As Fordham students, many of us are inspired by legendary and contemporary writers, artists and musicians, along with actors and dancers. Unfortunately, if I asked teenagers and young adults across the country who they admire most, the results would probably sound a lot more celebrity-centered.

When I say “celebrity,” I don’t refer to those who perfect their craft over a lifetime of dedication. I refer to those who use their fame just for the sake of being famous without contributing anything to society that is commendable and rightfully praised by today’s youth.

Many teens and young adults idolize Kim Kardashian, whose 72-day marriage received national attention, but what about Mohamed Bouazizi? He set himself on fire in Tunisia due to his frustration with the government, resulting in what might have been the catalyst for the Arab Awakening, and practically no one paid attention.

It’s okay to indulge in a little celebrity gossip every now and then, but disregarding everything else occurring in the world for something as insignificant as the name of Beyonce’s newborn child is not okay. The greater the limelight shines on these trivial celebrities and their even more trivial situations, the greater the false sense of superiority that is associated with them.

In an article on “New York Magazine’s” website titled “Stardom’s Changed. So Have Its Benefits. And Invoices,” writer Mark Harris discusses the alarming trend in giving the most mediocre public figures an undeserving extension to their 15 minutes of fame. He discusses historian and writer Daniel J. Boorstin’s 1961 book, “The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-events in America,” which introduced the concept of the “pseudo-event.”

The pseudo-event occurs when reproduction or simulation of an event becomes more important or “real” than the event itself. Many celebrities feel a false sense of superiority due to the pseudo-event. They haven’t proved themselves worthy of the praise they receive, yet in flaunting their expensive clothes at five-star restaurants, celebrities show they crave the attention.

However, there are more than a handful of social activists who put their lives on the line daily for a deserving cause. True artists and innovators exist whose intellectual capabilities and compassion result in products and services geared towards a more progressive society. There has to be a clear distinction between who is worth admiring and who is not.

First Lady Michelle Obama, for example, has held many fundraisers and events during this past year to raise awareness about the alarming obesity problem in our country, especially among the youth, and the struggles of families who have members serving in the armed forces. These are concrete issues faced by relatable everyday citizens and led by a powerful woman who has proven herself to be an admirable public figure.

Through hard work and ambition, First Lady Obama molded a successful career for herself and her desire to contribute positively to society through public service is highly commendable. This is the kind of person whose groundbreaking news I would rather be bombarded with on my media outlets.

Then there’s Justin Wedes, a Brooklyn high school teacher who was a primary force behind many of the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrations in Zucotti Park. Of course, being a high school teacher is not as glamorous as being Kim Kardashian, but organizing an act of public resistance in response to greed and corruption is far more newsworthy than a 72-day marriage and mediocre reality show.

Perhaps Lady Gaga falling on stage at her concert or M.I.A flipping the bird at the Superbowl are easy subjects to just laugh about and get over while sprawled out on your couch and munching on Doritos. I’m sure these topics are much more appealing and easier to digest than Occupy Wall Street, which to most is just “that protest where people like, camp out or something?” Despite the carefree nature of the nation’s most trivial issues, ground-breaking events like Occupy Wall Street deserve just as much attention, in fact even more.

Celebrities and politicians alike are branding and selling themselves to us. As a consumer society we easily buy into these images. To remove the notion of profit and superficiality from American culture would be asking for a utopian society, which is far from realistic at the moment. Teenagers and young adults need to make more conscious decisions in whom they choose to follow and mold their lifestyle choices after.

There is no need to block all of your favorite gossip blog pages from your computer or avoid E! and VH1, but do take a little time out of your day to acknowledge everyday heroes across the globe who are changing the world in unimaginable ways.