"Pedestaling" is a verb derived from the noun "pedestal" and it refers to the act of placing someone or something in a highly esteemed position or treating them as morally superior or infallible. It involves elevating an individual or an object to an elevated level of importance, often to the point of pedestalling becoming an excessive or exaggerated admiration or adoration.
The term is often used in contexts where someone is excessively glorified or idolized, especially without rational or critical evaluation. Pedestaling can occur in various domains, such as personal relationships, celebrity culture, or societal perceptions of individuals or groups. When individuals are pedestaled, their flaws, weaknesses, or mistakes are often overlooked or dismissed, and they are seen as beyond criticism or reproach.
Pedestaling can lead to unrealistic expectations, bias, and potential harm. It can create a power imbalance, as the person or object being pedestaled may feel pressured to live up to the idealized image. Similarly, others might feel inadequate in comparison, leading to feelings of inferiority. This term is often used in discussions about the pitfalls of hero worship, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective and recognizing the humanity and fallibility of those we admire.
It is worth noting that pedestaling can also occur on a societal level, where certain cultures, ideologies, or concepts are glorified and held at an elevated status, leading to uncritical acceptance or refusal to question their validity or potential faults.
