It seems to me that it would be a real pain to be famous. Sure, there are a lot of perks to fame, but I think they’re outweighed by the negatives (such as lack of privacy). So, would you want to be famous? Why?
I think I could be famous for a while without any problem.
Most likely it would be as a singer, and they become un-famous soon enough it wouldn’t worry me.
I don’t think I’d want to be famous on the order of, say, Madonna. I wouldn’t want to forfeit my entire life (such as it is) and privacy forever. I relish my anonymity in public places. I would like to be respected for what I did, and perhaps admired by my peers, but I think that’s a different question.
I want to be a famous writer. This is very far removed from say, being famous.
Nope. At least not really famous. I wouldn’t want my freedom to walk around in public taken away. I wouldn’t want people sifting through my garbage. I wouldn’t want photographers outside of my home. I wouldn’t want my ex-boyfriends making a ton of money from the National Enquirer.
Low level fame would be okay. People would be really nice, you’d get good tables at restaurants, but you wouldn’t get any of the really bad stuff.
Ben Stein said that he was just famous enough to make life nice and comfortable, but not too famous.
What do you mean? I AM famous. I’m just not rich.
–Tim
A certain amount of fame is good for the ego. I’m “famous” within the world of science fiction*. But it’s no big deal, since writing SF is not likely to get you the massive fame that being a movie star entails. I doubt there’s any science fiction writer today who has that sort of fame (the two closest – Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury could easily go out in public without anyone recognizing them). Writers in general (other than Stephen King) aren’t noticed because their faces aren’t showin in all the media all the time.
I get a few minor perks – requests for autographs, free membership in SF conventions, occasional free books, free web hosting – but nothing major. And I find that when I’m feeling a bit low, it’s great to pick up The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction or Contemporary Authors and look up my entry. And, of course, I find ways to work it into every conversation I can. 
Would I want more fame? Yes. But I don’t think I’d be that interested to have everyone in the world know who I am.
*“In Poland, he’s world famous” – Carole Lombarde/Anne Bancroft in To Be or Not to Be.
RealityChuck -
That sounds like a nice, comfortable level of fame. Anonymity preserved, but during a conversation you can pull that fame out like a baby photo from your wallet. It’s also nice to hear people discuss your work in front of you without reservation.
If it won’t blow your cover, what books have you written?
I’d never want to be famous, for any reason. I don’t see the appeal of it at all.
Ah…so THAT’S who you are!
Brian Thompson says “hello.”
To respond to the OP…one of the reasons I live in New York City is the “gift of anonymity” it bestows. (Thanx and a tip of the hat to E.B. White.) And I’m a book editor, a profession which ALSO bestows the gift of anonymity.
“I’m a book editor, a profession which ALSO bestows the gift of anonymity.”
And you, in turn, bestow the gift of anonymity on all your writers.
—Eve [physically incapable of resisting a punchline]
Hey! I said I was an editor, not a publicist! S’not my yob, mon.
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!
I TRIED not to hit “submit reply,” but my worse nature got the better of me.
It would beat being notorious wouldn’t it?
I am pretty happy living in relative anonymity and feel uncomfortable when too much recognition gets put upon me for things I do.
I think I could deal with fame, when I become Dictator of Canada I guess I am going to have to adjust.