Certainly there are some problems with aging. Body parts do not work as well, technology is confusing, even language changes, as well as art and music. Frankly, I like the Back Street Boys, and the kids that hit the trashcans are interesting but although I give rap it's place----it is not my "thing" if that is still a word being used. What I don't get is the days and days about the death of Michael Jackson. I readily admit that I did not particularly care for his music, but I never really cared for Elvis either. I was introduced to music at a very early age, Beethoven, Chopin, Bing Crosby, a bit of opera, country, and blue grass and obviously Jackson was an icon but I am willing to bet, if James Taylor had died, it would have been covered in one day. Now let us be clear, Taylor is not only a master of the guitar but also an extremely gifted songwriter who was famous before Michael Jackson was in Jr. High. What does this have to say about our culture and us as a people? One might ask, "What culture"? I guess pop culture would be appropriate but I don't remember the death of JFK being played as much and after all, he was the President of the United States.
Certainly the 24/7 news cycle we live in plays a huge part, but that cannot be the total explanation for the reaction of so many. As add revenues have disappeared competition has become more fierce than ever, and journalistic standards have been abandoned, we have become desensitized to what we see and hear. At one time, "damn" was hardly ever used and now there seems to be no standard at all. I guess I can say, "its hell getting old" without being troubled. Is this worship of an obviously disturbed, and manipulated individual an indictment of ourselves? Are we so starved for something that is missing in our own lives that we have to live vicariously through another, regardless of who and what that person has done or stood for? Is it the same mentality that led people to follow James Jones to their deaths? It would seem that the celebrity crowd felt if they did not make long public dissertations about Jackson that they might lose market share. Black leaders must have also felt the same. And who would want and 11 year old child, who has never spoken in public to suddenly be pushed to the front row, speak emotionally and to be supported by the crowd around her? It certainly looks like "show business" and every would be, 'wanna be', and big bee's were there. Do I believe this extravaganza was more about being seen than about Jackson, as someone of little mental acumen recently made famous, "you betcha". Fortunately, PBS the News Hour, had this story number 5 behind the President being in Russia, making history, and China where Han Chinese are suffering. Remind me to renew my pledge.
Gin Arnold is a 70 year old liberal living in Cotacachi, Ecuador after living in S. Alabama. I have owned several businesses, lived aboard a 32 foot sailing yacht, been a bar tender, boat captain, short order cook, and imported furniture from (
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