Make no mistake, the “college admissions scandal” (story) does NOT have “legs” because of the “college admissions scandal”-related issue, per se. This story receives press coverage because it involves ONE very attractive (hot!) female celebrity, & her fall from grace. And, the icing on the cake is she has a beautiful, maturing daughter that is potentially involved in malfeasance, as well.
If this story does not involve a popular celebrity the caliber of Lori Loughlin (mind you, the “other” female celebrity embroiled in this fiasco is insignificant to the gravity of “the story”), it would only briefly receive any public attention. Need proof? Try to name any individual(s) involved EXCEPT those whose nexus is to USC, or possesses a celebrity quotient. Need further proof, conduct a Google search specific to the “college admissions scandal”. What are the results? Furthermore, input the letters ‘Ol’ (for Olivia), and/or the letter, ‘L’ (for Lori) in a search. These individuals have quickly become so “important” that they have inundated the internet with myriad fodder. And it is because the bored, general public, relishes celebrity. They wallow in fascination at the spectacle; subliminally or hopefully wishing they too could be rich & famous. THAT is the REAL problem with society; much of it in the United States. The obsession of celebrity, & the quest for wealth, popularity, status, instant pleasure, instant, beautiful physical appearance, sex, you name it ad nauseam infinitum. There is virtually no desire, pardon the pun, to exist as an honest, authentic caring human being. No, that would require hard-work, or a modicum of genuineness.
What this world, especially the majority of Americans need, is a healthy dose of modesty & humbleness. In essence, what the majority of these vacuous homo sapiens require is serious, spiritual introspection, inspection, & repair. How these folks potentially intersect with this necessary level of therapy are numerous, however I firmly believe most of them have virtually “no hope” of reform. Indeed, they are lost souls.
The ONLY way for this mass of shallow, sentient beings to recover from their self-induced “societal mess” is to embrace the fact they are only significant to the Lord above, & loved ones in their immediate sphere. Outside that, humans should be wary of flattering/blathering platitudes & narcissism (though, most are unaware of this condition), & should frequently calibrate & re-calibrate truly important priorities. This is not an easy, simple fix that realizes itself via prurient interest & instant, self-gratification.
It will likely take many generations to slowly navigate this boat to different seas. However, it is ONLY possible if we nurture our very young children with wholesome values that put other people’s needs before themselves. Though I would define this as so-called “Christian values”, one can term it anyway they choose.
Children are like sponges, as the saying goes, & instilling, at regular & irregular intervals, a well-balanced dose of realism & non-self aggrandizement is necessary.