It should be noted that becoming a Personality and having a personality are distinct achievements. In fact, those with well-developed personalities often struggle to become Personalities.

A successful Personality attracts a large audience without challenging them. He lulls and coddles and strives not to alienate. He presents himself as likable, nonthreatening and, most important, reachable -- never too handsome or too happening or too sharp.

Our current culture is a petri dish for Personalities. We have, as a country, become suspicious of excellence, wary of the smarty-pants. These days we gravitate toward the uncomplicated, the simple and the negligible goal of keeping it real.