For the last week or so I have been thinking periodically about the Michael Jackson story and the phenomenal (some might say, ridiculous) reaction to his death. Kind of hard not to think about it with the overwhelming amount of press it has received. I must say, I was a little surprised that it (the public reaction to his death) has evoked a wide range of emotions, feelings, thoughts and questions for me. Although this may not be a “typical”post today, I want to open the door on a group discussion and get your thoughts on a few issues which I believe are important, relevant and worthy of some exploration and consideration.
Without doubt, MJ was a creative genius; a unique talent that changed the face of music globally and along the way he created his own version of History; literally and metaphorically and yes, pun intended. He was truly gifted and unlike many others, he was able to harness his gift and bring something to the world that will be enjoyed for generations. I, like most people, own several MJ albums and have embarrassed myself far too many times trying to moonwalk my uncoordinated, sock-wearing self across the kitchen floor. Tragic I know. And just a little embarrassing. On hearing of his death, my immediate feelings were (1) disbelief and (2) sadness at the unnecessary loss of a life. My thoughts since have revolved largely around the way we (the collective we) seem to value and celebrate certain lives, while totally discounting or perhaps ignoring others. Consciously or not. While I feel for MJ, his family and his fans, to be completely honest I feel much more for the anonymous, faceless, nameless, poverty-stricken children who die every day and who wind up being meaningless, anonymous statistics to the majority of us. One Michael Jackson dies and we see mass hysteria, sadness and an outpouring of global sympathy, support and love. On the same day (June 25, 2009) 25,000 children died as a result of living in poverty (as they do every day of every year) and relatively speaking, very few people know, care or cry. That’s the way it seems to me anyway. Those gorgeous little kids never even got the opportunity to become successful, eccentric, famous and universally loved. Or to grow up and discover and explore their own amazing talents. Or simply… to grow up. To eat properly. To sleep in a bed. To have hope. Opportunity. If you were an alien researcher on a field trip here to observe human behaviour (of course that happens), it would be fair to conclude that some lives are more valuable than others down here on Planet Earth.
Some Things to Think About
1. Despite MJ’s wealth, immense popularity, extraordinary achievements, amazing talent, undeniable power, influence, fame and commercial success (what most performers seek), he appeared to be eternally lost, miserable, conflicted, dysfunctional and lonely… well, to me the distant observer living outside the MJ fishbowl anyway.
2. The other day I was listening to the news on the radio in the car. It was a few days after his death and the five-minute news bulletin started out with the obligatory four minutes of MJ updates and then, almost as an after thought (seemed like at the time), the newsreader said something like… “in further news, it appears that 154 people have been killed in a plane crash off the east coast of Africa… and now let’s take a look at today’s weather”. I was stunned at how unimportant 154 lives could be. Clearly some lives are more valuable than others. Or so the news folk would have us believe. Or perhaps that’s what we believe?
I do not want today’s post to turn into an emotional, ugly, pointless debate among MJ fans/haters but I do welcome intelligent, meaningful, thoughtful and respectful opinons and thoughts. I’m happy to be taught. After all, the point of the article is not really about MJ but rather how we value life and lives. We don’t need to agree (thankfully), just listen, consider and hopefully learn. Keep in mind that there isn’t necessarily a “right or wrong” on this issue, perhaps just a differing of philosophies and beliefs. So…
1. What are your thoughts about the way we worship people and deify performers (as we do in our culture)?
2. Are some lives more valuable than others?
3. Was the response to MJ’s death appropriate? Excessive? Neither?
4. Your fave MJ song? (Mine? Smooth Criminal – awesome film clip).
Love your thoughts on this stuff; even you non-commenting types… I will send a DVD (yep, anywhere) for the responses that rock my world.
* Don’t forget our Melbourne Meet-up… Hey Melbournians! Don’t forget that we have a get-together this coming Saturday (July 4, 11.00 am) at Marlo’s Cafe, 268 Centre rd. Bentleigh. I’ll be the one in the corner immersed in cheesecake. Love to see you there. Even you long time lurking Scaredy-Cats…
* Don’t forget my new kid’s book (The Angry Ant) is out now! Love this article? Sign up for my FREE Email Newsletter today to receive more articles like this, and get my FREE Ebook!
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
A tad off topic but what about this weeks Oz Lotto draw where two people won $53million each? I didn’t enter. Who cares. It was a sickening to watch and hear of “every second Australian lining up to buy their lotto ticket.” If everyone pooled in $15 to a ‘greater cause’ the mind just boggles to imagine what our world would become.
What about the late Princess Diana… Steve Irwin… Peter Brock? Royalty and high achievers (in whatever field) live a high profile life. So it stands to reason (I guess) that they will endure a high profile death. I think you can honour the death of a public figure without going ‘over the top.’ Not everyone will get a ‘State Funeral’ or be the first story on the 9am news on the radio or be plastered on the front page of the paper either. These people are just like us. The difference is their high profile life. But they have a family. Give them time and space to grieve and honour the life of their loved one.
My fave MJ song: Earthsong (quite fitting really. “What have we done to the world… look what we’ve done……………….. What about children dying… can’t you hear them crying…… where did we go wrong?”)
Rest In Peace now MJ
Excellent post, I heard you touch on it last Saturday on your Light fm show…I think for me it was the “what the” thing….we had heard about an hour earlier that Farrah Fawcett had passed away then that….! I am finding it hard to watch/listen to the news because of the incredible coverage MJ is receiving some of which may even be fact!
I grew up with MJ through his Jackson 5 phase with Ben (love that song) and all their songs and through the Thriller stage….loved that song and clip lol (even though my silly ex husband called it the Phyllis Diller song! listen to what he sings…sounds like he is singing Phyllis Diller lol) I must admit the black and white song was great though odd as he so clearly wanted to look and be white when apparently “it don’t matter if you’re black or white” (in my opinion!!!)
I think we put people unnecessarily on pedestals and hold them up too high after they have gone. What a tragedy the plane crash was, and yes a very “by the way” kind of attitude there was to it as well.
RIP MJ and Farrah and all on the plane as well.
hugs and see you Saturday
Chelle xxxx
Like you, Craig, my reactions were disbelief and then sadness. But there was a third too: I felt a little disappointed that MJ’s death overshadowed Farrah Fawcett’s … in terms of media coverage and public outpouring of emotion.
I think it’s unhealthy how we worship people .. and particularly unhealthy for them. Just look at how many celebrities are “troubled” these days. It’s sad, really. With power comes great responsibility .. and these people are not super-humans, no matter how much the media paints them as such. That’s a lot of pressure. Look at the current happenings in the NRL world, as an example.
I don’t think one life is more VALUABLE than another, in the purest sense. However, I think it’s undeniable that some lives have much more impact on our own world than others. And there are people who do wonderful things in the lives of others. It doesn’t make their life more valuable, but it does make you feel “closer” to those who’ve had an impact on your life. Those who are woven through our memories. They are a part of our history .. and a part of us.
Yes, I think the outpouring over MJ’s death was appropriate for what he gave the world (and I mean his musical talent). In terms of his contribution, including to our individual lives, he was right up there with Elvis and The Beatles. What was inappropriate was the media coverage FRONT AND CENTRE, and to the exclusion of other news. The wow factor. The ratings drive. The “who’s got the newest, most shocking version of something to do with his death” contest.
Fav song? The Way You Make Me Feel. Makes we wanna dance. And smile.
MJ, safe travels. I hope your next time around comes with a lot less turmoil. Thank you for the music.
Suz (Sydney)
Wazzup Craig,
How’s it going for you.. I hope good. I found some interesting thoughts in your post and I guess I’ll go ahead and say what your thinking out loud..
Ok, ready for it??
Yes.. We really do value some people ( or their lives if you want ) more than others.
And this only makes sense..
Think about those poeple that you really value in your live..
Chances are that they have shown you that they have value in the first place.. for you to value them.
You wouldn’t feel the same for a stranger unless she is the woman of your dreams, would you?? Why??
Because you don’t know that stranger from a hole in the wall..
MJ ( Michael Jackson ) gave the world soo much value ( his art ) that we in return value him.. just for that.
While those kids living in misery could have done the same thing if they would have had those oportunities.. Fact is that they didn’t.
I know.. It shouldn’t be like that, but hey.. Out here in the real world where we live ( lol
That’s how it’s dunn my friend..
BTW.. I read your posts every morning and I have this to say..
THEY ROCK
With respect,
Charles.
P.S. Heyz.. I liked smooth criminal a lot, and you know what i liked even better?? BEAT IT.. Trully genius
Hi Craig, don’t have a lot of thoughts on the MJ thing, sad as always when anyone dies but I just wanted to say that none of us should listen to what newsreaders say. One announced the end of the financial year the other day and said that it was a year that was the most turbulant in Australia’s history. I reckon the settlers that nearly starved to death in the early days of the colony would probably disagree with that.
Still here, still losing (very slowly) and still reading your page.
Joanne.
Hi Craig! I have some thoughts on your post. I have been pondering the same things, that you so eloquently described, over the last few days mostly because of my own response to MJ’s death. I was surprised that it affected me and that I stopped to think about it for so long.
Someone once told me that, “we only cry tears for ourselves” and at the time I really didn’t understand what he meant. Over the past few years I have really come to understand this. I think it can mean a variety of things for a variety of people, but for me it translates into something like this. Tears arise when something outside of us touches something inside of us whether that is something happy or sad. That is, something we see, hear, touch, or experience resonates with the deeper part of our selves or our higher power, or our soul. In regard to MJ and valuing life in general I think that there has been such a strong response because MJ and his talent, creativity and creations resonated with so many people, both positively and negatively. In terms of the statistics we hear about with other lives lost, I think that most push those thoughts away because they haven’t had that connection and probably don’t want to have that connection to an unknown. It is sad and can be so scary to think about poverty and death especially of children, IMO. I really think that most people value life and other’s lives, but don’t want to think about it because it brings about a wave of emotion inside which most may not be ready to experience.
I happen to love most of MJ’s music, but I have to say that my absolute favorite song of his is “Billie Jean.” Thanks for the thought provoking post!
The first I heard of MJ’s demise was after I switched the radio on at the beginning of a long drive home. After listening to a run of stories the presenter had put together from News Broadcasts during the day, I switched channels and unsurprisingly there he was again. This time they were conducting a poll on the timeframe for bringing out the MJ jokes, was it too soon or should they wait a day? Callers opinions ranged from positions of outrage to “bring them on!!”.
I was thinking about the “value” people put on music in their lives, how they might personally relate to someone who may have been there in times of peace and happiness or helped them in a crisis by the melodies and words written. I bet we can all think of favourite bands / artists in a moment of time and how that changes as we journey through life.
For me music is inspirational, provides motivation, can just be there in the background for relaxation and in some of my “dark” days helped me express how I was feeling when I couldn’t find the words for myself.
Anyway I bet we will all remember “where we were” when we heard.
His death will mean different things to different people. I beleive MJ existed and died in a time when I think the world is struggling to find meaning. As I look at the bigger picture I wonder if selfishness and lack of empathy are the drivers? If I make it my business to ensure that my life demonstrates selflessness and empathy it might rub off on those around me and who knows where to from there.
I’m not surprised by the sensationalism, fed by the media machine and countless others in for the money train ride. It seems like this is now an accepted pattern of behaviours whenever someone famous is in the media headlights. What does this tell us about our ourselves as we tune in to the news, buy that magazine or surf for info on the net?
Thanks Craig, as always AWESOME food for thought.
HUGGZ
lela
I think (sadly) some lives are more valuable TO others than others.
MJ’s life generated enormous personal wealth but at a huge cost.
His life generated an enormous wealth for many others too. A picture of MJ is far more valuable than a small child dying unfortunately. So (unfortunately) his life (in our society) is more valuable.
It’s a strange paradox when someone of enormous (monetary) wealth decides their life is worth nothing and they end it or they die (not sure what I believe happened to MJ).
Many gasp with a serious dose of the “but they had everything”. Clearly it’s not (and should not be) all about money.
I wonder at the end of the day if there was a piont in time when MJ felt self worth… and if the decline of his self worth parallelled with the rise of his monetary worth?
#1 – I think it is sad most people have more respect for a convicted American football player than they will ever have for a teacher.
I think we ‘worship’ the wrong people and ‘dismiss’ some of the smartest, kind and thoughtful people.
This is something that has always saddened me. I was actually very happy when I discovered this site and saw that really great people still exist.
#2 – some people do not ‘live’ life they simply move from one day to another. Most of the time they do not do anything to help themselves or others? I am not sure they value their own life.
#3 – I think the covereage of his death is excesive, but the response from individuals is what is – he was a major part of many of our lives and losing him is a strange reality.
#4 – Smooth Criminal. That song totally motivates and I LOVE IT!
(first time posting real thoughts on this site – so if you respond please go easy on me)
Stacey
Indiana, US
Hi Guys,
I think that as a combined world, celebraties appear to be there when we are feeling down, happy, crazy… what ever emotion you can draw from it and I would bet that there are some songs that MJ sang that bring you back to a certain place in time, so when we lose one, it really does feel as though we have lost someone close to us. Having said that I am not a walking zombie because the strange one has past and like you Craig I don’t get how other far more tragic things seem to be brushed aside…… Largely due to the media….. I swear if I hear thriller one more time I am going to go completely mad. Yes it’s sad that MJ has past, but really people there are far more important things going on in the world. Have a great weekend
Love Tina
Oh I so agree with you Craig. Just goes to show that talent, wealth and power won’t and can’t save your soul. And how sad is our society that we place such importance on things so irrelevant to the big picture.
Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Janine ()
I don’t think we ‘value’ one life more than another, it’s just the impact on our lives that person has. I am far more upset and my world is far more consumed by, say my father dying that someone I don’t know. I think it’s a bit the same with celebrities as some people feel they know them and they influence their lives.
I think there was some over reaction to MJs death. For example, the more than 12 people who ended their own life because of it. You shouldn’t let any person lead you to do that, particuarly a celebrity you don’t know. His music and memory are still there.
Not being a MJ fan I can’t say it has affected me too much but I think everyone knows someone who is devestated similar to when diana died.
Favourite song thriller or blame it the boogie.
Hi Craig,
I was saddened to hear of MJ’s death but totally over the specials on his life when in reality he was hounded over his dealings with children and so on.What hypocrites we all are.
On one hand we have what happens to some children in the hands of adults and on the other we seem to accept it because it is a celebrity, what about the child or children?
it could possibly be that these people are extrordinary in their talents and we idolise them because we dont have that particular talent but we forget that in the end they are simply like us.
Notice,no mention of Farrah Fawcett, or Johnny Carson’s offsider?
We put people on pedastals only to knock them off again and say ” see, I can make you, I can break you, how insecure are we?
In closing I must say my fav MJ song was Ben one of his early ones and where i believe the lost little boy was shown to all but no one listened.
Hi Craig. I concur.
I too had the initial reaction of disbelief when I heard the news. I was on my way to Brisbane to the Mind Body Spirit expo, stopped off at a roadside cafe and heard it on the news….. I stood still for a moment and watched and listened in disbelief. I then said a silent prayer for his family and friends, got back in my car and enjoyed the rest of my inspiring and exciting day.
Since then, I have avoided the news and radio stations simply because, although I was a big MJ fan in my day, I really did get tired of hearing it. I too gave thought to all those people out there dying alone, or lying in unmarked graves because nobody cares enough to take a moment for them. Even Farrah Fawcett who put up a brave, inspiring and very public battle with cancer got but a snippet of attention in the media because of the MJ frenzy.
Thanks for reminding us all to take a moment and think. Today, I will reflect on the enormity of this interesting ‘flaw’ in human society. And make a conscious effort to be the change we want to see in this world.
Its just a matter of being conscious, something that I never really understood until recently. Living from a state of consciousness and being aware. If we all started to do it, then we would simply reflect on the death of a ‘celebrity’ with compassion and humility. It seems to me that the need to make a frenzy out of these situations comes from unconscious living, fear and collective ego.
Have a good day
x Nicole
Hi all
Quite interesting that although it was sad to hear of MJ’s death, and he was a genius in music and dance, the first words that came out of my mouth to someone about it was “He didn’t seam to be happy in this life, he seamed to be fighting it”.
Who has seen as much about Farrah Fawcett on the news, who did some great things in her life and died on the same day?
1. I wonder if people’s admiration for personalities is an escape from their own reality. (The wow look what they have, if only.)(Ignoring the fact that they only see what the media wants to portray)
I am grateful that I don’t have this mentality.
2. The first show i saw recently of “random acts of kindness” I cried for the whole hour(yes I’m male). There are many beautiful people out there we just don’t see them all.
3. The response to me was none of what you mentioned, to me unfortunately it was “normal”
4. “The way you make me feel” I do love is music and his dance moves.
Have a lovely weekend all
Hi Guys. Thanks for your thoughts guys – some gold in there.
Welcome Stacey! Big hug for you and now you’ve opened the door, don’t close it!
And to Jules, Chelle, Suz, Charles, Nicole, Gail, Patricia, Janine, Tina, Lela, Marlene, Serena and Joanne… have a great day x
I always wonder the same when listening / watching the news. The media has a lot to answer for in regard to what is news and what is an ‘add on’ before the weather. We (general public) are far too immersed in the lives of ‘celebrity’ and are quickly losing sight of what is real and what is plastic….This in turn encourages us to lose our ‘human touch’ killing our own spirits in the process. Thankyou for your news letter today as it puts into perspective real life and the value it should have.
Hello all,
For me, it is a lot less vulnerable to grieve for one man than for 154 people… imagine the depths our hearts would go to if we had to think about each strangers death, the lives they carried, their story…. imagine how connected we would feel with the planet and how much trust we would have for each other. how must respect and love….. best keep it on an emotional self experience by remembering our stories of ourselves and how MJ influenced our life.
I was driving my kids to school when I heard the news that MJ had suffered a cardiac arrest and at that moment it was unconfirmed he had not survived. I thought to myself, that’s just horrible. I hope he is ok. By the time I dropped the kids off to their classrooms and hopped back in the car, his death had been confirmed and they had opened the phone lines for people ring in. I honestly could not get over the way some of the people were responding to his death. I am sorry if this sounds awful, but it was so over the top. None of these people had even come into contact with MJ but there were women ringing in that were hyperventalating and were literally beside themselves. One woman had to be literally taken off the air. They contacted a lady who was his OZ publicist on his last tour he did here. Somehow she managed to hold herself together and talk about her experience and time with MJ. Don’t get me wrong though. He was a remarkable performer. I think we all went around for a while with the glitter glove on one hand and like Craig, moonwalked across our kitchen floor and watched our male friends try his crotch grabbing move with not as much finesse as MJ did it. My favourite song, The Way You Make Me Feel and Billie Jean. But I seriously love the Thriller film clip. It is brilliant. I teach a kids dancing class and next week we are having a moonwalking competition because we thought it would be a bit of light hearted fun. They have also petitioned to learn the Thriller dance routine….hmmm…going to have to crack out the music video’s now to see what I can come up with. I found a few days later though there were a lot of things that were happening in the world that were just a little bit more important that finding out that he was a skeleton with needle marks and whatever else. This morning I hear the Debbie Rowe is fighting for custody. I don’t care. I am over it. Leave them in peace. What about all those gorgeous kids that died.. what about the plane crash in Africa…. what about giving us some news that is actually worth listening to.
All life is valuable. Life is a gift and for some, that gift is so short lived. Live every day as if it is your last and enjoy your life.
Hiya Craig,
Not expecting to win a DVD for my responses, but I will respond anyhow, ‘cos you’re right, MJ’s death (and the aftermath) is kind of a snapshot of the cultural and social world we inhabit and therefore is worth examing.
Do we deify performers/actors/princesses/princes – sadly, we do. At least the multimedia of the world do – increasing the sale of popular people magaxines, newspapers, books, CD’s and concert tickets is their aim and these people are perfect fodder for them.
We (the rest of us who absorb this stuff) don’t have to buy into it, but a lot do. Passively soaking it up till yes, it is at the point that we have somehow edified the rich, famous Hollywood types and have assigned to them all sorts of traits and characteristics that they and their lives don’t possess.
MJ was such a victim of this – talented, creative- and actually probably deep down a very sensitive and perhaps not such a self seeking man as some, but it was all he ever knew and because of the world wide edification of HIM, he never really got to live life to the full, despite his wealth and fame. How paraodoxical, ‘cos somehow the masses had come to acquaint HIS life with the FULL life.
A distortion/ a misrepresentation/ a misconstruction/ a lie – and quite a big one – continually perpetuated by the merry go round of global attention.
Now, to the real problem with all of this – didn’t Michael Jackson perform on that song in the late 80′s – WE ARE THE WORLD, WE ARE THE CHILDREN, LET’S MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE…?? At that time, it seems (even temporarily) we had some focus …..creative, famous people ‘joined together as one’ to fight poverty in the third world. To save lives. To make this world a better place. Every now and again it seems the world remembers those who need help.
All lives are valuable and important, but those with the greatest need should be the focus of global attention, not those who already have enough money and resources to feed and house a few hundred small villages. Let’s be the change – and help shift the focus – don’t join in the idolising and worshipping – feel sad and celebrate the fun and joy Michael Jackson did bring to the world – but don’t forget those who are never going to get the chance to shine their, just as valuable, light in the world.
Oh…and I don’t really have a favourite Michael Jackson song, but everytime I hear those ‘let’s remember Michael’ grabs on the airwaves, I keep hoping they’ll play BEN (from his childhood days), mainly so my kids can listen to it. Oh… and I like it.
See ya Craig – thanks for taking a look at this. Hope you have fun reading our comments!!
Hugs,
Mon ( )
We do live in a crazy world where people worship entertainers. I guess in a way their lives look far more exciting than ours what with all that money, fame and their perceived perfect lives. You only have to look at MJ and many other entertainers who have trainwreck lives and see that in fact they are no different to the rest of us mere mortals.
Unfortunately it would seem in the media that some lives are far more valuable than others but I think in reality this isn’t the case. The media has alot to answer for and really needs a huge shakup but like that is ever gonna happen. I for one would prefer to hear of the lives tragically lost in a airplane crash or the huge amount of people losing their lives to poverty than of MJ who’s demise although sad seems selfinflicted. You only have to look at the difference in media coverage between MJ and Farrah Fawcett. She did heaps of charity work for women but her coverage was about 1% compared to MJ. Her life was lived quietly as was her death, MJ’s was always in the tabloids and still so in death.
My first thoughts of MJ’s death was how sad that a guy with so much talent ended up the way he did. What with all that money and resources to him. It really is sad. I hope his kids now get to live a fairly normal life so they don’t end up as messed up as he did.
Not sure I have a fav MJ song. There were many good ones. I think ‘Ben’ becoz that was when he still looked like sweet innocent MJ.
Jac
I agree with Gail that we are hypocrites. My first reaction to MJ death was hurray one less kiddie fiddler in the world! As a mother of a sexually abused child I witness daily the turmoil my daughter suffers because of what was done to her. I have always been concerned about MJ’s children, hopefully now they can lead a somewhat more ‘normal’ life. Yes, he was a very talented person, and I feel very sorry for his tormented life, and early death, even if it was self inflicted.
As for the media circus, I just don’t bother with any of it. I exercise my right to turn the TV/Radio off. I get sick and tired of them shoving any major event (as perceived newsworthy by them) down our throats 24/7. I was turned off completely after their coverage of a tragic motor vehicle accident a couple of years ago. They flashed it all over the news bulletins as soon as they could without giving any thought to our family who had not even been informed. (That didn’t happen for another two and a half hours). How do they think the mother and other relatives of the victim felt when they heard of the death on the midday news, and saw footage of the wreck with their loved one still inside.
As a society our priorities are somewhat warped.
Hi, The post below is from my sister-in-law who runs the project in Africa. She is currently there for 3 months in a volunary capacity. By the way I am one of the lurkers you keep referring to but today I thought I would come out of the shadows for the children!!
To members of NAKURU, KENYA FAMILY PROJECT
Susan Saleeba
Today at 2:30pm
Reply
Just over 164 kilometres from Nairobi lay Lake Nakuru, its pink shores can be seen from outer space, home for millions of pink flamingos. Lake Nakuru is listed with the World Heritage as one of Kenya’s most valued sites. The home of both the black and almost extinct white nose rhinoceros , giraffe, lion , zebra and water buffalo. The lake is also one of Kenya’s most visited tourist locations which is vested daily by wealthy tourists as they include his site with their safaris to Masaya Mara.
You can stand atop the small hills and marvel at the view of the lake, turn and you will also see Lake View.
Lake View one of the largest slums in Nakuru. Poverty here cannot be described. The eyes of the children are thick with flies, the shanty homes of those who live are without sanitation, power and water, but these are not essential, food is virtually unavailable.
Food for some is collected from the rubbish dump, rotted and filthy. The children dig alongside their parents in the garbage dumps to find what was left over from another person’s family meal. The children scavenge as the dogs look on.
Coming from Cottesloe, Western Australia visiting LakeView is painfully daunting. The volunteers that accompany me need time to adjust.
I am reminded by my good Kenyan friend Christopher, he himself very familiar with these slums that the dusty rubble road we walk upon was in the 07/08 political uprising lined with dead bodies. The stench hanging in the air as they lay decomposing for days. Children were left homeless, wives now widows hold memories of neighbours brutally murdering with machetes’.
I am ushered through a dirty long cloth door way into a darkened hovel, the space taken up by a single bed, which sleeps seven, but now lays a baby, oblivious to me standing there. I look around this small area and cannot believe how far it is away from my living conditions. The cho cho, or grandmother explains to us in Swahili, to Christoper who in turn tells me of the bloodshed she has seen, the killing of her sons, her husband.
The women before me is 53 but I see the face of a 70 year old standing there. Alongside the doorway lay a plastic bag containing the next meal for the family of 8, food scraps from the bins of those more fortunate.
I spent the remainder of the day meeting families and children from the Lake View area thinking that this must be the worst of the slums but am told that the slums we are to visit next week are even worse, the slum is called Rhonda.
As time goes by Ii will be posting updates of my time here, please help by adding more members to this site by inviting your friends as a friend has invited you. If you too would like to volunteer, simply contact me through this site or http://www.kenya.net.au ….we thank you for your time.
Blow me away, how interesting is Perception?
Whether we subscribe to a certain channel or not is entirely up to us.
A few years ago I use to listen to Radio doom and gloom constantly. Only in my head, but none the less played lots of bad tunes.
How we are perceived and what the reality is are two entirely different things. For the mega superstars and rich how true this would be. Imagine having a photographer in your face 24/7. It is bad enough not being able to get 10 mins away from the family and go to the toilet in peace.(lol all you parents will know what I mean, my kids are 6 and 7 and still barge in whenever they feel like it.)
Can we TRULY imagine it? No way, because the reality is that we get back to our own little space that we inhabit.
Mj had the fortunate/unfortunate,(which ever way you look it) experience of being a presence in peoples lives, whether they liked him or not. For me it all comes back to the fact, that music and dance was what he did, what he loved probably not who he was. Can anyone really ever know anyone else or only what they perceive to be that someone else?
A true pioneer of the industry, and a little boy stuck in a big (not that big I know) boys body. Michael hasn’t been part of my life for a long time now. Maybe that is why I am saddened by his passing. I am shocked that all of a sudden people who I grew up with are dead. I question what I will miss most about my life when I die and it will not be working overtime to pay for something that I don’t really want anyway. Its the cuddles and kisses of my family, the sunrise of a glorious day and its promise that I alone a responsible for making it truly remarkable.
MJ and the Jackson 5 Can you feel it?
RIP
Linda
My thoughts exactly Mr H. We are all still mourning the loss of whole families from Black Sat and it kinda puts it in perspective for me. My first thoughts on MJ oh thats sad, his was the first album I ever bought, but then I thought what about the future for his motherless/fatherless kids and that it was the loss of only one life. I wondered how many 3rd world children that Neverland could have saved. Hmm – celebrating celebrity in our culture seems very odd when an average suburban family can die in their home on a normal Sat afternoon and no-one remembers their names. Well some of us remember and I guess thats the main thing. xx
hi Craig, i have been a long time reader and i am delurking myself to comment on this post
Like everyone i have been shocked by the sudden death of MJ, i grew up with his music and i do think he was extremely talented, however in the last 3 weeks my family has lost a family member (grandmother) and also a close friend. these were both sudden deaths and have left the family in a state of numbness so MJ’s death has rated little more than a blip on my radar (no disrespect to him). i think the reaction to his death is as i expected it to be from fans and the general public but IMO it is a little excessive that it is taking up so much tv time and air time when as you point out there are many tens of thousands of people who also died that same day and every day since and that gets almost no coverage at all.
its saddens me that closer to home we have many older people sitting in nursing homes never receiving a visitor or have anyone show that they are cared about or loved and we have so many homeless people living on the streets, these people are/were someones mother father sister brother friend etc as a society is it easier to turn a blind eye to these people because dealing with them might make us uncomfortable, its seems to me it is easier to show our concern/care/affection towards strangers that really we know little about but idolise none the less because they are in the public eye
sorry Craig i have gone off on a bit of a tangent here…and on that note my favourite Michael Jackson song would be “Heal The World”
I think part of the reason for such widespread shock, sadness and subsequent media coverage of Jackson’s death is that he, as a global performer, is “known” to us all in some way. We own his CD’s, we’ve watched him grow up on TV…
We need to find more ways to make sure that those in our poorest countries of the world are also “known” to us, before we can hope to have a more equal type of reaction to their deaths.
Hi Craig
I’m stepping out into the light for the first time, as you’ve struck a chord with me on this one.
Addressing your questions, in order, because that’s just the kinda girl I am:
1. What are your thoughts about the way we worship people and deifying performers (as we do in our culture)?
Restricting my response to musicians, music has a really big influence on me. A good song (or a bad song associated with a good memory) can lift my mood, give me that extra ‘something’ to keep running or run faster, etc or can unite a group of people who might otherwise have nothing in common. Does this justify the way we idolise them? Not necessarily, but it goes a bit of the way to explaining why we might do it.
2. Are some lives more valuable than others?
No, every life is equally valuable. Every person has the potential to influence others. Of course, not everyone uses that potential and in some cases they influence in a negative way. But the presence of that potential is enough.
Having said that, are some people’s live more valuable to me? Yes. My family and friends (who have influenced me) are more valuable in my life then someone who I haven’t met.
3. Was the response to MJ’s death appropriate? Excessive? Neither?
Who am I to judge? Taking my response to question 2 further, the influence that MJ had on some people may have been life changing to them. And in that case, the out-pouring of grief they have demonstrated would be appropriate.
4. Your fave MJ song?
Can you feel it. It was used on a Jane Fonda exercise record (oh yes, well before the days of the DVD) my mum had and every time I hear the song it reminds me of her (my mum, not Jane Fonda). My mum died when I was 14 so I love things that take me back.
Cheers
Chris
Yes, it is sad that he died. What a waste!
When I was watching the morning news on TV last Friday and reports were just emerging of the death, one of the morning news co presenters referred to the death as “the biggest story……..etc etc” and it brought home to me, just how much the media see his death as a story and a BIG story. Nothing must get in the way of a good story.
Farrah’s death wasn’t quite the same story, absolutely nothing to do with the value of life.
‘The Way You Make Me Feel ‘is my fave, but then again I like ‘Beat It’ too.
Can I have two faves?
I am coming to Melbourne next week from interstate but won’t be there till Tues 7th. So sorry we will miss out on the meet up.
Have a great time and have a teensy bit of cheescake for us. Anything choclatey would be good too.
We can’t save every person or animal in the world.
My beef with all this is that we are forever going adults are responsible for their own lives. Yet at the same time when someone suicides or passes, there is always ‘oooh couldn’t someone have done something?’
Maybe we should be more enabling and co-dependent instead of obsessions with trying to be independent.
Rock With You and Do You Remember The Time
Hi Craig,
You are right, and at the same time you’re a little off track. For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts.
When Steve Irwin died I was more devastated than I thought I could be. Why? I mocked him in life, yet I had to go home from work when I found out the news. See, the thing was, I grew up at Australia Zoo. My Dad worked there and while I never knew Steve, Terri or any member of their family, it was my second home. It was the loss of Australia Zoo I was grieving. The fact that it would be so different from what I remembered. And being a celebrity we all knew Terri, Bindi and Bob, their pain was real, it was real to me having lost a parent, I had seen what Terri would go through because I watched my father go through it. I had seen what his kids would go through because I had gone through it. I knew the pain they would feel and that made my pain even more real.
It also forced me to revisit my own mothers death, something 14 years later I still haven’t got over (I don’t think I ever will).
When Heath Ledger died I couldn’t understand why I was so upset, but then it hit me. He was my age. His daughter is the same age as my daughter. It forced me to confront my own mortality. To look at my own children and see his daughter and wonder how my children would cope without me.
It is for this reason I can allow myself to be upset without guilt at the death of Michael Jackson. I am upset for his children and his family, upset that the music world he changed forever will change again, and upset at yet another needless death due to abuse of drugs.
But why can’t I feel the same for the thousands of children who die each day from abuse, neglect or poverty? Because I simply can’t. If I allowed myself to feel that pain, I would literally become a shell. I would become an overprotective parent. It’s not that I don’t care about these children, I do, but I can’t allow myself to feel that pain, because it would so profoundly affect my life that I wouldn’t be the person I am, I wouldn’t be able to take care of my own family worrying about others.
This may be a good thing? Fran’s sister-in-law feels profoundly because she is there, that is her world. I could become involved, become a volunteer and go overseas and help, but what would become of my family? It is selfish and unfair but that’s how I need to live my life right now.
Individual stories about the latest plane crash are starting to haunt me. My husband has in the past forbidden me to watch coverage of events such as 9/11 and the Tsunami because of the effect they have – I begin grieving for people I don’t know, instead of living for the people who love me and who I love. If we knew every story of every person who died we would no doubt grieve for them. But we can’t live our lives grieving for people we don’t know.
So while the media coverage of MJ’s death might be excessive, it allows us to grieve for whatever part of our lives will be the poorer for his death, celebrate his achievements and move on.
And personally, my favourite MJ song is You Are Not Alone. But then I’m always partial to a good ballad.
Flippidty Heck! That’s a lot of thought and feeling… thanks for sharing guys and to all of our first time commentors – welcome; it’s nice to meet you. Finally!
Keep ‘em coming.
Hi Craig,
Wow! I came back from the gym and a jog and there were 28 comments here! All very interesting reading too.
I think one of the reasons one might feel a little sad about musicians like MJ passing is that they have given us the soundtracks to our lives. If our memories are like a film, then each scene has a certain song attached. I can remember ‘Tainted Love’ at my first school disco, INXS’s ‘Burn for You’ for my first romance (Year 9 for goodness sake), and I remember ‘dancing’ to Thriller at a Blue Light Disco (how embarrassing). We can all recall the significant moments of our lives through music (although smell is just as powerful but don’t get me onto that – I once went out with a guy at school simply because I liked his aftershave. How ridiculous!)
I don’t think it’s right to ‘value’ artists, musicians, actors, writers or other celebrities any more than the next person because each life is intrinsically valuable and precious (“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” – Luke 12:7) . However, some strangers have a greater impact on our lives than others and his or her death is in itself a significant milestone in our lives – we can all remember what we were doing when Princess Diana died, can’t we?
It saddens me that we are so dismissive of tragedies such as the children in the plane crash. The lack of media coverage reflects our society’s Eurocentricity and our selfishness. However, if one has an emotional response to all the tragedy and unnecessary carnage in the world, it can become overwhelming and paralysing (which is counterproductive). Perhaps we should each concentrate on one thing that we can help to change?
Dr Catherine Hamlin’s Fistula Foundation which runs a special hospital for women in Ethiopia is my ‘one thing’. They do amazing work and need all the support they can get. A woman should never lose her baby, her life or her dignity through lack of medical care no matter where she lives.
Sorry this is so long. You do know how to ask the big questions, don’t you?
Christina xxx
ps My favourite Michael Jackson song is ‘Billy Jean’ – what a beat!
Hi Craig,
Ive not commented on anything on your site before so thought i’d give it a go. anyways about your comments. I like everyone else pretty much reacted at first with shock, sadness and then anger with the media and people who had some connection with him coming out and telling their little stories. I feel for his kids i mean he was their father and they loved him and they would be hearing some of what is being said about it. The media and co are like a pack of hyena’s picking at a corpse i mean we may have liked him we may not have but he’s dead let him now rest in peace get on with having a funeral service so everyone can pay their respect and just let all the stories go. It was like when Diana died being such a popular celebrity you have to expect this sort of attention to MJ’s death.
I totally agree with your comments about the thousands of children that are dying every day and no one really seems to care. You feel so hopeless we are so blessed and lucky to be born in a country were we have alot more than what they have but we still manage to whinge about what the gov doesnt do, what this governing body dont do etc but the way i look at it atleast i have a 3 meals a day, a bed and clothes which is alot more than what they have. I am amoungst other causes an oxfam supporter and last year attend a viewing of a doco called The End of Poverty ( http://www.theendofpoverty.com/home.html) in conjunction with a campaign that was happening around the world at the same time called stand up and take action. its blew me away it was so incredibly sad and at the same time made you sick and angry with the unbalaced scales in this world we live in. Basically it talked about the world encomoy and how things evolved started over 500 years ago and how some third world countries are still being exploited by the richer western countries today. How so much money was made from these countries and they are still struggling to this day. They have massive debt and in some countries corrupt politicans who basically are looked after by the wealthy western countries because that enables them to continue reaping the benefits from the poor country. I know some of you may not think agree with these ideas views but hey we all have different ideas on things but its still interesting to view and gives you something to think about.
Back to MJ at the end of the day i think it was expected that this circus around MJ’s death etc would happen the way it has. He had a very sad life really and I believe now those kids will have hopefully a more healthier normal life if that makes sense.
And as for poor Farrah what a beautiful woman having to struggle with such a horrible disease I work at a hospital and we have a palliative care ward and its so unfair when you see such lovely people struck down with cancer. MJ was lucky really to go so quickly because Farrah had a slow death filled with pain. She is now free from that pain bless her…
R.I.P MJ and Farrah may you find peace in the next life.
Dea
p.s one of the songs i like is I want to rock with you
Hi Craig,
Ive not commented on anything on your site before so thought i’d give it a go. anyways about your comments. I like everyone else pretty much reacted at first with shock, sadness and then anger with the media and people who had some connection with him coming out and telling their little stories. I feel for his kids i mean he was their father and they loved him and they would be hearing some of what is being said about it. The media and co are like a pack of hyena’s picking at a corpse i mean we may have liked him we may not have but he’s dead let him now rest in peace get on with having a funeral service so everyone can pay their respect and just let all the stories go. It was like when Diana died being such a popular celebrity you have to expect this sort of attention to MJ’s death.
I totally agree with your comments about the thousands of children that are dying every day and no one really seems to care. You feel so hopeless we are so blessed and lucky to be born in a country were we have alot more than what they have but we still manage to whinge about what the gov doesnt do, what this governing body dont do etc but the way i look at it atleast i have a 3 meals a day, a bed and clothes which is alot more than what they have. I am amoungst other causes an oxfam supporter and last year attend a viewing of a doco called The End of Poverty (www.theendofpoverty.com) in conjunction with a campaign that was happening around the world at the same time called stand up and take action. its blew me away it was so incredibly sad and at the same time made you sick and angry with the unbalaced scales in this world we live in. Basically it talked about the world encomoy and how things evolved started over 500 years ago and how some third world countries are still being exploited by the richer western countries today. How so much money was made from these countries and they are still struggling to this day. They have massive debt and in some countries corrupt politicans who basically are looked after by the wealthy western countries because that enables them to continue reaping the benefits from the poor country. I know some of you may not think agree with these ideas views but hey we all have different ideas on things but its still interesting to view and gives you something to think about.
Back to MJ at the end of the day i think it was expected that this circus around MJ’s death etc would happen the way it has. He had a very sad life really and I believe now those kids will have hopefully a more healthier normal life if that makes sense.
And as for poor Farrah what a beautiful woman having to struggle with such a horrible disease I work at a hospital and we have a palliative care ward and its so unfair when you see such lovely people struck down with cancer. MJ was lucky really to go so quickly because Farrah had a slow death filled with pain. She is now free from that pain bless her…
R.I.P MJ and Farrah may you find peace in the next life.
Dea
p.s one of the songs i like is I want to rock with you
Hi craig,
Thought I would comment because I have been utterly blown away by all of this, and not of MJ’s death, to me he has seemed close to death for the last ten years, there was no shock there but the media coverage! Honestly it took me back to how the news reacted to 9/11. Clearly he was a human being and died and that’s sad but why the hype over a man with a heart attack? Clearly other people have hit the nail on the head, for many years he touched people with his music, invited into peoples homes, heads and hearts through his talent and to people who feel totally disconnected to the rest of the world besides the music (as sad as that is, it happens) I can understand the grief for someone who they don’t personally know.
I think in regards to the mass deaths everyday, it’s much easier for people to put that aside as too big to do anything about so why worry. For this I think the news has something to answer for, we are bombarded from such an early age that we can become de-sensitised to death. We reserve our concern for that which makes a little more impact and put the blinders on to the rest, is that not what the news does also? The news does it to get the ratings, we do it for self preservation I think…
I believe a generation of people who question has started (generation why?) as we ask Why is our planet dying? Why is it “ok” that so many children die each day? Why is the news more worried about one than the other? Why don’t people question the news? Why are the people in charge not asking why as well? We will start to see change, it’s gradually happening already. Everyday we are becoming more and more a global society and as the global consciousness grows the more answers we will find for these issues and the more we will demand honest, proportionate and effective news/media.
Cheers,
CJ
P.S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jpwLSxZrw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3shci_lrP8
These are two songs by Jack Johnson if you have the time. I think his words are very powerful. Basically we get what we demand so lets start demanding better.
WOW, what the hell have you opened up!
Well i think that as we are human it is normal to worship and defy performers (althought some take it too far), And although not all of us do when you consider to massive audience and on time performance they are consitently exposed to I think it is warranted or at least some reward.. no less than people i actually admre in my life….I celebrate them;)
In regards to are some lives more valuable than others although ppl may wish to say NO evidence suggests YES, ie insurance amounts, levies etc and well my understanding is that value is dervied by what is given so YES YES some are.
The resoponse to MH death in my opinion was neither appropriate excessive or neither it jus was… As one of MJ’s ealrier fans my fav song is Billy Jean, emotive! but mostly I just loved the glove!
My thoughts on this is, those who mourn and have strong emotional feelings about the passing of public figures such as MJ, feel like they “know” the public figure in some way. Victims of yet another plane crash are largely anonymous to most people – this doesn’t mean that this lives are of less value. Ultimately every death leaves an impact on those closest on to the dead. So do the births that occur every day.
I’ll readily admit that the Black Saturday bushfires effected me emotionally even though I didn’t lose anyone close to me. I was effected beacuse I have spent time in the areas of Gippsland that burnt and it is pretty close to home – some part sof Gippsland that burnt are about a half hour drive from where I live. Yet when there is the annual report of brushfires in California, I have nowhere the same emotional response because I have nothing that binds me on a personal level to California.
As far as the news reporting goes – ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ – I’m a cynic when it comes to news reporting.
I’ve always been partial to “Thriller” and “Beat It” myself.
Cheers,
P.S for some reason the following Nickelback lyrics, seem to strike a chord for this post –
“My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right”
Hi Craig
I had a similar reaction to yourself. It’s always sad when people die relatively young. However, with all the media coverage and the outpourings of gried, personally, I think it was ‘excessive’.
I think the reason that people react so strongly, is because MJ’s life has been so public, so it’s as though people know him, have followed his story, triumphs, successes, tragedies, scandals, etc. Therefore, people already have a very strong connection. It is also seems to me that artists, whether musical or theatrical tend to have a deeper connection because of how the artists’ work taps into people’s psyche and resonates so strongly.
As opposed to the many poor people and children who die throughout the world, with little thought to their future lives, talents and potential – well, I suppose because the way in which the media place so little significance on these events, and don’t explore the real tragedy of them, we’re not visibly exposed to the deeper feelings that make those stronger connections apparent.
Anyway…that’s my two cents worth.
KerryW
OMG – I know I shouldn’t comment again – this site might explode if there is too much more here, BUT I was SO moved by your sister-in-law’s post Fran – thank you and thanks to her for posting it and please send her some love and gratitude from us here at home. She is an amazing person.
When I saw Slumdog MIllionaire a few months ago – I realised that I really did not know what the word ‘Slum’ defined. I think (before that movie) that I actually had a perception that could be defined as an ‘idealised slum’ in my mind – poverty, disease, no education, little food – in reality it is so much worse (and disturbing) than that.
I know we can’t all run away, leave our own kids & families and go over and help the dying – I have read what other mothers have said and I concur. I too understand totally and agree wholeheartedly with what you think and feel – that is how heart wrenching and disturbing it is for us all to face. I am a mega wimp – I can’t even watch an anti smoking ad without wanting to cry!
And to think, I used to work as a nurse!!
My point is that we CAN all still be effective agents for change – we can teach our own kids about the imbalance in the world, we can address the impartiality of others and make them, too, think and question (like Craig does to us !! – BIG TIME, today.) We simply CANT (and I don’t think ANYONE here is) be indifferent – we should spread the word, tell others how we feel and think, speak up more, let governments and politicians know – it’s not good enough.
‘Evil only exists where good people do (or say) nothing’
I think your comment Dea from Sydney was so true – I’m off to check out that video you posted. Not sure how much more content your site can take today Craig…but what an awesome commenting day it’s been. See ya (I promise I won’t be back till Monday, no matter what I read!!) Mon ( )
I was discussing the exact same thing with a client earlier this week. We both thought we had dreamt the news about the plane crash, the coverage was so brief and I think had there not been a survivor we would have heard even less.
I am saddened that the life (and death) of every human being is not equal.
I thought the whole MJ reaction was over the top. One girl was crying “he’s like my family… how will I cope”. Like come on, please!!!! I thought he was a musical genius, but a very strange, bizarre human being. I can’t say it will change my life in the slightest that he is now gone. I do remember watching the news thinking “well at least he’s managed to shift ‘utegate’ off the top story”.
Like you, I find it appalling that a few people’s deaths are given so much attention simply because they are famous, and thousands of other human beings, whose lives are equally valuable, die every day without so much as a second thought (except to their loved ones, of course). I see the starving children on the news and adds, and it breaks my heart – I sponsor 3 girls in different countries for that very reason – because they should have as much of a chance as anyone at having a decent life, education, good food, and some clean water. Because someone can sing (act, marry a royal, say ‘crikey’ – whatever) does not make them more valuable than any other human being. And money doesn’t buy happiness – clearly MJ was not happy, and I’m sorry, but even with his millions he couldn’t even buy a decent plastic surgeon!
MJ was an amazing musician who had 50 years on this planet to experience life, love, suffering, privilege, achievement, disappointment, joy and all other aspects of the human experience.
Every single day, all over the world,because of abuse, neglect and ignorance little children are denied the opportunities that Mr Jackson had for 50 years.
He had a good run – now if only we could harness this out pouring of emotion for one man and use it to help all those tiny little lives that can’t help themselves.
We human beings are a very strange lot.
i was still thinking about this topic tonight and this quote sprung to mind “To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.” i think its saying you might seem like a nobody to most people but to that one person you are everything and to that person your life is incredibly valuable (more so than ANY well known person), at least i hope that is the case !
wow i did well, never posted before and managed two in one day !
great comments, has been very interesting to read them
Ok I did not get to read all the comments cause there’s by now 42 of them. But I think some people life such sad and miserable lifes themselves that they “life” their lives through famous people, therefor the outcry and sadness, they become so obsessed with everything this person does that they forget to life their own to the best they can. I wonder if they feel they have lost part of their “dream”?
I dunno, just wondering.
did anyone see Current Affair (or was it today tonight? I tend to switch) last night – that Jason Jackson… His whole life has been obsessed by MJ – so much so that he even looks a lot like him (bizarre nose and all) – very freaky stuff. He will make lots of money, but I don’t envy him in the slightest. I actually felt sorry for him as I don’t think he has any identity of his own. I was horrified to hear that he is 35yo.
I admit, I was a big fan of the Jackson Five, and Michael especially, back in the day. This influence is a lot of the reason I love music still! I branched out into other music genres as I was growing up, but ‘Thriller’ (which came out when I was about 20) renewed my interest in Michael all over again! Yes, back home at my mother’s house, I have several Michael Jackson and Jackson Five albums! In the years since ‘Thriller’ I’ve grown up, gotten married, raised children and gone about the daily activities of adult life, and had not kept up with what Michael was doing over the years. Sure, I heard about all the scandals (I rarely watch TV, nor have I really for about 20 years.), but gave it about as much credence as most of the media fodder out there every day. My personal opinion has long been that he is an incredibly creative and talented entertainer, but that the media should just leave him alone. We should just be satisfied with what he shared with the world, and let him go about his private life in peace. It’s a shame that it took his death to finally bring him the peace he craved. I’ve always loved music, but don’t really get involved in the lives of celebrities, and the media’s treatment of Michael Jackson is a lot of the reason. Having seen how they’ve tortured him over the years, I feel bad for him, and other public figures, whose every word and move is broadcast, picked apart, analyzed and exploited for all the world to see. Just because these people have chosen to share their talent with us does not mean we own them, or that we’re entitled to know everything about their private lives. Would we want our own private lives played out in the media? I think not!
As for those questions:
1. Being a music lover, I tend to feel more strongly toward musicians than, say, TV or movie stars or sports figures. But again, I think we should all be satisfied with the talent these people are willing to share with us, and leave it at that. Yes, it’s easy to become enamoured with people who are beautiful and talented and famous, because we all think it would be so cool to have all that. But what price do they pay? I think what we all really want is to be known for who we truly are, and to be acknowledged for that. Egotistical? Maybe, but also very, very human. Michael was acknowledged by millions all over the world, and used his renown to bring public attention to world issues, and to help as many as he could. But despite all the media’s speculation, I don’t think anybody knew who he truly was.
2. In human terms, no one life is more valuable than any other life. That said, as others have mentioned, there are lives that are more valuable to us as individuals than others. We put more personal value on the lives of those who have an impact on us, than we do on the lives of strangers we’ve never heard of. Patrick Swayze’s battle with cancer has had more of an impact on me than that of Farrah Fawcett, because I am a fan of one and not so much the other. Yes, it’s sad to see how a once beautiful woman has been ravaged by a disease that ultimately took her life, but to say that she was really significant to me, now that she’s gone, would be a lie. Michael Jackson, on the other hand, was significant to me, as I had been a fan of his music from a very young age. And I had been immersed in the coverage of his death (but since I get my news on-line, I can choose what I want to hear or not), until the death of my mother-in-law, just a few days later, eclipsed all of this. No, she’s not a famous celebrity, but she is more personally significant to ME, than Michael. So, I think the value of anything, on a personal level, whether a possession or a human life, is based on its significance in the life of the individual.
3. I am displeased by all the muck-raking involved in the media coverage of Michael’s death, but I admit I have followed with great interest the coverage of interviews with his family and friends who have had wonderful, loving things to say about him. To me, it’s not that important how he died, or even how he lived. But the impact he had on the lives of others? That’s his legacy! After all, that’s the only way any of us will be remembered! And I’ve enjoyed looking back over his musical contributions, both those I loved growing up, and those I missed along the way. Such an incredible talent! I’m so glad he chose to share it with us!
4. My favorite MJ song is ‘Beat It’. I’ve long been a fan of heavy metal (Yeah, kinda wierd for a 46 year old woman!), and Eddie VanHalen’s wicked guitar riffs in this song just set it on fire!
Sorry about the novel! Well, no, I’m not. Not really. You’re probably getting used to them by now!
Have a great weekend everyone! And Craig, thanks for always asking the questions I really need to answer!
Sandra in Virginia, US
As a society we worship at the altar of Celebrity.
We refer to them by the first names, as though we plan to drop in to have coffee with them on a regular basis. We fill television programs, radio shows and magazines by the truckload with their activities (real and imagined), love lives, speculation as to whether they’re gaining/losing weight, or how many women have been assaulted by a football player this week.
We place them on a pedestal and then feel betrayed if they prove not to be the paragon of virtue that we expected them to be. We berate the paparazzi for being parasites, then rush out to buy the latest copy of Who Weekly so we can get our celebrity gossip fix and guarantee them an endless market for their tacky wares.
Music, films, great sporting events and other cultural references form a backdrop and soundtrack to our lives, reminding us of other times, of people and situations who have had an impact on us. We connect with a song (and therefore the singer) on an emotional level.
Every death we experience or hear about is a reminder of our own mortality. But to mourn the death of someone like Michael Jackson in the same way as you would mourn the passing of a loved one is ludicrous. The loss of Michael Jackson the musician and entertainer is undeniable to those who enjoyed his talent. But I didn’t love Michael Jackson the man – I didn’t know him. He has always struck me as being a tortured soul. I feel sorry for his family and friends, but I can’t feel any personal grief.
My vote is for Do You Remember the Time
I am about to make a somewhat sweeping statement using ‘we’ but I am referring to only a percentage of the population not all!
We have become the main link in the chain! “We” – the community, feed off the death of celebrities.Over the years, society has created a morbid fascination with knowing everything about them – we simply cannot get enough. You look at the current visiting celeb Tom and Katie, the Hearld Sun is asking people to phone in any sightings of the couple and of course “we” will oblige! If we didn’t really want this to occur, then newspapers and mags would not produce articles based on their deaths, marriages, births, sightings etc they would focus on something else that matters to us, like the RYL2 with Craig! LOL
As a guru once told me – keep it real and so I hope that I (we) continue to endeavour to look for the magic in the ordinary.
Hope the Melbourne catch up went well.
All the best Mares x
Damn! I missed the coffee shop thingy!
I thought it was next week. I have been away to Rocky and lost my bearings.
I don’t watch the news. It makes me cringe with the shallowness of the media.
I love Micheal Jacko. Thriller was the best. The whole album.
I was never a huge fan of Michael Jackson’s but I respected the impact he made in the music industry. I have to admit I was slightly caught off guard by his death, but even more so by the reaction. I’m 22 and Michael’s peaked around the time I was born. That’s why I was so surprised to see people younger than me out on the streets crying over his death while watching the news. It’s probably the biggest celebrity death since that of Princess Diana.
I don’t know what happens when we die but I hope he can find peace wherever he is.
It’s upsetting, but this guy just can’t take it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyTBXzfQJ8
Oh noes!
I missed the meet?
Next time…
Hope you are keeping well!
xx