The media publishes a lot of news stories about the mortgage crisis and Britney Spears. Is that a rant?

What's the difference (in your lay person's view) between the media's regular attention to the mortgage crisis, James Joyce's 10 year long research and writing of his book, Ulysses, and an unhealthy interest?





James Joyce was apparently a poor husband and father while he was working on his novel, Ulysses, but not that many teachers accuse his interest in novel writing as an unhealthy obsession. The media follow around Britney Spears and take pictures of her all the time, but few people publicly complain.





Is there something different between these healthy, well-paid, well reviewed obsessions and an unhealthy obsession? Some newspaper journalist will win a Pulitzer for obsessively dissecting the mortgage crisis, so why is that an esteemable obsession?The media publishes a lot of news stories about the mortgage crisis and Britney Spears. Is that a rant?
i've acgtually hyave3nt heard anything about b ritney spears in quite a while. i hope the girl is doing ok.