Show me a society that denies death and I'll show you a dying society.
The deaths of two iconic figures in one day is a shock. That they followed so quickly after another - albeit lesser - icon of the that era - Kung Fu (David Carradine) died- made the day rather thoughtful for this forty something. I heard the train whistle in the distance get a little closer.
Farrah's death (she rightfully shed any need of a surname 30 years ago.) probably hit a bit deeper for me. She was a startling personality whenever she came forth from the pop culture background. When a beautiful actor pushes past her/his looks to give a fine performance they often get too much credit - as if solid acting was somehow miraculous for the terrifically gorgeous among us. Farrah, I felt, did not get enough credit. Or possibly it is truer to say she did get "credit" for her performances in Extremities and The Burning Bed - but did not get the respect she deserved.
Jackson is a different sort. Unlike Farrah who's talent occasionally subsumed her personality, Jackson's astounding talent was, in later years, obliterated by his personality - that seems to have not fully formed - even at 50. The delicious joy of ABC 1, 2, 3 comes from another era and almost - another person. The Michael Jackson of 2009 was an echo of an echo of Thriller. As is too often the case in a culture driven by the cult of personality, Jackson's stunted maturity - for at least the last decade - became the only thing that mattered to all but the most bizarre groupies...of which there remain millions. He and his later fan base became an outlying warning to a society that makes and worships the false idols of youth. Beauty and/or talent that refuses wisdom becomes weak and brittle - as does the society that covets it.
When someone dies it is right and proper to reflect on the "good stuff" and ignore the unpleasant. With Jackson, I am not up to the enormity of the task. We ought to take in his life whole, or not at all.
Unlike a lot of what I've heard from reporters tonight - his death did not surprise me. Jackson's tether to this world has seemed tenuous for at least ten years. He was ghostly both metaphorically and physically.
When I sat down to write, this post was to be about yet another round of media mania - so I'll start now. The reporting on Jackson's death - at least in Los Angeles - is over the top, cringe worthy, and ridiculous. "Stunning" and "tragic" are being misused and overused. Jackson's life had all the elements of tragedy. His death is unfortunate, a bit of a surprise, and sad - not tragic.
The American media is incapable of balance and sobriety. This never stops bothering me - and it ought to. I ought to be used to it by now. The "first responders" in the media always seem to be reporting to children or adolescents. Adolescents who must be told quickly how to think and feel about any event, lest, God forbid, they think for themselves. When watching CNN - which I rarely do now - I am often tempted to look over my shoulder to see the 12 year old being addressed.
The deification of youth leads to infantilized adults which must, in turn, lead to a society wide denial of death. Show me a society that denies death and I'll show you a dying society.
Since most of us did not know Jackson, his life and the reporting on his death thus far should be taken as what they are: warnings.
Oh Baby, give me one more chance....
Farrah's death (she rightfully shed any need of a surname 30 years ago.) probably hit a bit deeper for me. She was a startling personality whenever she came forth from the pop culture background. When a beautiful actor pushes past her/his looks to give a fine performance they often get too much credit - as if solid acting was somehow miraculous for the terrifically gorgeous among us. Farrah, I felt, did not get enough credit. Or possibly it is truer to say she did get "credit" for her performances in Extremities and The Burning Bed - but did not get the respect she deserved.
Jackson is a different sort. Unlike Farrah who's talent occasionally subsumed her personality, Jackson's astounding talent was, in later years, obliterated by his personality - that seems to have not fully formed - even at 50. The delicious joy of ABC 1, 2, 3 comes from another era and almost - another person. The Michael Jackson of 2009 was an echo of an echo of Thriller. As is too often the case in a culture driven by the cult of personality, Jackson's stunted maturity - for at least the last decade - became the only thing that mattered to all but the most bizarre groupies...of which there remain millions. He and his later fan base became an outlying warning to a society that makes and worships the false idols of youth. Beauty and/or talent that refuses wisdom becomes weak and brittle - as does the society that covets it.
When someone dies it is right and proper to reflect on the "good stuff" and ignore the unpleasant. With Jackson, I am not up to the enormity of the task. We ought to take in his life whole, or not at all.
Unlike a lot of what I've heard from reporters tonight - his death did not surprise me. Jackson's tether to this world has seemed tenuous for at least ten years. He was ghostly both metaphorically and physically.
When I sat down to write, this post was to be about yet another round of media mania - so I'll start now. The reporting on Jackson's death - at least in Los Angeles - is over the top, cringe worthy, and ridiculous. "Stunning" and "tragic" are being misused and overused. Jackson's life had all the elements of tragedy. His death is unfortunate, a bit of a surprise, and sad - not tragic.
The American media is incapable of balance and sobriety. This never stops bothering me - and it ought to. I ought to be used to it by now. The "first responders" in the media always seem to be reporting to children or adolescents. Adolescents who must be told quickly how to think and feel about any event, lest, God forbid, they think for themselves. When watching CNN - which I rarely do now - I am often tempted to look over my shoulder to see the 12 year old being addressed.
The deification of youth leads to infantilized adults which must, in turn, lead to a society wide denial of death. Show me a society that denies death and I'll show you a dying society.
Since most of us did not know Jackson, his life and the reporting on his death thus far should be taken as what they are: warnings.
Oh Baby, give me one more chance....
Labels: Death, denial, Farrah, media, Michael Jackson
posted by John Smart at
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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