Celebrity: The state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed.

Every now and then, I reflect on who our society bestows the title of celebrity upon.  And when I do so, I am somewhat disappointed as I realize that we hold in highest regard people like the Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohans of the world.  I’m not an elitist, but I have a difficult time understanding why people with such little creativity or real impact on our lives receive so much of our attention.

What’s more troubling is that while these "celebrities" enjoy the spotlight, glamour, and economic benefits of their celebrity status, real genius often goes unrecognized or unrewarded.  Fortunately for us, every year, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation seeks out and recognizes the real geniuses who deserve to be considered celebrities in their own right through the MacArthur Fellows Program.  According to the Foundation:

The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.

The 2008 MacArthur Fellows have just been announced.  So, if you’re looking for some inspiration and real genius, check out the 25 newest MacArthur Fellows here.  Perhaps you’ll find someone there who truly deserves to be called a celebrity.

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