The podcast celebrity
Once, children had ambitions to be doctors, explorers, sportspeople, artists or scientists. Now, taking their lead from podcasts, they just want to be famous. Fame is no longer a reward for gallant service or great, perhaps even selfless endeavour. It is an end in (9) ________, and the sooner it can be achieved, the sooner the silent bedroom microphone can be replaced by the studio camera and sound desk, the (10) ________. Podcasting is the profession of the moment, a visible vocation which seems to exist largely (11) ________ that the rest of us might listen and be amazed as its members discuss their private lives in public, like self-regarding members of some endless audio drama. Today, almost (12) ________ can be famous. Never has fame (13) ________ more democratic, more ordinary, more achievable. (14) ________ wonder it is a modern ambition. Modern podcasting, peopled by (15) ________ largely vain and vacuous, fills a need in our lives. It fills live shows, sells tickets and subscriptions and rewards the hosts for, well, (16) ________ famous.