iamnotaparakeet wrote:
Is impersonating other people right or wrong? Does it depend upon whether the person who is being impersonated approves or disapproves? Is it acceptable to impersonate others against their will if you don't like them? Discuss.
I find this question to be bizarre.
What kind of 'impersonating' do you mean?
If you mean identity theft- well thats already against the law.
If you mean 'impersonating' on stage for artistic and entertainment purposes then the question is absurd.
How could you have hollywood dramas about public figures if actors couldnt 'impersonate' the famous?
Perhaps its comedic impersonating you object to.
Are you upset about Tina Fey impersonating Sarah Palin?
Or the other SNL castmembers doing Obama, Miley Cyrus, and Charlie Sheen?
We do have something called "free speech" in America.
What exactly are you talking about?
PS.
The law does make a distinction between the famous, and regular folks.
If someone mocked you on TV you might well be able to sue for slander in situations when Charlie Sheen would not be able to sue, because Sheen (like most celebs) is assumed to have strived his life for public attention and thus has less legal right to privacy than you ( a private person) would have. So yes, mocking a private person is morally worse than mocking a famous person in the eyes of the law. But I wouldnt worry about it. I dont think that you're in imminent danger of being impersonated by Rich Little on the tonight show.
I mean the same type of impersonation that had recently been done to me. Although the issue is now past as to the matter in relation to me, the same type of impersonation and attachment of statements which intend to cause deformation of character is still a live matter. I think that it is completely and entirely wrong on any level. Impersonation when the intent is to slander others and rile people against them or to harm relationships is wrong not only for individuals but also for nations. To spread lies intentionally seeking to harm is wrong no matter the size nor popularity of the target for invented reproach.
20 Apr 2011, 8:11 pm
