With the modern loss of traditional matrices of identity and norms of character, the quest to be famous has become a virtually universal obsession. As William Deresiewicz has observed, “The great contemporary terror is anonymity.” The connectivity and pseudo-intimacy of social media  invite the young (and not-so-young) to become energetic publicists and promoters of their personal “brand,” creating even more confusion about identity while feeding shameless vanity. Ken Myers will offer a survey of the ecosystem of celebrity and some alternative practices to nurture a more authentic perception of identity.