interpreting information to give meaning. We have selected positive experiences and information we have of this man. Next, our cognitive schemata organize it as such it befits the image of a ‘golden boy’. Lastly our societal interpretation of a good natured, hard-working and driven swimming sensation is formed because of prominent individual characteristics.
Human perceptions are caused by personal constructs in the case of Michael Phelps. His ‘golden boy’ image arose because of perception and it leads me to think that it is largely because of his restrained lifestyle before this. This so called fracas emerged because of our bias and first impression of him. If it were some delinquent that had smoked pot, I do not think that would have affected us. This distinguished athlete had paid a massive price for his error thanks to perception.
well..i think what has caused him to smoke pot is not only his restrained lifestyle before this, but also his surroundings. It is to be noted that he was caught smoking when there was a party, not when he is in training. this is enough to prove the fact that his surroundings affect his decision.
ReplyDeleteI for one am not affected by this 'outrage'.
ReplyDeleteTrue, his possibly-greatest-athlete-of-our-lifetime-and-perhaps-the-next-too is doing something frowned by most in the public, however, it is legal in certain regions and its a mean of relief. One cannot deny that other individuals have various eccentric and unorthodox methods to curb stress and the likes.
In fact i have to say i'm somewhat impressed with his capability to perform in the pool whilst getting high on land. 'Golden boy', as some label him, isn't an anti-bong ambassador or had won over the public's (world's hearts) by having excellent conduct. And as u have stated this isn't his with run with the law. (drunk driving) The man is still the undisputed champion hairless monkey in his sport.
But of course, perception does affect others. Especially the illogical idealistic take-it-all-in views of children. Hence kellog's campaign has to come to a halt as their products are catered largely for them. Younger folks and the less read will come to idiotic conclusions that they too can do the same (get high and yet perform)
I would say all these bad press and 'HOO-HA' placed upon this superhuman are for the lesser of us to consume and criticize.
After all, its USA.
Live on Phelps, you're still God-like.
How's this for controversial? (:
To fs29, very true, Phelps was influenced by his surroundings and for some reason the culture he grew up in plays a part too. In the US of A, marijuana is considered illegal but it is somewhat a culture for teens to have tried it at least once in their lives, so besides the surroundings, culture too plays a part.
ReplyDeleteto zixing, without a doubt it is legal in some parts of the region and he did no wrong in reliving stress but he chose the wrong place to get high. You’re also right to say that he did not win the crowd over with his conduct; it is more of his medal sweeping, best lap timings that got the job done. Kellogg’s did so because of parents rather than children. I personally do not think children would care. Some point of time they may grow up and follow suit with or without this knowledge, but it is the duty of parents to inculcate the right values so on and so forth that Kellogg’s is more worried about.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know he smoked pot...But I guess the company's reaction is predicted-to take him off the endorsement as the product is popular amongst kids. Although they are being really practical about this issue, I guess this would be the right thing to do. Parents will worry that their kids will be somehow 'influenced' by his behaviour (out of sight, out of mind right?) and follow in his footsteps.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think its highly unlikely for the kids to smoke pot in the future just becuase of some sports star who does that and appears on their daily cereal. People should start to realise children act in the way like the people they spend time with and how they are being influenced.
So I believe that the reason the company took Michael Phelps off the campaign because of public relations reasons(remember the Edison Chen fiasco?), and isn't really about not 'polluting' cereal-eating children's minds.
its almost like kids in singapore smoke due to reasons such as peer pressure, think that it's cool and all other bull**** reasons. therefore i think that he could be under such influence as well ( nvm the age, anybody of any age group can get influence by their surroundings and their peers )
ReplyDeleteand yes i agree with your 'Kellogg’s did so because of parents rather than children' part. all the bad image thing. it's kinda weird as to why parents are so affected by an 'image'. it's not like marijuana was added to their cornflakes or anything. it's more of like ' cornflakes, phelps endorse cornflakes, phelps smokes pot, cornflakes not good '
time for them to stop perceiving and actually realise the truth that the cornflakes will still remain the same even though its 'endorser' is a drug user.
:)
To Olivia, I believe the main reason behind Kellogg’s actions is that they want to show the world that something is being done. What matters most are their sales and revenue and they would not want to be associated with any fiasco that might endanger their primary objectives of earning. Typical I would say.
ReplyDeleteTo Trist, well most people are unable to see it the way you want it to be and sadly this is why Kellogg’s made the decision. The world is as such and it can be also seen in Kobe Bryant’s rape case a few years back where major sponsors start pulling out of their deals and obviously there is nothing much that can be done to change the world’s views.
ReplyDeleteWell I guess one of the reasons was because of the fact that he was a celebrity. Celebrities are constantly under the scrutinizing eyes of the media which puts them under a lot of pressure hence making them succumb to the 'influence'. It was only the right thing to do when Kellogs erased him from their endorsements and advertisements. It is absolutely vital that a brand ambassador like him needs to be a role model 'cause ultimately he influences the mind of the youth.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this article. Good work!
to cynera
ReplyDeleteUp to that point of time, he has been handling pressure well. Athletes falling victim to drug abuse is becoming a common sight for all to behold, and what Kellogg’s had done epitomes a cold and cruel society.