In the wake of the Tiger Woods’ affair (well, affairs) folks such as CNN personality Cafferty have been asking why people “throw it all away.” Naturally, he is talking about people like Tiger Woods. Woods was on the top of the world and raking in millions from endorsements. However, the revelation of his alleged affairs have brought the Tiger down. For example, his ads have quietly faded from TV. While he still has his millions (soon to be less, of course) he has taken a serious hit. Given the cost of his affairs, one wonders why he decided to act in that manner.
There are two easy and obvious answers. The first is that cheaters generally do not expect to be caught. In many cases they think that they are too smart to get caught. Obviously, this was not the case for Woods (or Spitzer or many others). This explanation is especially plausible in the case of celebrities-they tend to have rather healthy egos and this no doubt leads them to over estimate their abilities.
The second is that people tend to let strong emotions (such as lust) interfere with their better judgment. This applies to everyone, not just famous folks.
Of course, there are other possibilities. Famous folks are often accustomed to having things their way and also used to not being held as accountable as normal folks. To use an obvious example, celebrity drug addicts go to rehab, while normal folks usually go to jail. Given the sort of star treatment that stars receive, it is hardly shocking when they seem to think they will get away with misdeeds.
Another possibility is that some people seem to have a need for whatever it is that such affairs offer. It might be the sex, the lure of doing wrong, or even an emotional need. Just as drug addicts will give up so much for their drugs, affair addicts will also give up the greater good for their affairs.
Of course, even celebrities get brought low by their affairs. For example, Spitzer lost his position as Governor and Clinton ran into all sorts of trouble. But, a celebrity brought low often still flies far above the common herd: Clinton is still wealthy, influential and well respected. Spitzer is still a celebrity of sorts. He has written for Newsweek and has been invited to speak at various events. So, the lesson seems to be that affairs will cost a celebrity, but that the fall is generally not all the way to the ground. So, while Woods will suffer from his misdeeds, he will still have millions and can still play golf. He will also suffer no shortage of women, should he desire more. Yes, he paid a high price. But, he is still vastly better off than the overwhelming majority of people (well, aside from the moral aspect).
Woods should have stuck to women who had as much to lose as he did as opposed to cocktail waitresses.
“stuck it to” 🙂
He should have gone the Spitzer route and gone with a pro.
But one woman who doesn’t claim to have slept with the golf pro is call girl Ashley Dupré, who made headlines last year as the prostitute New York Governor Eliot Spitzer had been with as “Client #9.” And yet she has some very compelling things to say about those who have. In Friday’s New York Post, Ashley made clear that she’s appalled at the way Woods’ publicity-hungry concubines are selling their secrets to the tabloids. She lashed out at them for “taking money and gifts while seeing a high-powered celeb,” then “blabbing all about it in exchange for money.”
If you expect a married man’s mistress to have better manners or ethics than a prostitute, simply because her heart or libido are involved, think again. Those very elements—love and lust—do not always lead to classy, mature behavior. Having a businesslike agenda from the start seems cold, but it results in a warmer ending.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-12-06/call-girls-out-class-mistresses/
Well, it seems that Ms. Dupre has professional ethics. While she did have sex for money and did cash in on her fame, she did not sell out Spitzer to the tabloids. It is certainly interesting when a prostitute can head up towards to moral high ground.
Actually, he should have stuck to his wife. 🙂 But, failing that, your advice is sound. When doing misdeeds make sure that the others involved have at least as much to lose as you. Or kill them.
You mean Oprah Winfrey? That is the only woman I can think of with as much to lose.
As always… a sad world.
there was a really interesting article on a newspaper here which said women from Sweden could be the cause of transgressions, the reporter cited examples from the past. the link to the news is below.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091210/jsp/frontpage/story_11846210.jsp
now coming to the real thing, fact is, people will come up with all sorts of weird reasons now, to offer an ‘explanation’ of Tiger’s behaviour. But u’ve hit the nail on the head. no matter what happens to Tiger Woods now, he will still be a celeb, and far better off than the vast majority of commoners.
Swedish supermodels have been the downfall of many. Swedish meatballs take care of the rest. Damn you Sweden!
Crack addiction “psychologically reduces concentration, ambition, drive, and increases confusion and irritability, wreaking havoc on users’ professional and personal lives. Habitual use may lead to psychosis causing, paranoia, hallucinations, and a condition known as formication (sp)” Well, I guess it depends on the crack you’re addicted to. He won the US Open in 2008. Apparently during that time he was also smokin’ and I do mean smokin’ if these ladies are telling the truth. There’s crack and there’s cracks. Can we please get back to something more substantive like heterotropic ossification cause this stuff’s making my ears bleed.
Well, the tawdry aspects of the Woods affair(s) are lacking in substance. But, the situation does raise some substantive concerns and issues. The fact that Woods is infamous adds that extra appeal even though more mundane situations would serve the discussions as well.
I think he looks like an alien…….an alien impregnating our WOMEN!