Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Michael Jackson Dead

A greater portion of his adult life was spent as a freakshow celebrity than as a relevant artist.

Bea Arthur?

And that Vegas guy.

I can honestly say that I am not effected in any way by his death (or most celebs for that matter). It doesn't mean that I don't feel bad for the families that are grieving, but they are still *just* people after all.

I know that most people disagree with me, and that's cool. I'm not saying that people can't be sad or whatever, just that even if a celeb that I actually really enjoyed their entertainment, I'd miss their entertainment but that's about it... Sorry does go out to you die hard fans though.

I can't say I ever listened to his music or ever will but he is probably the most popular musician (sigh) worldwide...errr singer/dancer to die since John Lennon. He has certainly left a mark in music history.

I'm with you Nick. The exception will be Niel Young, but thats because he inspired me to pick up the guitar.

I'm with Nick and Fred, with exception to those who are concerned with the betterment of humanity.

As has been said, I've never been that big into his adult career, but I did listen to a best of the Jackson 5 CD coincidentally earlier in the week and have to admit he was extraordinarily talented as a child.

I DO think it's sad the way society has a tendency to make celebrities so much bigger than life and then, once they're big, tear them down because they're too big.

For all his adult weirdness, and I HAVE been vocal about that weirdness to friends over the years, I try to remember that it's likely that we made him that way. How easy it must be to lose touch with reality when you're under a microscope since your childhood, have access to virtually unlimited money, are surrounded by "yes men", idolized by the public, and separated from them at the same time.

I'm not defending him, but I DO think it's us that made him that way.

Will all due respect Mark, saying that anyone but himself is responsible for his own actions is, well imo ridiculous .

We as a society should take personal responsibility a bit more serious. To blame anyone else for ones actions is a cop out.

Mark, I agree.

When I was 9 or 10 I really liked the Jackson 5, and listened to ABC123, I'll Be There, etc. No Disco collection would be complete without Off The Wall, and Thriller was influential in the whole 80s MTV genre. It's remarkable that he was so big in so may eras, but I can't say I listen to any of his stuff anymore.

What I find fascinating though, is that he was the prime example of this cultural phenomenon of celebrity worship. Primarily American, but to some degree a worldwide phenomenon, we tend to worship celebrities, and celebrity, some to the point of living vicariously through them. This tends to ruin them as people. The most recent example of this is Lindsay Lohan. It's fascinating to watch, like a trainwreck.