Why is the World in Mourning?

@p1kef1sh (45681)
June 26, 2009 12:46pm CST
I am trying to get my head around the fact that my TV is full of images of weeping people. There are spontaneous gatherings in public spaces and clubs and discos. A well know musician dies and we go into "Hero" overdrive. Why does this happen when celebrities die? These are people that we don't know personally. All that we truly know about them is their talent and perhaps the reporting of voyeuristic magazines about their private lives. So what makes us turn from our normal reasonable rational and balanced selves, to feeling as though we have lost a close family member and into hysterical zombies? I heard one girl say that today was the day that "Music Died". Wonder if they said that when Beethoven or Handel passed on.
18 people like this
21 responses
• India
26 Jun 09
Its a way of honouring and respecting his talents and the greatness he achieved. You may not be personally touched, but other people are. So they mourn. Though you feel no sense of loss, you must respect the way other people feel.
3 people like this
• India
26 Jun 09
Well different people are attached to different celebrities. Apparently, a lot of people have a stronger feeling towards Michael Jackson, than they have for other celebrities. That must be why they are in mourning. Just because his passing doesn't make me and you sad enough to actually cry, other people's degree of sadness differs.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jun 09
I can understand what you are saying there sand, but I think the thing that gets to me is all the media attention. He is not the only talent that has passed on recently. So why wouldn't there be the same media attention for the other? I guess I look at things differently.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jun 09
Aliceinwebland, I completely agree with you when you say that most people are shedding crocodile tears.
1 person likes this
@selina0625 (1379)
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
Why? because I really think that people do appreciate great talent.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Jun 09
Is that why we weep and wail? If so, why are we so inconsistent? We don't respond this way to every great talent by any means.
3 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
27 Jun 09
There's no big mystery here, p1kef1sh. As with any famous person whom we can never know intimately, we reach a point where we actually feel as though we know them because of their work and the level of fame that they achieve. What could be abnormal about people coming together to express their grief for anyone who has passed on? This has always been done, and will continue to be so. Society cherishes it's idols, especially those who have been known to be compassionate and loving. The outpouring of grief is usually commensurate with the celebrity's contributions to society, or at least to their field. Does someone who has contributed so much deserve any less?
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Jun 09
While it is true that he definitely wasn't a god, MYKLJ, he ushered in a whole new era in pop culture and broke many barriers. His contributions to music are awesome, and he had a rapport with his fans that had not been seen for decades. I only want him to have his due.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Sorry about the misnomer. I have far too much weighing heavily on my mind right now.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
I completely understand the sense of collective sadness WW. But it's the hysteria that I don't understand. He wasn't a God.
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I tend to agree with you my friend. Funny how we are as a world in certain situations but in our own back yard we do not see what is going on. I tend to believe he will live on through his music for others and inspiration much like Handel and Beethoven and well of course a few more. Hope springs forth eternal and music is the way of life to grow. Ainge
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jun 09
Good to be back. I will try to keep up but things are as they are here and remember we are one of the news capitals of the world in a way. Have missed you my friend. I even thought about you the other day when I was eating my kippers. Ainge
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
Thats very true. Even when we stand out in the garden we sometimes miss the important things! Good to see you again. I miss you when you are away.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
27 Jun 09
Hi p1ke, to me MJ was a very talented person from a child and he never grew up because of the way he was treated by his dad..which in itself is a crying shame...yet like the Beatles and Elvis his music captured the hearts of many, young and old personally I don't agree with worshipping him' as such and as far as his personal life went it was not right that the Media etc intruded into it and 'judged' him-or anyone else judge him for the alleged things he was said to of done without proof..I dont have that and no-one else does..may he R.I.P if the public and media will let him...Lolo xx
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
28 Jun 09
Hi hun, thing is MJ won't be able to rest in peace for as long as people keep him alive, eg the media, his fans any celebrations that mayb in memory of him...that is thee big shame..it is like Elvis, Frank Sinatra and a few others, until people can learn to let those whom have passed 'go', they can never move on into the light...xxx
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
I hope that he does rest in peace LoLo. He seems to have become a permanent fixture on the news now. XXXX
• Indonesia
27 Jun 09
I think i have to ask that question to you first.. when someone close to you passed away, do you cry?.. do you find your self in mourning?.. If you do, why? what is your tears for? what is your mourning about?.. Do we have to cry when somebody close to us passed away?.. Do we have to mourning?.. What is it for?.. These had to be answered before getting on to next questions
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
Of course I do. But I am not close to celebrities. I may like whatever it is they did. But they aren't my friend.
• Indonesia
28 Jun 09
mm.. in that case i think i like sandeep responses. The reason why i'm asking that questions is; i'm not only concern about why do people cry or in mourning when celebrities die, but i am concern about why people should be in mourning if someone passed away, why people should always cry for someone when that someone passed away.. what is the cry for? who is it for? what good is it make?.. what good did sadness do? i'd like to know why do you cry? whom is your cry for and what is it for? why you think you should cry? but i think that should be for another topic.. btw, as you can see i'm new, where should i go if i want to create topic? seriously i can't find it..
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
27 Jun 09
Many loved michael and its a sad note that people tend exaggerrate things a bit. Have a nice day and take care!
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
Thanks Zelmarq.
• India
27 Jun 09
Did we have TV when Beethoven was around? :) Well, that's the way of the world at present. The public makes some famous and some infamous. The rest of us are like Lucy, like violets half hidden by mossy stones. That doesn't diminish our significance in this world. Cheers and happy Mylotting
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
That's my point. Why are we mad about some and careless about most.
1 person likes this
27 Jun 09
Hi p1key, Probably no as there was no media hype and people didn't behave like this in the old days, I just think it histeria, yes it is sad to lose a very talented celebrity and he was a household name the one that invented the moondace I grew up with him but it was not my taste in music and still not. People just jump on bandwagon and wants to be involved in the history in the making of this young so they cantell their children where they att the time when it happened, I don't know but it seems like he was part of the family, maybe I'm talking rubbish as I am feeling very tired tonight and long for my bed, hugs. Tamara xxx
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
I hope that you had a good sleep Tamara. I think that maybe some people have so little in their lives that they blow up "celebrities" to be larger than life.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
27 Jun 09
Well it is because everyone loves them and will do anything for them and will express themselves publicly.It is like when you have something very dear to you and it is lost, you will be also be so emotional towards losing the thing.Music plays a big role in our everyday life and some have been changed by the power of music.Music can simply affect your feelings and also change a person,maybe all these people had felt the power of the musicians music before and had changed them somehow.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
Maybe. But it's a strange world that we live in when celebrity is more important than anything else.
1 person likes this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I can't agree more. There is great talent out there, but who is to say that the person next door wasn't as giving or well known for their own tribute to society? I guess I don't understand the whole hero worship thing, especially to a person that I don't even know personally. Life happens and i'm sorry to say, but if people are that wrapped up in another person's, then they must not have much of their own.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
I echo your sentiments there. I find it extraordinary that people can "Love" a celebrity about whom they have little real knowledge to the point of public exaggerated displays of emotion.
1 person likes this
@check23 (448)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
It's because he has many fans and i mean many. It's like the whole world and they're not just fans. He's their idol, they really love him even though MJ doesn't know them. The reason is that MJ's songs really touched their hearts. =D
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
Perhaps so. But that doesn't explain the same response whenever celbrities die. Were they all idols/icons?
@jules67 (2788)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
Well, I guess the reason why emotions are pouring for these people is because we are familiar with them. We get to see them on tv, on the big screen, concerts. Sometimes, we feel that we are a part of their lives in the same way that they have become a part of our lives. Sometimes, we feel that there is a connection between that binds them to us. That is why, news of them passing away sort of hurt us too.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
I think that you are right. I find it simply amazing that we can then take that grief to the point where we are almost paralysed by it.
@dooper (1)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
let us not forget that each one of us has its final destiny and it turn out be that michael jackson's day, let it be. hope he ask forgivess of he have than.Why weep anyway his not my relative.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Jun 09
Yes. My view entirely.
1 person likes this
@Netsbridge (3253)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Well, I guess when someone passes away, we are immediately reminded of the uncertainty surrounding our own lives. I hope Michael Jackson finally finds some peace, rest, and finally recovers some of his sought after lost childhood!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
Amen to that.
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
29 Jun 09
simply because people cares. i am not a big fan of the wacko but i grew up listening and dancing to michael's songs. He became one of the pillars of the music industry or should i say of the whole soceity. I may not be in mourning but i felt sorry on his passing, knowing that he is one of those people who made a mark in the world and who influenced us all, oh yes, including you. this is true to all well known celebrities such as, farrah fawcett, lady d, elvis, john lennon, mahatma gandhi, pope john paul, etc. if not for these so called celebrities, our world won't be as it is now. as for the great classical artists beethoven and handel, what do you think if they had the television, radio and the internet then? don't you think they will be more popular? michael jackson, john lennon, elvis, and the others are our beethoven and handel of today.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
29 Jun 09
Caring is one thing and I readily accept and understand that there are many that are greatly saddened by MJ's passing. It's when that emotion becomes so great that people are weeping and wailing as if the world had just ended that I grapple with. Personally, I find most so called "celebrities" nonentities. MJ was undoubtedly worthy of the term. A great singer and showman. But not someone to ruin my own life over.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
27 Jun 09
I hated to hear the sad news of these people dying but it did not affect me the way it affects alot of people. Alot of people get overly dramatic with it like they really knew who these people are. I think they put to much emphasis on stars.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Jun 09
They certainly appear to Steph.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jun 09
Did we have TV when Beethoven was around? :) Well, that's the way of the world at present. The public makes some famous and some infamous. The rest of us are like Lucy, like violets half hidden by mossy stones. That doesn't diminish our significance in this world. Cheers and happy Mylotting
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
11 Jul 09
I don't get it either. Yes it's sad but like you said we don't personally know these people.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
11 Jul 09
That's how I feel.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
12 Jul 09
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Jun 09
Hi p1kef1sh...I don't think I could ever cry over someone who I didn't know personally so this is a bit out of my range of thinking. I can understand that people liked his music and dancing and thought he was a great entertainer. Still what did we really know about this person? Why are we crying over someone who none of us knew? Why aren't we more sensitive to the person living right next to us or standing in front of us on line in a store? I'll never understand...
@p1kef1sh (45681)
29 Jun 09
I think that you make a very good point there. Often someone local to us gets barely a mention. Celebrity counts in our world it appears.