JD Salinger's path to fame

News of author JD Salinger's death last month went expectedly with little coverage by the media because Salinger after writing his brilliant novel "The Catcher in the Rye" retired from writing and led the rest of his life privately, avoiding all interviews and celebrity public gatherings. It will forever be a mystery why a man whose novel spoke volumes about teenage alienation and rebellion would choose to live the life of an enigmatic recluse. Maybe Salinger was a step ahead of everybody and knew that if he never spoke to the media about his novel he would become a cult figure and gain a following that even the biggest media hound couldn't dream of having or maybe he was just a shy introvert who gave in to the fear of all the destructive entrapments that come with fame. Those are just two possibilities and there are plenty of others but regardless why Salinger chose to live the way he did, his path to fame is something more people should try.
Today there are too many celebrities who have become famous without having to do anything. All it takes is a camera following you in a house or on an island with other people and in the blink of an eye you are a famous celebrity being talked about on entertainment shows like "Access Hollywood" and "Entertainment Tonight". No work is needed, just a handsome look and a smile to the camera when you're interviewed and you become famous. JD Salinger achieved fame by creating something brilliant, in his case a novel, and then remaining silent about it. This a better way of attaining fame because when you create something remarkable whether it be a book, a movie, a song or anything else for the public to see, you are adding value to society by inspiring people and challenging their thoughts and when you keep quiet about your work you become an almost godlike figure with a following always wondering and even obsessing about you as a person and the work you created. In today's world it will be near impossible to become a recluse the way Salinger did but let's hope that people aspiring to be famous will achieve their fame by creating something important that benefits society. That type of fame not only encriches yourself, it enriches us all.