Michael Jackson's untimely death is unfortunate, but his passing has taken on a life of its own, and just as strange as the entertainer's life. We've seen a lot of major entertainers pass over the years, such as Sinatra, Elvis, and John Lennon, but I don't think we've seen anything that quite measures on the Richter scale like Jackson's death. Normally funerals are quiet and dignified affairs reserved for family and close friends, but Jackson's service was more of a three ring circus, commanding the media's air waves and causing a lock down in Los Angeles, both on the ground and in the air. I don't think we've seen anything quite like this before, and hopefully we won't again.
The frenzy behind his passing makes you wonder if his fans are mourning or celebrating. It also tells us a lot about our society and its values. For example:
Although the coroner's report has not yet been published, his death most likely will be linked to drugs. This certainly won't be the first or last time an entertainer succumbs to drugs; e.g., Belushi, Elvis, Garland, Ledger, etc. Undeniably, there is a drug culture in the entertainment industry, something we've known all along yet do nothing about. What message does this send when all of our popular entertainers are hooked on drugs? Also if the media is run by drugs, how does it influence our perspectives and lives?
Jackson's death also tells us how sensational our press really is. To illustrate, it was difficult, if not impossible, to find a channel on television that wasn't covering some aspect of the story. Lot's of conjecture, load's of speculation, but few facts. Then there were the media pigs, like Al Sharpton, who seized on the opportunity to gain exposure for themselves. It seems that every entertainer who ever had a close or remote encounter with Jackson was interviewed. As an aside, I thought it was funny that everyone claimed they were his best friend. I wonder where they were during his trial.
In addition to promoting entertainers, Jackson's passing represents a marketing bonanza for people who want to profit from his death, e.g., selling of Jackson related paraphernalia, scalping tickets, etc. eBay alone has literally thousands of Jackson items for sale. Believe me, these people are more interested in the almighty dollar than Jackson's demise.
I find it curious how his fans have blind faith in an entertainer with questionable moral values. We saw such allegiance by his fans outside of his infamous child molestation trial in 2003. His public persona was defined by his soft talking, his skin bleaching, the white glove and grabbing his crotch during performances, his views on marriage and children, sleeping in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, purchasing the remains of the elephant man, etc. Regardless of whether any of this is true or not, the public's perception was that something was "Wacko with Jacko." Nevertheless, his loyal fans quickly forgave and forgot, which makes me wonder what lessons he taught them. For example, is it okay to emulate a man who didn't pay his bills and incurred substantial debt?
If anything, Jackson's death tells us how perverted and powerful the entertainment industry is, and how easily people can be swayed like lemmings. Does Jackson deserve all this attention, even in death? He was certainly not a President or head of state, nor an inventor, builder or Nobel Prize winner. Regardless how good you think he was, he was nothing more than an entertainer of questionable moral character. And the world applauds this? Boy, have we got our priorities messed up.
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Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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Copyright © 2009 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
Dear Brother Tim,
ReplyDeleteGreat article. I agree with you and have given this same topic much thought. The day after Mr. JAckson died I went to pick up some things from Walmart. I parked and saw two young girls weeping by their car. They had to be 18-23. I noticed a middle aged gentleman with his shoulders on both of them. I started walking toward the car to protect these young ladies if they were in harm's way. I got close enough to hear they were listening to a Michael Jackson song, sobbing and saying to each other "he is dead. "He is gone" It was unbelievable..
Sincerely & Respectfully,
Manny Blanco
Tim, you are so spot on with this. Really, is this where we put our hope in heroes these days?
ReplyDeleteInteresting. You left out someone really important. Rush Limbaugh. Remember, when he got busted his fans also rallied behind him. We didn't reject him in any manner. He was still Rush. Same goes for Elvis, Beluchi, Ledger and now, Jackson. These guys provide us with happiness, fun, joy and that good American want, "The Pursuit of Happiness". That thing that makes us want to do more. The real dogs are the licensed AMA drug pushers that pass their poison onto our trouble and often confused Stars.
ReplyDeleteThe life and death of Michael Jackson was sad. He was one of a line of people, entertainers, politicians, teachers, athletes who had, and wanted, more sparkle than substance. People who have the ability to sway others, to influence public opinion, without the substance to know what direction to take the public in.
ReplyDeleteMichael Jackson was used during his youth, and learned how to survive. He learned how to achieve success in the world of form without substance. He produced art. No judgement as to the quality of the art. His person was part of the canvas on which his art was formed. He tried to create himself as a unique work in itself. He believed he was creating his world, but he was still being used, even in death, for the benefit of those who had run so much of his life. He lived mostly in reaction.
Michael Jackson's death has provided the world with a way to avoid looking at the important things. This isn't news any more than the O.J. Simpson trial was, but it fascinates, and takes peoples' mind off the economy, the war, politics, and political failures. It's today's "Lost White Girl," story.
As to the uniqueness of the world's reaction to it? My grandmother was quite proud of waiting for hours to file by Rudolf Valentino's coffin, and the City was shut down for that.
Tain't new. Just latest.
Steve Brettell
I saw a note in the newspaper the other day that said, "Michael Jackson will be missed like anchovies in a hamburger!"...
ReplyDeleteFrancis
Edmonton, Canada