from Hacker News

A Teen Celebrity in 1804

by CoBE10 on 9/8/23, 2:15 PM with 13 comments

• by cl3misch on 9/10/23, 3:52 AM

  He apparently went on to attend college and wanted to continue acting afterwards, but was not well received by critics. He tried to kill himself, failed, and went on to live off his fortune.

• by Geste on 9/9/23, 9:51 PM

  >Betty’s people paid critics for good reviews, leaked his letters to the press, and authorized production of medallions, snuff boxes, coffee cups, and other merchandise. Theaters probably also used tricks to inflate the reception Betty received, like strategically placing ringers in the audience to cheer for him.

  It's always good to realise we aren't so much different from our previous generation. If anything, we just do what they did faster and with a greater impact on the world, for better or worse.