In a 2011 study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), researchers found that fame was the top value for children ages 9 to 11. The desire for fame often peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. But the key issue is that fame is fleeting.
Surveys have shown that a notable percentage of people, especially young adults, admit to wanting fame. For instance, a survey conducted by Pew Research in 2010 revealed that about 51% of young people aged 18 to 25 said that being famous was among their top goals.
The rise of social media has also amplified the desire for fame. Many people see platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube as pathways to achieve fame. This can lead to an increase in the number of individuals who seek the spotlight.
In the age of AI, we still see thousands of able people who will make it. But there are plenty of them and: fame is fleeting.
In my article, I argue what fame was, is and why only Albert Einstein with Jesus Christ will remain.
Sic transit gloria mundi
“Sic transit gloria mundi,” meaning “Thus passes the glory of the world” is traditionally associated with the Roman concept of the fleeting nature of worldly glory.
A notable Roman emperor connected to this sentiment is Marcus Aurelius. He was a philosopher-emperor who often reflected on the transience of life and power in his writings. Although the exact phrase is not directly quoted from him, his thoughts in “Meditations” convey similar ideas about the impermanence of fame and success.
Additionally, “Sic transit gloria mundi” was used in various ceremonial contexts within the Roman Catholic Church, including during the coronation of a new pope. It it served as a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly power and glory.
You rule the world, making small necessary steps, then fading into oblivion
The good question is “what is oblivion”. Think about tens of the United States of America presidents. Literally, tons of books were written about them. And what? How many times a day do you think about James Monroe and John Tyler?
They made small or large political steps that have been altering our reality to these days. But where are they now?
And it is modern, fully recorded history. What about hundreds or thousands of years ago, these people were so influential and famous. Nobody cares now.
I am sorry, we must go or skip through the names in order to realize and see how fame is fleeting
Caracalla, who ruled as Roman emperor from 211 to 217 AD, is best known for the Constitutio Antoniniana. It extended Roman citizenship to all free men within the empire, and for commissioning the grand Baths of Caracalla. Despite these notable contributions, Caracalla is more often remembered for his brutal reign and the infamous murder of his brother Geta, rather than his positive achievements. This has led to a diminished presence in historical memory.
Aurelian was a Roman emperor who ruled from 270 to 275 AD. And is credited with reuniting the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century. His military campaigns against the Gallic Empire in the West and the Palmyrene Empire in the East earned him the title “Restorer of the World.” Despite these significant achievements, Aurelian is not widely remembered today. And is often overshadowed by more famous emperors like Augustus, Constantine, or Nero.
Diocletian, who ruled as Roman emperor from 284 to 305 AD, is known for his administrative reforms, including the establishment of the Tetrarchy and efforts to stabilize the empire’s economy. He also initiated the Great Persecution of Christians. Despite his profound impact on the Roman Empire’s structure, Diocletian is not as widely recognized today, with later figures like Constantine the Great overshadowing his legacy.
Nero’s alleged fire, fame is fleeting
Valentinian I reigned as Roman emperor from 364 to 375 AD. Known for his vigorous defense of the empire’s northern borders and his military campaigns against various barbarian tribes, Valentinian played a crucial role in maintaining stability in the Western Roman Empire during a time of increasing external threats. However, his name rarely surfaces in popular discussions of Roman history, overshadowed by more prominent figures.
Even Augustus, the first Roman emperor who established the Roman Empire after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Constantine the Great, who Christianized the Roman Empire, and Nero, infamous for his tyrannical reign and the Great Fire of Rome, have seen their fame diminish in the broader public consciousness. While they remain well-known in historical and academic contexts, the average person may only have a vague awareness of their significance, particularly when compared to the more enduring legacies of figures like Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great.
Athens
Alcibiades was a prominent Athenian statesman, orator, and general during the Peloponnesian War. His charisma, political acumen, and shifting allegiances between Athens, Sparta, and Persia made him a pivotal figure in the war’s outcome. However, Alcibiades’ controversial and complex legacy has contributed to his relative obscurity today. Especially if we compare it to other Greek figures like Pericles or Socrates.
Themistocles was a key Athenian leader whose strategic foresight in building up the Athenian navy led to the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC. While his contributions were crucial to securing Greek independence, Themistocles is not as well remembered today as other Greek leaders like Pericles or Alexander the Great.
Asia
Tamerlane (Timur) was a 14th-century conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in Central Asia. His military campaigns spread from Persia to India, making him one of the most feared leaders of his era. Despite his vast empire and influence on history, Tamerlane is not a household name today, particularly outside of Central Asia, with his legacy overshadowed by conquerors like Genghis Khan or Alexander the Great.
Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, became a ruler of Thrace, Asia Minor, and Macedonia after Alexander’s death. He was a key figure in the Wars of the Diadochi, the conflicts among Alexander’s successors for control of his vast empire. He had a significant role in this tumultuous period. But we largely forgot Lysimachus with his legacy eclipsed by other successors like Ptolemy and Seleucus.
Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who ruled from 1628 to 1658, is best known for commissioning the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world. Despite this iconic contribution, Shah Jahan himself is not as widely remembered, with his legacy often reduced to the Taj Mahal rather than his broader impact on the Mughal Empire and its architecture.
Japan and African history
Emperor Meiji of Japan, who reigned from 1867 to 1912, oversaw the transformation of Japan from a feudal society into a modern industrial state. The Meiji Restoration marked a profound shift in Japan’s history, yet Emperor Meiji’s personal fame has waned over time. Today, his legacy is often overshadowed by the broader historical narrative of Japan’s modernization and the leaders who followed him during World War II.
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (modern-day Angola) was a 17th-century ruler who fiercely resisted Portuguese colonization. Known for her diplomatic acumen and military strategy, Nzinga was a significant figure in African history. However, her fame has faded outside of African historical studies. And she is not widely recognized in global discussions of powerful female leaders.
Khosrow I, also known as Khosrow Anushirvan, was one of the greatest Sasanian emperors of Persia, ruling from 531 to 579 AD. His reign was marked by legal reforms, military successes, and the flourishing of culture and science. Despite his significant impact on Persian history, we don’t widely remember Khosrow I is not today, especially compared to later Islamic rulers or more famous Persian figures like Cyrus the Great.
Emperor Charles V ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 to 1556, overseeing vast territories across Europe and the Americas. He played a central role in the early Reformation and the wars of religion that followed. Despite his immense power and influence, Charles V’s name does not resonate strongly in modern times, particularly outside of European history circles, where his legacy is often overshadowed by the more familiar figures of Martin Luther, Henry VIII, or the Habsburg dynasty in general.
Inca Empire and Islamic Golden Age
Atahualpa, the last emperor of the Inca Empire, was a powerful leader who ruled over the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. His capture and execution by Spanish conquistadors marked the end of the Inca Empire. Atahualpa played a crucial role in one of history’s most dramatic encounters. And his fame is largely eclipsed by figures like Hernán Cortés or Francisco Pizarro, and he is not widely known outside of specific historical contexts.
Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph, ruled from 786 to 809 AD and presided over what is often considered the golden age of the Islamic Golden Age. His reign saw great cultural, scientific, and economic advancements. However, Harun al-Rashid’s personal fame has diminished over time, with his legacy more commonly associated with the legendary tales of “One Thousand and One Nights” than with the actual historical achievements of his reign.
These rulers once held immense power and influence in their respective regions and periods, but their recognition has faded over time. While they are still studied by historians and scholars, they do not hold the same place in popular consciousness as other more enduring historical figures.
Fame from an evolutionary biology standpoint
In the context of evolutionary biology, fame can be understood as a social phenomenon deeply rooted in the human need for social status and recognition. From an evolutionary perspective, social status and the accompanying recognition were crucial for survival and reproduction. Individuals who were well-known or admired within their group were more likely to receive support, resources, and protection from others. This elevated status often translated into better access to mates, higher chances of passing on one’s genes, and greater influence within the group.
We can link the desire for fame to the human brain’s reward system, which evolved to reinforce behaviors that increase social standing. In early human societies, being recognized for bravery, skill, or leadership could enhance an individual’s reputation, leading to increased cooperation from others and higher reproductive success. This social recognition likely triggered the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters This creates a sense of pleasure and reinforces the behavior that led to increased status.
In modern societies, fame has taken on new dimensions, but the underlying evolutionary drives remain the same. The mechanisms that once rewarded individuals for actions beneficial to their group’s survival now respond to the broader, often more abstract, forms of recognition in the media, arts, sports, or politics. Therefore, we can see the pursuit of fame as an extension of the ancient evolutionary drive to secure social status, influence, and ultimately, reproductive success, even though the contexts and methods have dramatically changed.
Fame from the sociological standpoint
From a sociological perspective, fame is a complex social phenomenon that reflects and reinforces societal values, norms, and power dynamics. It is shaped by media, social structures, and cultural trends. And it has significant implications for both individuals and society at large. The study of fame reveals much about the social fabric of culture and the ways in which power and influence are distributed within it.
The concept of fame is closely tied to the idea of social stratification. Sociologists view fame as a form of social capital that provides individuals with power, influence, and access to resources. Those who are famous often occupy a higher social status, which allows them to shape public opinion, set trends, and influence political and cultural agendas. This social power is not evenly distributed. It is often concentrated in the hands of those who align with the dominant cultural narratives or who can leverage mass media to their advantage.
What is the key?
We have innate and acquired intellect (IQ), talents (derived from IQ), creativity (ditto), and personality traits, broadly we can categorize them as dispositions. Social connections and contacts play a crucial role. But also a dumb luck.
Resilience, ambitiousness, country of origin. The crucial role is what kind of educational system you went through. The Chinese system is nothing than elitist, based solely on rote memory, with a strict and collectivistic style of teaching.
I was born in the Czech Republic, had a lot of mental stimuli, and went through the system where rote memorizing was prevalent. But I must take back my criticism that it was devoid of creativity (unlike Chinese). No, it had helped me a lot.
Notable figures like Eric X. Li and Peter Thiel have expressed concerns about how such an education system (Chinese) may limit innovation and suppress talent.
Fame is fleeting: All empires will eventually fall
All empires, no matter what time period, culture, or geopolitical position will eventually fall. I hope my readers are not proud Americans. But I can tell you that there will be an end to America. We may not live up to this, but it will happen. It same goes with Germany, France, Russia, China, and India.
Also, all cultures, religions, and memes have their time when it’s over. My native language will cease to exist or it won’t be mutually understandable with what I speak now.
So people are not excluded except my list of the chosen few below.
Science with unknown engineers
Historically, the landscape of scientific discovery and technological innovation was often dominated by individual visionaries who could single-handedly make groundbreaking advances. Figures like Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla achieved fame not just for their discoveries, but for their ability to conceptualize and implement transformative ideas. Their work often resulted from solitary or small-team efforts, driven by personal insight, intuition, and profound theoretical understanding. These pioneers were capable of pushing the boundaries of knowledge and technology because the scope of their fields was more manageable, and the tools available were relatively primitive. The impact of their contributions was both immediate and dramatic, and their names became synonymous with their innovations.
In contrast, the modern technological and scientific landscape has evolved into a highly collaborative and specialized domain. Today’s advancements often result from the cumulative efforts of large teams of engineers, scientists, and technicians, each bringing a specific skill set to the table. The complexity of contemporary challenges – ranging from advanced materials science to complex software systems – requires coordinated input from diverse disciplines. For instance, developing a new medical device or spacecraft involves not just a theoretical understanding of physics but also practical expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and software integration. This shift reflects the increased sophistication of technology and the interconnected nature of modern research, where a single individual’s contributions are less likely to revolutionize a field independently. Instead, innovation emerges from the synergy of many minds working in tandem.
So no fame, no fame is fleeting
AI robots with consciousness devoid of fame will prevail
I explained fame is something animalistic to its core. With the development of AI, people will be marginalized. Tens of thousands of football or soccer games, singers, actors, hosts, radio personalities, excellent scientists. No, fame had been fleeting.
People, if they even exist, will have little impact on the whole theatre game. And AI doesn’t need fame.
So who will endure the test of time?
Mohammed, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Einstein, Confucius, Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci and William Shakespeare. What?
Yes, my dear readers, this list is over. No Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, John Lennon, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, John von Neuman, Ludwig van Beethoven, The Beatles, Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, Stephen Hawking, Leonardo DiCaprio, Franklin D. Roosevelt. I cannot describe the pace how fame is fleeting.
They will and we will fall into oblivion and AI will be ruling everything.
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