“Why do people always have big dreams? Why do we want to be like that celebrity we see on the news, or the person we hear singing on the radio? Why has fame been set up to be such a good thing that everyone wants to have?”

I stir, realizing that my professor wants us to answer.

I raise my hand. “I think that it’s because we see these famous people on social media everyday, and we can see how much money they have made, and it gives us the idea that the famous way of living could be good.”

Professor Evans nods. “Yes, that’s a solid point, but not what I’m looking for.”

Tyler Hsu raises his hand. “I think that it’s because people want to feel known, like they belong. If they have a big following, there are people out there, who, essentially, want to know how you are doing.”

Professor Evans nods. “Elaborate.” He says.

“Uh, I guess it’s also a structure for some people. If they don’t have somebody supporting them, and cheering them on, they might want to be well-known, so their fans can, I don’t know, be their surrogate for a parent?” Tyler pushes his glasses up his nose.

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Professor Evans nods again. “Very good.” He says. He walks up to the big board at the front of the room. “People want to be famous. Why? Because they need support. Examples?”

I raise my hand. “When a kid looks at their parents when they do something. Like, for encouragement.”

“Yes,” Evans says. He writes, Kids & Parents. “Anything else?”

Audrey, one of my friends from high school, calls out, “A student teacher relationship.”

Evans writes that on the board as well.

“So,” He says. “What can we take away from this?”

Tyler raises his hand. “People want to be well known, but they are hesitant, because they also want to make sure that they’re doing everything correctly. They don’t want to be fully out there without knowing what the outcome is, and other people supporting them sort of fills the uncertainty.”

Professor Evans nods. “Correct.”