I still think that people in the public spotlight have a responsibility to cut a better image than the rest of society. I want singers, movie stars, and professional athletes to walk a little straighter, and act with decency knowing that others are looking at them. Especially young and impressionable youth.
That goes for business people, too, who have at times a ‘rock star’ following. Such as Elon Musk.
Between the swigging of whiskey and the toking of pot there was little left to consider when it came to wondering if Musk cared about how others felt. It was clear he did not think much of himself, and even less-so about others.
When one has talent with a business, a musical instrument, or making balls slip into a hoop there also comes the responsibility to use that public fame for more than just making a profit. There should also be an awareness that being a solid citizen and role model comes with being well-known.
People can make all sorts of arguments about how some places have legalized marijuana and how the pot-smoking part of society is so wide-spread there is no more shame about it, or reason not to do it in public. But I just reject that as many still know common-sense and good taste never are old-fashioned or worn out. Plus, there is much medical data to support why young minds still forming should not have drugs curtailing a full and normal growing period.
There is no doubt that pot smoking makes users less attentive, slows learning, alters decision-making, and decreases memory. But we also know that heavy marijuana use in a teenage body or even early adulthood has been associated with poor school performances, higher dropout rates, increased welfare dependency and greater unemployment.
So bravo for Musk in getting his name on the business pages but he earns nothing more than a raspberry for not standing taller as a person. He owes more to the young people than to show such bad behavior in public.