I’m guilty too. I don’t intend this to be an indictment but the recent frenzy over Michael Jackson’s death reminds me that we’re a weird society. He was a brilliant entertainer and someone who shifted and created culture. No doubt about it. But the amount of attention that is focused on his life and death seems a little peculiar to me. Four former Presidents have died in my lifetime with each receiveing less attention than Michael Jackson combined.
To put it in perspective for me, I compare how he has impacted my life in relation to other people. Like my high school art teacher, Mr. Freeman, who encouraged me to pursue a career using my talents. Or my high school soccer coach, Coach Kollmai, who taught me to trust my mates and work as a unified machine. Or my third grade math teacher, Mrs. Enders, who gave extra effort to make sure I learned multiplication. People who make lasting impressions on how we live our lives. These people often pass away quietly and anonymously with the attention of family and a few friends.
Why don’t we spend as much effort to celebrate their lives? Maybe we’re weird. Or maybe I’m just weird.
July 8, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Seems so long ago when I actually cared about MJ’s music. It certainly brings back memories.
Of course if I had a 50 year old single male neighbor who sometimes wore a cape, walked around with an umbrella, had little kids coming in and out of his house, I would call the cops. I’m just saying.
July 8, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Note to self: Don’t move next door to Todd.
July 13, 2009 at 10:36 am
[...] A thought about the Michael Jackson media frenzy and Crowson has a visual take on the same subject. [...]