Oscar Pistorius. Who he?

[max_tranmere]

A predictable response from me, but why is THAT getting coverage? They had some guy on the news earlier who was at school with the two brothers. They seem to be covering every minuti detail of everything to do with this man and everything associated with his life.

[bamboo]

Is there anyone in South Africa that hasn't killed at least one person? !tongueincheek!

I'm just waiting for the fecking judge to hold his hands up.. !wink!

[number 6]

Surely ernie els wouldn't do such a thing!

[max_tranmere]

One of the most lawless places on earth. Even travelling on trains is dangerous, you apparently get thrown off if travelling in some areas. The anti car-jacking device, where you press a button and flames come out the sides to incinerate the car-jacker sounds cool. They should introduce such things in all countries. lol.

[Bob Singleton]

bamboo wrote:

> Is there anyone in South Africa that hasn't killed at least one
> person? !tongueincheek!
>
> I'm just waiting for the fecking judge to hold his hands up..
> !wink!
>


[lurl]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDk6ZeGNnU[/url]

[Bob Singleton]

Sorry, that should be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDk6ZeGNnU

[derrick76]

Is she the one in some vampire hunting moving or something 'so'?

Not really household name ...in this household.

I'll go do a Google search on her.

[max_tranmere]

What I was saying in earlier comments is that a person becomes a household name when what they do in their field is so big that it reaches out further than to just those interested in that field. For example, sport is on the back pages of newspapers, but if someone breaks numerous records or scores a hatrick in the world cup final that will get onto the front pages because it is such an achievement, often hasn't happened before, and so many millions of people are aware of this, that it warrants it. The same goes for actors who are in mega movies, as distinct from just big movies.

Jonny Wilkinson became a household name following what he did in the rugby world cup 10 years ago, many people outside of just those who follow rugby knew of it because the massive media coverage he got, which is justified if someone effectively wins the world cup for the team. I could ask anyone I know whether they have heard of Mick Jagger, even though none of them have ever bought a Rollings Stones record or seen one of their concerts. The answer from them all would be 'yes'.

In a nutshell I define a household as someone achieving such mega success in their field that the coverage goes much wider and for much longer than people who have just achieved big success in their area. If it has a cultural or nationalistic impact on a place or on the world then the coverage, in depth and duration, is much much more, it is justified in being so, so everyone both within and outside the contingent of people who follow that field will know who they are. Kate Winslet was a big actress prior to Titanic, she became a mega actress as a result of that film as it was the biggest movie ever. Hence why subsequently her marriage was front page news and reported on prime time news programmes etc.

So there you have it Derrick, my view on the distinction between a big name and a household name. One is big in the lives of the followers of that field, the other big in everyone's lives due to the cultural and often unique and original achievements of them, and the vastness of what they did. I thought I would explain it for you. Tell me what you think Derrick.

[derrick76]

Never heard of Johnny Wilkinson.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]What I was saying in earlier comments is that a person becomes a household name when what they do in their field is so big that it reaches out further than to just those interested in that field. For example, sport is on the back pages of newspapers, but if someone breaks numerous records or scores a hatrick in the world cup final that will get onto the front pages because it is such an achievement, often hasn't happened before, and so many millions of people are aware of this, that it warrants it. The same goes for actors who are in mega movies, as distinct from just big movies. [/quote]

Records broken? Achievements that have never been done before? When was the last time you saw someone in an Olympic semi-final running event with no fucking legs you gormless, idiotic wank-stain? To wheedle out of this little hole you've dug for yourself, you've somehow started to mention stuff that cast doubt on your own views yet you probably don't realise it. How the fuck has someone like you managed to live this long without succumbing to some horrific injury, all of their own making?

Again, Pistorius' record as an athlete (which you chose to ignore but now think is relevant when assessing the fame of other sports stars):

-----------------------------------------------------

Medal record:

Alan Oliveira

Silver - Beijing 2008
Gold - London 2012

Oscar Pistorias

Bronze - Athens 2004
Gold - Athens 2004
Gold - Beijing 2008
Gold - Beijing 2008
Gold - Beijing 2008
Silver - London 2012
Gold - London 2012

1st - Italy 2011 *
16th - London 2012*
Silver - Benin -2012*
Silver - South Africa 2007*
Silver - South Korea 2011*
Silver - Benin 2012*

* able-bodied events.

----------------------------------------------------

I'm beginning to think that just survival, for you, is a bigger accomplishment than anything Pistorius or Ali achieved.