Why do musicians and actors get awarded the title "knight of the british empire"

[Nightmare798]

Just because they are filthy rich? I have heard that people like Angelina Jolie (not a title of knight, but a title of noble), Shawn Connery or Ringo Starr get awarded with such title, yet there are countless people walking earth, that fight danger and help those in need like fire fighters, doctors fighting diseases in foreign countries, or soldiers helping the victims of natural disasters, yet those people are ignored, just because they do their job?

I mean yeah many actors give great sums to charity, which is why Shawn Connery or Angelina Jolie getting recognized as such doesnt seem like wrong, but still, Donating money is one thing, going into a burning building, knowing it may fall apart any second, just to save the people in danger inside, is another.

Any thoughts on that?

[WITCHCRAFT]

Just because they are filthy rich? I have heard that people like Angelina Jolie (not a title of knight, but a title of noble), Shawn Connery or Ringo Starr get awarded with such title, yet there are countless people walking earth, that fight danger and help those in need like fire fighters, doctors fighting diseases in foreign countries, or soldiers helping the victims of natural disasters, yet those people are ignored, just because they do their job?

I mean yeah many actors give great sums to charity, which is why Shawn Connery or Angelina Jolie getting recognized as such doesnt seem like wrong, but still, Donating money is one thing, going into a burning building, knowing it may fall apart any second, just to save the people in danger inside, is another.

Any thoughts on that?

Sean Connery got it because he is a highlander.

[Leshma]

Daniel Boyle is the man, rest are clowns.

[Prpavi]

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[Clockworkkiller]

the real question is why dont english people share their hogwarts magic with the world

[Turkhammer]

Just because they are filthy rich? I have heard that people like Angelina Jolie (not a title of knight, but a title of noble), Shawn Connery or Ringo Starr get awarded with such title, yet there are countless people walking earth, that fight danger and help those in need like fire fighters, doctors fighting diseases in foreign countries, or soldiers helping the victims of natural disasters, yet those people are ignored, just because they do their job?

I mean yeah many actors give great sums to charity, which is why Shawn Connery or Angelina Jolie getting recognized as such doesnt seem like wrong, but still, Donating money is one thing, going into a burning building, knowing it may fall apart any second, just to save the people in danger inside, is another.

Any thoughts on that?

Well, Barack Obama and Yasser Arafat were awarded Nobel Peace Prizes so...

[Swaggart]

All monarchic titles are meaningless drivel.

[Swaggart]

Hold about the same meaning as a military medal in your country. Mean little to me, i'm sure they mean a lot to the person being awarded. I like the idea that there are high honours like this that can be offered to non-military personnel (as well as military) for extreme bravery or a massive contribution in a certain area.

Civilian medals, which pretty much every country has, are completely different from titles awarded by morally bankrupt generational inbreeds.

[Oberyn]

Hold about the same meaning as a military medal in your country. Mean little to me, i'm sure they mean a lot to the person being awarded. I like the idea that there are high honours like this that can be offered to non-military personnel (as well as military) for extreme bravery or a massive contribution in a certain area.

Pretty much this, the Legion d'Honneur in France can be given for anything from military to entertainment accomplishments. Economic, cultural, sportive, etc. Some of the awards are more PR than anything, those mean little to me as well, but there's a lot given for causes and sacrifices that I consider noble and just.

[Nightmare798]

Well, Barack Obama and Yasser Arafat were awarded Nobel Peace Prizes so...

What was Barrack Obama awarded for?

[Oberyn]

Wishfull thinking. It was the first US election that saw so much international focus that I remember, and a lot of the world creamed their pants in joy at the "Hope" political message. Closing Gitmo, withdrawing from Iraq, blah blah blah. Bunch of high-minded rhetoric during an election nothing more than a tool to manipulate naive dreamers? Shocking. The Nobel judges panel obviously fell for it at least.

[Nightmare798]

Wishfull thinking. It was the first US election that saw so much international focus that I remember, and a lot of the world creamed their pants in joy at the "Hope" political message. Closing Gitmo, withdrawing from Iraq, blah blah blah. Bunch of high-minded rhetoric during an election nothing more than a tool to manipulate naive dreamers? Shocking. The Nobel judges panel obviously fell for it at least.

That award should be given AFTER it is done, not in the moment it is PROMISED to be done, but I prolly dont have to tell you that.

[Swaggart]

High honours and civilian medals of high importance are often presented by the head of state, in counties that have such a thing that's the President. Whether you or i like it or not, the current head of state in the UK is the monarch, so they present the award.

What's the difference between a title that grants you no additional land, wealth or political power, and a tiny piece of metal that grants you no additional land, wealth or political power? The only difference is whether you get a piece of metal to remember the occasion, or a fancy title you can put on official documents to remember the occasion. Neither of the 2 actually gives you anything, other than public recognition of your actions.

Yeah, i might double-take and be a bit more respectful to someone i just found out had a knighthood or other title, but certainly no more (and likely far less) than if i were in the same situation and they were wearing the Victoria Cross.

The difference is that titles of "nobility" such as a knighthood create class distinction. The nobles and the commoners. Winning the VC does not imply that. To me this, and any form of "nobility" and "royalty" has no place in modern society, ceremonial or otherwise.

[Swaggart]

In what sense does that make them a member of the nobility? When someone gets a PhD in their field they get to put 'Dr' infront of their name, that doesnt make them a noble. It's the same with putting 'Sir' infront of your name, people may choose to respect you more for it (like being a 'Dr'), but that would be their personal decision.

In medieval times perhaps the granting of a title may have included a land grant or similar, but that's certainly not the case today. You exit the ceremony with the same income you had before you were knighted, the same house, the same background, you know the same people you always have. You dont have any extra privileges or entitlements as a result of a knighthood. Whatever 'class' you were before your ceremony, you're the same class after, you dont suddenly get invited to have dinner with the Queen every fortnight.

Besides, all these specific titles are granted based on personal achievements and merit, not birth (and they certainly arent hereditary). That's about as far from being a system of nobility or royalty as you can get.

Historical baggage makes it a term of nobility. Also, comparing a knighthood to a ph. D is wrong as anyone can get a doctorate whereas you must be selected for a knighthood and anointed by descendants of morally bankrupt generational inbreed.

But we might as well agree to disagree.