J.D. Salinger Versus Heidi Montag: The Fame Game.

Today in Esquire, S.T. VanAirsdale suggests that being a Salingeresque recluse is perhaps the best, most novel path to fame in this brave new world. Um, a little tome called How to be Famous would disagree. Here, a breakdown

In one corner, we have Salinger, we have Garbo, we have Pynchon. In the other, in no trunks, we have Snooki, Situation and Speidi. Who will triumph?

Name: J.D. Salinger
Occupation: Writer of classic fiction
Controversial Personal Life: Relationship with Joyce Maynard
Approach to Celebrity: Becoming total recluse
PR Stunts: Becoming total recluse
Looking the part: Allegedly a health nut and sometimes bulimic. Mostly: becoming total recluse.
Playing the Press: Becoming total recluse
State of Mind: Appeared grim
Control Over Reputation: Total
Fled From: Literary Pilgrims
Reputation: Assured
Quote: "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody."

Name: Heidi Montag
Occupation: P.R. assistant, housewife, celebrity, reality TV star, author, designer, musician
Controversial Personal Life: Marriage to Spencer Pratt
Approach to Celebrity: Becoming ubiquitous
PR Stunts: Feuds, marriages, vague political statements, album
Looking the Part: 10 plastic surgeries
Playing the Press: Ubiquity, saying outrageous things
State of Mind: Appears grim
Control Over Reputation: Total
Flees From: Lauren Conrad
Reputation: Assured

Why Recluses Are The New Superstars [Esquire]