Starhawk writes: But as I got older alas I met real girls who had much nicer qualities (both physically and certainly otherwise) then that skank and I thank God recovered from my brief bout of britneysbodyidus
Personally I don't see anything wrong with admiring from afar superficially attractive celebrities, whatever their real-life shortcomings. Taking Britney as an example, since I don't know her personally she's just a pretty, um, face that I can "flesh out" any way I want in my imagination. "Imaginary" Britney then becomes a thoroughly decent human being, Mensa member, philanthropist, Red Cross volunteer, virgin, and nymphomaniac who is inexplicably attracted to older men with thinning hair, no talent, and excruciatingly ordinary lives.
In real life she may be a crack whore who kicks dogs for fun, but who cares? Real life is somebody else's problem.
Celebrities have another advantage in that one can choose to admire them in their prime. Denise Richards is currently a bit past her sell-by date, but if I hit the Internet (gives new meaning to the phrase "hit me baby one more time") or Netflix I can recapture her glory days any time I want.
A few words of caution: (1) Don't expect real people to live up to your imagination; (2) Never, ever use your imagination to "flesh out" a potential RL romantic interest. If you're wrong, YOU are stuck with the "problem".
