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Is Robert Pattinson the Pop Icon of a Generation?

Tue., May. 5, 2009 1:00 PM PDT by Leslie Gornstein

In your opinion, is Robert Pattinson the biggest pop icon of a generation?
—FreakFlagFlyer, via Twitter

Let's put it this way: When I floated your suggestion past a historian who specializes in this sort of thing, he had to fight the urge to laugh. (Further evidence against your theory: I myself cackled freely, and the professor didn't try to stop me.)

"He doesn't even come close," says cultural critic Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University.

At the risk of crushing you completely, here's why, plus some examples of real pop icons:

You see dear, to be an icon, a person needs to enjoy recognition beyond a certain screaming, drooling, convulsing segment of the population. Girls and young women certainly know about R.Pattz, as do some older women and, of course, Ted Casablanca.

But most men couldn't care whether Pattinson goes out into the sun and sparkles himself to death. Many men over 45 don't even know who he is. And that's where his candidacy for icon status falls short.

Compare that with, say, Marilyn Monroe.

"In the 1950s, 14-year-olds were just as excited about Marilyn Monroe as 50-year-old men," Levinson explains. Ditto with true icons of other generations: JFK, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles.

Someone who has headlined in one major movie has a far, far way to go toward icon status. Even Harrison Ford and Marlon Brando had to, you know, show up at work for a while before people got all het up.

As for the 21st century, Levinson says we've had only one bona fide cultural icon thus far, and a Twilight star it ain't.

"Barack Obama," Levinson argues. "He's not only an American icon but a world icon. His image is more recognizable than any other image around the world. And—and this is one of the biggest requirements for being an icon—the public doesn't seem to be anywhere near close to being tired of him."

Check in with me a year from now—and we'll see if you aren't all Pattz'ed out.
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