Psychology of Celebrity Death

nunthewiser said:

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

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I think any death saddens us, but I suppose it depends on how much a part they have in your life..

I must admit the deaths of Jackson, Dodi's gal or Irwin did not cause me to feel any different the day after they died, than I did the day before.

As for entertainers I suppose Tom Waits moving to the city in the sky full of *****s and nogoods would sadden me.

Nelson Mandela dying would profoundly affect me.

I think perspective and belief influence one's ability to mourn the passing of people.

gg

Some celebrities are part of peoples lives. Elvis for example was part of growing up for millions of people and even though they never knew him personally when he died it was like a friend or relative for many because he WAS part of their lives from a young age.

Same with Michael Jackson, people had pretty much written him off , his strange ways and looks, but when he died ? It evokes all those memories of the music and the fact that he and his music had an effect on your life, he was there with you all that time, so same reaction as with Elvis.

So some celebrities that have been a part of your life in the background will bring on a sense of loss and grief when they die partly because it reminds you that you too, are growing older.

Imagine the sense of loss that will be felt when say Clint Eastwood dies ?
A unique character that has entertained us in a big way since we can remember.

People feel the grief and they mark the moment with that outpouring of grief.

The thing that I find annoying with the Michael Jackson reaction is the media. Particularly channel 9.

They, particularly the morning show people, Richard Wilkins, the gay Hollywood reporter (I don't know his name), Karl and everybody else, made so much money/ratings over the years laughing at him - and now he's dead, they are actually serious fans??

It was always..."Well, he's at it again, Wacko Jacko does blah, blah, blah......", and then Channel 9 had 8 hour coverage on Friday..still exploiting him for the ratings.

What's the psychology here? Make as much cash as you can out of someone while trying not to laugh? They probably thought they could smell a Logie.

[/QUOTE] Imagine the sense of loss that will be felt when say Clint Eastwood dies ?
A unique character that has entertained us in a big way since we can remember.

[/QUOTE]

I will be very sad when Clint drops off the perch.......but you won't find me howling outside his house.........I don't get that.

I'm not sad about Michael Jackson as most of his music didn't appeal to me. It was still a shock though, to hear he had died so young........it is a dreadful waste.......he was very talented.

MB

Imagine the sense of loss that will be felt when say Clint Eastwood dies ?
A unique character that has entertained us in a big way since we can remember.



I will be very sad when Clint drops off the perch.......but you won't find me howling outside his house.........I don't get that.

I'm not sad about Michael Jackson as most of his music didn't appeal to me. It was still a shock though, to hear he had died so young........it is a dreadful waste.......he was very talented.

MB

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Yes I would mourn Clint, Nelson Mandela, Paul Newman RIP, Tom Waits, Angelina Jolie and Charlotte Rampling.

No I wouldn't mourn Michael Jackson RIP, Dodi's gal RIP, Steve Irwin RIP, Hanoi Jane, Tom Cruise and Madonna.

Its all subjective isn't it?

gg