I have my blog post written for today. I’m not going to use it. On my way to the gym, I listened to someone talking about Snooki, the squat, always-drunk member of the “Jersey Shore” TV reality show and car-wreck-in-progress cast. On Thursday, she spoke at Rutgers University. She was paid $32,000 to do so. She told the crowd “Study hard, but party harder” and “When you’re tan, you feel better about yourself.”
Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize laureate and one of the best authors and speakers on the planet, was paid $30,000 to speak at Rutgers.
So, in addition to Rutgers University believing that Snooki was a valuable speaker, they felt that she had more value than a Nobel Prize laureate. Go, Rutgers. Maybe the entire cast of Jersey Shore can now set the curriculum and become deans of the various colleges. Rutgers could devise an entire curriculum based on getting drunk, vomiting, working out, screaming, peeing in public places, and tanning. Tanning, because it really is an art and has profound psychological implications, would be reserved for doctoral candidates.
Rutgers University new Deans. If I had time, I would put mortar boards on their heads. 
Life in the Boomer Lane 
Lori
April 4, 2011
You did the right thing putting your already prepared blog post on the back burner. Is it wrong for me to feel superior because I’ve never watched “Jersey Shore”; or does it just mean I live in an underground cave? Either way, ignorance is bliss!! Love it!!
Hey stop by …http://close2bliss.wordpress.com
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
I don’t watch the show and I refuse to read articles about them. But they are like fleas. One minute, they are on the cat and you can ignore them, and the next minute your entire house, including you, is shucking and jiving. And thanks for reading!
dufmanno
April 4, 2011
As if I needed more concrete evidence, this now solidifies everything I’ve said about the apocalypse.
I hear the hoof beats of the horsemen.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
I hear them as well.
2blu2btru
April 4, 2011
When I heard about this I was disappointed, but not surprised. She is, after all, also a New York Times Bestseller. Our culture is filled with the horrible literature and pervasive popularity of reality TV stars and people famous for being famous. It’s a kick in the teeth to people aspiring to be real writers (me), people who are award winning authors (Toni Morrison), and people who have real talent. The fact that it’s Rutgers just tells you how far the disease has spread.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
Calling it a disease is so on target. And that is, indeed, one of the many fallouts, that so many hardworking, credible writers and artists don’t stand a chance. Toni Morrison is one of my idols: enormously talented, visionary, charismatic. This makes it even more difficult for me.
Amy
April 4, 2011
I just don’t get the world, sometimes.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
I always think that this is how the Roman Empire slid into the Dark Ages.
writerwoman61
April 4, 2011
Lowest common denominator, Renée…the sad thing is that more people probably know who Snooki is than Toni Morrison!
I know from keeping my eye on my blog stats that those posts where I talk about current media figures get more hits than any others that I write.
Wendy
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
Oh Wendy, that’s a whole other thing. Have you read about the latest survey given to Americans to test knowledge of government and basic history? Ugh.
BA
April 4, 2011
And this is what is wrong with the world today . . . sigh. It’s kinda embarrassing to think that when people think of Americans they think of characters like this. Can you blame us foreigners? When the majority of American TV is garbage such as this.
Sadly, Canadians are not much better. We in Toronto are about to get our own Real Housewives franchise. Oh goodie!
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
Thanks for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane! I guess American is leading the way into cultural oblivion.
Katybeth
April 4, 2011
Making these could have Charlie Sheen speak for graduation.
This wrong. Just so very very wrong.
♥
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
Your comment now has me thinking that some college will, indeed, ask Sheen to speak. It would be a travesty but at least Sheen, when he’s not in his non-medicated manic phase, is intelligent and accomplished. The Jersey Shore people are media creations with no substance. I guess that sort of defines our entire culture at this point.
Katybeth
April 4, 2011
Sorru for the jumbled comment–my mind and typing fingers must have gone south. Sheesh!
Do Over:
Maybe they could have Charlie Sheen speak for graduation. This is wrong. Just so very very wrong.
Thank you. Goodbye now.
Katybeth
April 4, 2011
SORRY!!
(i had to re-type. I am not a quitter)
♥
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
I’m laughing. I get that you are not a quitter! Sometimes, I type comments on other people’s blogs and I do it really fast and hit “Send.” Then, when it appears, I groan.
pegoleg
April 4, 2011
Your fantasy curriculum is already the schedule of choice for many college students.
When I look at the TV, movies and music we export, it’s no wonder much of the world thinks America is evil.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
It’s such a mixed bag. So much of who and what we are is grossly distorted by others. And yet, we are the vanguard of over-consumption in all the wrong ways. And I suspect we produce more tasteless celebrities than any other culture.
aka gringita
April 4, 2011
This makes me feel like I should give back my RU degree. How much could it be worth anyway, considering this turn of events?
lifeintheboomerlane
April 4, 2011
Thanks for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane and commenting. If I had a kid at Rutgers right now, I would be in a rage.
Debbie
April 4, 2011
Renee’, this is just one more sad commentary on the state of some of our nation’s colleges and universities. I feel certain Rutgers could have found another better use for $32,000 than paying some “celebrity” to encourage our kids to party-hardy and focus on external appearances. Thanks for pointing it out.
Margie
April 4, 2011
I hope the United States pulls out of this moronic nose dive without having to hit rock bottom first.
Renee Fisher
April 4, 2011
I see the rocks….
1959duke
April 4, 2011
Its truly sad that things have gotten to this point. The culture has broken down plain and simple. Just think of all the hungry people you could feed with that money?
Renee Fisher
April 4, 2011
Agreed, and agreed. Having Snooki speak is worse than throwing the money down the drain.
carldagostino
April 4, 2011
The things into which this country places status is irrefutable evidence of our decline.
Renee Fisher
April 4, 2011
It is. We complain and complain and complain. But anyone can see what we place value on: Train wrecks disguised as celebs and sports figures. Rampant consumption of consumer goods and natural resources. Ourselves, to the exclusion of all others.
omawarisan
April 4, 2011
And somewhere, parents are working two jobs to afford the tuition at Rutgers only to see their money handed over to the definition of vacuous.
Speaking of vacuous, thank you spell check for reminding me how to spell that word.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
That just makes it even worse. I want Rutgers parents to rise up in protest. Do you think that would even happen? Spell check has become my new best friend. I don’t know if blogging is the culprit, but the minimal spelling skills I ever had (which I blame totally on my having missed most of second grade) are disappearing.
pearlsandprose
April 5, 2011
Wow. Snooki speaking at Rutgers? That is a new low. I’m glad it wasn’t a commencement address!
Have never watched the show and never will. I just don’t get it.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
I’ve seen snippets of the show. Work out. Get drunk. Scream. Fight. Vomit. Have sex. Pass out. Repeat.
Kathryn McCullough
April 5, 2011
Wow, Renee. This makes me want to vomit. How in God’s name can Toni Morrison only get 30,000 and this chick get 32?! Unbelievable! Thanks for letting us know about this!
Kathy
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
It gets worse. I read some students comments. One was “Gee, I would have thought Snooki would have gotten more.” I had to stop reading.
subWOW
April 5, 2011
I spend a lot of time on twitter and facebook and huffington post and various time-wasters and I did not know about this until I read your post.
This news is… how should I put it…
To quote Jon Stewart: I GIVE UP!
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
I could have written so much more about this, but I was in a rage and wanted to spew as quickly as possible. I feel like I am part of a tiny subset of the population who still has some kind of viable brain cells left. I’m appalled at what is happening to people. Then I think, Is it that I’m just too old now? Is that the problem? But I don’t think so. Jon Stewart is my god. If I’m going nuts, I can’t even imagine what goes on in his head.
Mariellen Romer
April 5, 2011
Every so often I feel like I should give up a habit of 20 years, and get a TV. Then I see a reality show and sign up for TV-lessness for another spell!
Thanks for visiting my blog the other day, will be writing more about the course at TheFilmSchool later this week.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
And thanks to you, Mariellen, for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane. TV is addictive and destroys brain cells at an alarming rate. I know, because everytime I watch it, I can feel the cells shrivelling up.
Amanda Hoving
April 5, 2011
I heard about this from a Rutger’s alum who was (to put it mildly) enraged like a rabid tiger. I think there is a good number of alums/parents who are now voicing their opinions to admin. Too bad it wasn’t before she arrived. Looking tan. And feeling good about herself.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
I want there to be sit ins and riots on campus. I want the university shut down. Am I asking too much?
Swanlady
April 5, 2011
Maybe you could be the original Bloggers of (fill in your county or city) reality show?
I think people are becoming thick headed and the only way to get through to them is with bizarre over the top actions played out on tv and the internet.
And “they” want to defund PBS where at least there is some learning going on? Go figure.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
Sadly, you might be right. Is this the way Rome ended? The Repubs say PBS uses too much money. It also takes more than one brain cell to follow. I feel like digging my old 60s armband out of the attic and marching.
36x37
April 5, 2011
Don’t you wonder how a phenomenon like Snooki can actually “happen”? I like watching dumb people as much as the next person, but this Jersey Shore is ridiculous.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
As offensive as it is, it’s equally boring. I mean, how many times can you get pleasure watching a group of people, get drunk, scream at each other, fall down, have sex, throw up, etc? For me, it’s only a slightly more civilized version of Jerry Springer.
Lisa
April 5, 2011
I meant to post on this yesterday, but it kind of left me speechless. Maybe I would have more to say if I got a boob job and a fake tan.
Lisa
April 5, 2011
By post, I mean comment.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
Hey, if you got a boob job and a fake tan, you would become a superstar blogger and universities would stand in line to throw money at you. Oh, wait. That doesn’t sound so bad….
Lisa
April 5, 2011
Yes, but my boobs are already naturally large (see my post called the Legacy of the Super Bra :D, so I wouldn’t be able to reach the keyboard or walk anywhere to receive my numerous awards and money. 😉
Jessica
April 5, 2011
Terrible. What is wrong with that University for letting Snooki come and speak to students and paying her more than a person that won the Nobel Peace Prize. If this was my school I would probably drop out and go somewhere else.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
Thanks for visiting my world, Jessica, and for commenting. I applaud your reaction. I really hope there is some kind of serious fallout over this. We have enough problems with our educational system as it is, without things like this. I put myself through school. I worked my butt off to do it. It would have made me ill to think of my hard-earned money being used like that.
Jack
April 5, 2011
I was taught from a very young age not to hit women, but I want to make an exception for Snooki. Call me jealous that this moron makes ridiculous amounts of money for professing her love of idiocy, but…
lifeintheboomerlane
April 5, 2011
I know, I know. It’s mind numbingly depressing. Sink to the absolute lowest common denominator and the world will throw money at your feet.
Alaina
April 5, 2011
I’ve only ever watched part of one episode of Jersey Shore. I think I’ve spent much more time reading bemused culture pundits’ reaction to Jersey Shore than watching the show itself, so I can’t really have an opinion. But I can say that if awareness of Snooki has seeped into my brain, when I am terminally allergic to most TV and “reality” TV in particular, she must be some kind of sensation.
A) what a tragedy that Snooki is payed more to speak than an accomplished literary figure.
B) Rutgers knows what’s up. Ever since the Snooki/Rutgers scandal broke, they’re getting tons of press. So what if it’s about a highly questionable speaker’s invitation. Rutgers is now plastered on the radar of every Jersey-shore-watching teenager in the country. Surely some of these people will one day grow into decent human beings.
C) How about we stop bashing the decision to host Snooki and find out how many people were there to hear her speak? I bet there were TONS of people there. We can’t direct ire at Snooki without also hating the masses of our fellow human beings who gave her the notoriety.
D) For those who want to punch Snooki or other inane reality stars, I suggest not tuning in. There are so many things in life to be angry about (like centipedes in the bathtub or burned toast). Reality stars just shouldn’t rank that high in our emotions. Just think – if we all quit paying attention, they’d probably be off the air.
Just my two cents.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 6, 2011
Some good points. There were 2000 students in attendance to hear La Snooki (or so I read.) And Rutgers is saying her fee came from the “student fund” and not from any kind of state or university funding. Alas, people not paying attention will never happen. Methinks Snook’s speaking fee has just skyrocketed.
The Good Greatsby
April 7, 2011
If Snooki gave Rutgers her seal of approval, I’ll definitely add it to the list of schools my kids are considering.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 7, 2011
The applications are pouring in as I write this.
The Good Greatsby
April 7, 2011
Might I also mention in Snooki’s defense, if Toni Morrison wants more appearance money, she should get her own reality show.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 7, 2011
Sadly, you have a point there.
See Elle Oh
April 7, 2011
“Rutgers could devise an entire curriculum based on getting drunk, vomiting, working out, screaming, peeing in public places, and tanning.”
As a Rutgers alum, I can say with confidence that some students already follow more or less that curriculum.
Joking aside, this whole Snooki/Morrison business made me feel ashamed of my alma mater. I hate that New Jersey’s flagship university, once a candidate for the Ivy League (no lie), is validating such an awful image of our state. I just try to remember that the decision to book Snooki and pay her what they did wasn’t made by the entire university community, but a small committee that plans activities.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 7, 2011
Thanks for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane and for commenting. I have a close friend whose daughter graduated from Rutgers and I’ve always considered it a great school. This was a stupid decision on the part of the activities committee. I feel terrible for current and former students and for Rutgers parents who are experiencing a sense of shame over this.
egills
April 8, 2011
I can’t believe that a University would allow anyone to promote getting a tan as a good thing. Especially in this day and age with skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in America.
One of your earlier commenters said she was allergic to most tv – oh I am so with her! ( Unless it’s history / science / cookery / period drama….. ).
lifeintheboomerlane
April 8, 2011
Thanks for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane, Eileen, and for commenting. To say that having Snooki speak was a mistake is a gross understatement and a sad commentary on people’s priorities.
territerri
April 9, 2011
And our parents tried to fool us into thinking that growing up, getting an education and becoming responsible adults was the path to success. Damn them! Snooki’s got it all figured out!
lifeintheboomerlane
April 9, 2011
Great comment. It does seem that, more and more, our culture rewards exactly the behavior that used to be considered anti-social.
Alex
April 18, 2011
I just want to say that if in this reply, I come off offensive at all, it is purely because of my Rutgers spirit, (current student) but I am really enjoying your blog 🙂
The University didn’t choose to have her come here, as it turns out. RUPA, a student-run organization that brings in celebrities and throws other related student events, voted on celebrities to come here and apparently chose her. Personally, I don’t consider her a celebrity.. more of a nuisance; and a waste of money considering there was no value in what she brought to the school at all.. not even entertainment. But I did want to say that about $6 comes out of each students’ term bill that goes towards funding celebrity events, student activities, and all that other stuff, and the $32,000 was actually between 2 celebrities, 1 of them being Snooki. Toni Morrison is actually being sponsored by Pepsi to come here to deliver this years graduation speech and was offered $60,000 and declined.
Trust me, I am right there with you when you say that it was such a dishonor to have here at this university, and I hate myself for ranting and sounding like I’m going against what you’re saying.. I just have too much Rutgers pride haha.
I guess I’m just trying to say that it was purely a student-run event (and this vote to have Snooki here.. I promise you I had no part in that) and that she wasn’t being payed by Rutgers.
lifeintheboomerlane
April 18, 2011
And many thanks to you, Alex, for this response. I have a lot of respect for Rutgers, and I had heard that this was a special student-sponsored event, not one funded by the university. Your comment explains it further.
successisthebestrevenge
May 1, 2011
Snooki apparently advocates for higher education. That environment may have given her something to think about. She may strive to get her degree at a later date for self gratification. It is not always about the status. So many celebrities have gone to college and received a degree. Snooki may become involved or sponsor events at Rutgers which will definitely cause an increase in enrollment. Colleges have to become creative and innovative to recruit and retain students. There is a lot of competition for students; online and on ground. I watch Jersey Shore and other reality shows. My degree is Sociology. These shows can be utilized to benefit our youth in prevention, intervention, and treatment issues. You have to peel the layers.