Psychology of Celebrity Death

Garpal Gumnut · 27 June 2009

I am surprised by the reaction to Michael Jackson's death by many regular posters on ASF.

I'm no trickcyclist but am taken by the sincerity of peoples grief and surprised by the depth of their suffering.

It reminds me of the reaction to Princess Diana's death when a world swoon ensued and flowers were piled up at Clarence House gates by a bereft populace.

Perhaps people invest a part of themselves in celebrities and when they die they lose that part to an existential angst.

The fact that Diana and Michael were very flawed creatures with a litany of allegations of their dubious amoral conduct prior to death, appears to have been forgotten or ignored by the mourners.

Perhaps those affected might be able to explain their feelings so that those of us who do not feel that pain, may be better able to understand it.

gg

darkside · 27 June 2009

GG , great question , i suppose i can only guess as to the reason but i feel that as we grow up we see these celebritys as part of our life, it becomes like an era of time for us.
when Elvis died my parents were distraught , i honestly thought he must have been a family member, but it's because they grew up with him , they remember that time of life when his music was on the "wireless" their dreams and hopes at that stage of life .
With Michael Jackson , i remember being at school , listening to his music , and for me that was a great time of life, when he died , part of that time went with him, it's a bit like people being so sentimental towards the 70s or 80s in their love of music , it represents a time when they were at their happiest and things seemed fun and easy.

Stan 101 · 27 June 2009

Very intersting ndeed.
It will certainly worthy of a read if buddha forbid, a footballer dies in his prime, after the berating they have received of late (me, too one of the berators).

Also interesting to hear the calls of the Chaser to leave Jackoson alone from those who just recently were staunch supporters of their wit, no matter what.

Interesting.

Garpal Gumnut · 27 June 2009

Garpal Gumnut said:
I am surprised by the reaction to Michael Jackson's death by many regular posters on ASF.

I'm no trickcyclist but am taken by the sincerity of peoples grief and surprised by the depth of their suffering.

It reminds me of the reaction to Princess Diana's death when a world swoon ensued and flowers were piled up at Clarence House gates by a bereft populace.

Perhaps people invest a part of themselves in celebrities and when they die they lose that part to an existential angst.

The fact that Diana and Michael were very flawed creatures with a litany of allegations of their dubious amoral conduct prior to death, appears to have been forgotten or ignored by the mourners.

Perhaps those affected might be able to explain their feelings so that those of us who do not feel that pain, may be better able to understand it.

gg

darkside said:
GG , great question , i suppose i can only guess as to the reason but i feel that as we grow up we see these celebritys as part of our life, it becomes like an era of time for us.
when Elvis died my parents were distraught , i honestly thought he must have been a family member, but it's because they grew up with him , they remember that time of life when his music was on the "wireless" their dreams and hopes at that stage of life .
With Michael Jackson , i remember being at school , listening to his music , and for me that was a great time of life, when he died , part of that time went with him, it's a bit like people being so sentimental towards the 70s or 80s in their love of music , it represents a time when they were at their happiest and things seemed fun and easy.

So basically you are saying that people incorporate the celebrity into their own life story, as they do their own family.

They take all the good memories and fun they had from the celebrity and discount the bad things the celebrity has done.

As they do with their own family members, forgiving their weakness.

gg

trainspotter · 27 June 2009

Isn't it abhorrent how society suddenly forgives or forgets the less tasteful things that celebrities do whilst they are alive once they have shuffled off this mortal coil? Michale Jackson classic example. Admittedly he was acquitted of the paedophile charges but since his death I swear he was an altruistic saint who was the most talented performer that God ever shovelled guts into and should have also received a Pulitzer prize for his songs and a Nobel Peace prize for being such a passionate humanitarian to young children and chimpanzees. Gosh ... we should canonize him ... Saint Michael has a nice ring to it.

Garpal Gumnut · 27 June 2009

MrBurns said:
I never gave him a second thought in recent years but now he's gone you realise he was with you all the way through a certain period in your life.

That thought from Burnsie would fit in with your comment below Darkside on how people are responding to Michael Jackson's death

GG , great question , i suppose i can only guess as to the reason but i feel that as we grow up we see these celebritys as part of our life, it becomes like an era of time for us.
when Elvis died my parents were distraught , i honestly thought he must have been a family member, but it's because they grew up with him , they remember that time of life when his music was on the "wireless" their dreams and hopes at that stage of life .
With Michael Jackson , i remember being at school , listening to his music , and for me that was a great time of life, when he died , part of that time went with him, it's a bit like people being so sentimental towards the 70s or 80s in their love of music , it represents a time when they were at their happiest and things seemed fun and easy.

gg

Gordon Gekko · 27 June 2009

When someone dies it forces us to recognize that we are all closer to the worms each and everyday. When someone like MJ or someone we relate through by pop culture its makes me think have I done the best I could with my life. Have I lead a life truly less ordinary? And how much time do I have to do something that will be remembered for ages. Or will I just end up being a face in the crowd?

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,

Best

G

Julia · 27 June 2009

Garpal Gumnut said:
So basically you are saying that people incorporate the celebrity into their own life story, as they do their own family.

They take all the good memories and fun they had from the celebrity and discount the bad things the celebrity has done.

As they do with their own family members, forgiving their weakness.

gg

It's not at all like that for me. I've never incorporated any celebrity into my life pattern.

I think why I have found this sad is firstly the shock factor i.e. it was completely unexpected in its suddenness, and secondly just the sad sort of character Michael Jackson seemed to be, despite all his musical success and earning capacity.

When I remember him as a cute 8 year old with the Jackson Five, all wholesome bounce and bubble, and then consider the deterioration we've all witnessed as his life unfolded, I guess I feel he's an example of someone who had so much but yet had nothing. And that's simply sad.

Calliope · 27 June 2009

I heard Molly Meldrum say that the news of Jackson's death was the biggest shock he'd had since he heard the news of John Lennon's death. What sort of narrow minded pathetic creature would consider Jackson's death more shocking than 9/11.

Thanks darkside

darkside · 27 June 2009

Calliope said:
I heard Molly Meldrum say that the news of Jackson's death was the biggest shock he'd had since he heard the news of John Lennon's death. What sort of narrow minded pathetic creature would consider Jackson's death more shocking than 7/11.

Quick , before the "edit box" goes , if my memory serves me correct it was 9/11, i know i was there.

Tink · 27 June 2009

Calliope said:
I heard Molly Meldrum say that the news of Jackson's death was the biggest shock he'd had since he heard the news of John Lennon's death. What sort of narrow minded pathetic creature would consider Jackson's death more shocking than 7/11.

Molly Meldrum is in the music industry - he has met Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson confided in him..when the media was being a pack of mongrels...

MRC & Co · 27 June 2009

Gordon Gekko said:
And how much time do I have to do something that will be remembered for ages.

But why do you care? Why does everybody want to go down in 'history' (is it only because it is fed to them in movies like "Troy" and the speeches made by characters such as Archilles)? We have only been around for 50,000 years, out of a total predicted Universe life of 14.5 billion years. The human race will not live forever. So there is no point as 'history' will simply be wiped clear.

I can understand someone wanting to do something big to inspire others, but that's about it.

darkside · 27 June 2009

MRC & Co said:
But why do you care? Why does everybody want to go down in 'history' (is it only because it is fed to them in movies like "Troy" and the speeches made by characters such as Archilles? We have only been around for 50,000 years, out of a total predicted Universe life of 14.5 billion years. The human race will not live forever. So there is no point as 'history' will simply be wiped clear.

I can understand someone wanting to do something big to inspire others, but that's about it.

Ahh, that is known as the "ice ball" theory, supposedly in another 50 000 years or so , the earth will just be a frozen rock again
hurtling through space , and no one will remember what anyone did or why they did it , although i'm guessing that 50,000 years cant come quick enough for good old EC . !!!!

MRC & Co · 27 June 2009

darkside said:
Ahh, that is known as the "ice ball" theory, supposedly in another 50 000 years or so , the earth will just be a frozen rock again
hurtling through space , and no one will remember what anyone did or why they did it , although i'm guessing that 50,000 years cant come quick enough for good old EC . !!!!

Yes, many reasons could wipe us out and I have no doubt (despite how bad it may sound) that we will be wiped out in time.

Which begs a colossol question, why are we here? To be good? To experience many different things? To be happy? I can't see any option but that of the last.

Sorry off topic, Gekkos statement is just one I always think about when I hear this punch line of going down in history in so many movies.

trainspotter · 27 June 2009

MRC & Co said:
Yes, many reasons could wipe us out and I have no doubt (despite how bad it may sound) that we will be wiped out in time.

Which begs a colossol question, why are we here? To be good? To experience many different things? To be happy? I can't see any option but that of the last.

Sorry off topic, Gekkos statement is just one I always think about when I hear this punch line of going down in history in so many movies.

If the bible is to be believed we are here for God's pleasure. So the next question is…why? After all, He is God, and as such, He certainly doesn't need us for anything -- so why did He create us? To be happy? Surely not.

To procreate and populate the earth? Sounds like an ecumenical matter to me.

Google rummage for an answer and let us know when you find out.

I like the theory of "live fast, die young and leave a good looking corpse

Gordon Gekko · 27 June 2009

Its a matter of perception.
Some aspire to be an olympic swimmer, a movie star and policemen, whatever.
Its these people that set the bar high, that keep people challenging themselves to whats possible in life. It's these individuals who cause people to have a paradigm shift in there daily life and think to themselves of all the options available, however remote, to dream.

For me I like to set impossible goals and when I met them I am actually a bit pissed off because it wasn't that difficult and then its on to the next challenge.

This man for all his faults challenged people to dream and it should be a goal of all of us to be celebrated for such works, so that future generations will be inspired to act for what they believe is right.

If there is a global ice age and now one remembers well then I guess were all ****ed!

Best

G

Green08 · 27 June 2009

I was not a die hard 24 / 7 fan of late. For me it was the shock of waking up and most news channels are running the paramedics to the hospital and the story unfolding.

We all have different taste and ages, Michael was a major influence to me in the 70's and 80's. I loved the beat would dance, it was resease from my own problems.

Depends if you believe the charges.

People say he is such a flawed individual, there are plenty out there. I think he was doing OK for the number of years in the industry, commitments and other issues. Better than alot there

If a famous person died I could not relate to in sport or any part of life I didn't engage in then I would feel indifferent. I'm sure you all have your favourites but don't even understand how shocked and sad you would be if they passed away. You can't predict future emotions.

He had medical drugs. So what. Plenty of people are on different things with nowhere near the stress he was under.

My 16 year old is watching and listening to all the music. Makes her happy.

MRC & Co · 27 June 2009

Yes, so it really comes down to a matter of inspiration Gekko.

Trainspotter, I do believe in a god, but just not in religeon.

Tink · 28 June 2009

Well said Green, your view pretty much summed up mine..

My mum was upset about Elvis Presley but it didnt affect me

I was surprised about Princess Di but it didnt affect me..

Heath Ledger/Steve Irwin - they didnt affect me..

Michael Jackson did.

I grew up with him, went to his concert, danced to his music, waited for his new music videos/songs, we saw what he did for the world.

I also felt sorry for what he went through with all the media and vultures out to get him..

There is only a few that will affect me and he was one of them..

nunthewiser · 28 June 2009

MRC & Co said:
I do believe in a god, but just not in religeon.

amen to that

i was saddened by steve irwins death, but i had met him. top bloke

cant say that many other celebs deaths make me want to run out and light a candle

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