Ok folks. . . .Michael Jackson has died. Yes it true. The one gloved, (alleged) kid touching, ferris wheel owning, talented musician/artist/dancer, moonwalking freak show has moved on.
What does this mean? Not too much. But apparently according to everything I surround myself with it means a lot. My technology news sites are running articles about Michael, major news outlets are flooded with Michael news, tributes on TV are coming up on prime time, and just about everything on twitter and facebook was MJ related for hours upon end. Why? Why does this mans life mean SO much? Does society really care or are we a bunch of sheep repeating (retweeting) the same things because that's what other before us have done.
I go to sites like Mashable to read technology news. News about new startups, web 2.0, and as their site proclaims "Social Media News and Web Tips." I don't care to read "Perez Hilton’s Despicable Michael Jackson Coverage Creates Backlash" Come on . . . Really? This is not a technology / Hollywood gossip blog. I don't care to read why some douche bags comments are hurting social media. Really? With the number of blogs out there anymore and the number of hurtful, despicable, hate groups formed everyday we are going to say that Perez Hilton is hurting the blog revolution. Focus people. Stick to what you do best . . . . Here's a hint . . .That isn't social commentary. Perez Hilton will be still be followed on twitter and his blog frequented by ravenous people that can only live vicariously through others.
Looking at another one of my daily reads TechCrunch I come across a grossly exaggerated title of The Web Collapses Under The Weight Of Michael Jackson’s Death WAIT!!! WHAT??? How and when did the web collapse. The tubes going into my house seemed to work fine all night. I was able to watch an MLB.com gamecast of the Pirates outing one out against the Indians (haha your bullpen is worse than ours), shop for a scooba, do a little work over my wireless tubes. Funny . . I didn't see the "Web collapse." Maybe I'm special though.
My point? I'm not sure. Maybe it is the fact that no one thinks for themselves anymore. Everyone wants to fit in. No one wants to have that Purple Cow that will stand out and get noticed. I know its hard, and risky to go out there and find a new story amongst all the gimmes that surround us everyday, but damn . . .give it a shot.
Folks on twitter, facebook, myspace, friendfeed, everywhere . . .why did Michael mean so much to you? Why did his life as an entertainer that hasn't done anything in years except for prove what a freak he is effect you so damned deeply? How many times over the past few years have we seen this man make a fool of himself, put his kids lives at risk, put himself in situations that a grown man should not be in (sleeping with children), and being a general weirdo? Too many in my opinion. He had become a joke. We have all made jokes about him (Where did he go to high school . . . Dubois . . .Where did he go to college "Bringem' Young" - yes I know its Brigham). And I'm betting that should he have tried to move into your neighborhood you would not have wanted this man anywhere near your kids, your family, or your friends.
Does my opinion of all this change the fact that he was talented? Not in the slightest. I will never take away from him what he deserves. He was talented, he was fun, entertaining (sometimes like a train wreck is entertaining), but he was only a "man." (that debate come later) It has been said by many people before me and will be said by many after me. But lets put this life in perspective with those of a local football coach that teaches hard work, or a soldier that gives us freedom, or a teacher that gives direction and knowledge are forgotten and overridden by this man.
Maybe our world, and his children's lives are, will be slightly better without him around. (Yeah that was calous . . .so what) They will have the money, but not the freak show disaster of a father.
Don't misunderstand . . .Any death is tragic. A man leaving behind a family, 3 kids, a ton of money, and a ferris wheel is no joke. There is no doubt pain in the Jackson family today. Many MJ acquaintances, friends, business associates are hurt, and sad by the loss. As well they should be. Compare his life to an American soldier, a local firefighter, a youth football coach, a teacher. Who is really important in our society? Who gives the most and gets the most out of people. Michael may have brought us smiles, and relief with his entertaining, but he also brought us fabricated Hollywood bullshit drama. YAY for that right? Michael entertained many people, for many years, in many ways. Dancing, singing, strange plastic surgery, catching on fire, dangling kids, moonwalking, wearing masks, wasting time in court, strange interviews, spending money like it grows on trees, and being completely strange.
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