Obligatory Michael Jackson Post.
*sigh*
I'm gonna catch flak for this, but here goes:
"Pop-music sensation Michael Jackson died this week. One-time member of The Jackson Five and brother to Janet and LaToya, he is best remembered for 'Beat It,' child molestation charges and 'Captain EO.'"
That is the bulk of the byline I would have written in the news concerning Michael Jackson. I would have then sent an intern to fetch some archival photos of him hanging a baby out of a window and the "Thriller" album cover. Oh yeah, then get as much recycled news on the Pepsi hair fire and the Neverland Ranch to fill three quarters of a page, and make sure you include some condolences to Lisa Marie.
I am as guilty as the next person of dancing to MJ in junior high, but I got over it pretty quick. The biggest impact it had on my life is that I find myself whistling "ABC, 123" every once in awhile. This loon does not deserve the hype he is getting over his death. He is the prince of mediocrity. His music wasn't ground-breaking or socially challenging. It sold because it pandered to the lowest common denominator of marketability, resulting in a bland McDonald's-like musical philosophy -- not "most quality to my fans;" rather, it was "least nauseating to the masses."
What do I have against Jackson? Not much, but that's my point. Child molesting charges are a little disturbing and slimy, but beyond that he was unremarkable. I even found his quirks to be mildly entertaining -- the guy has a pet monkey and his own amusement park ... pretty cool. But the manufactured hype about some musical genius teetering on the brink of madness didn't cover the fact that in reality he was a mildly eccentric guy with a pile of money that you wouldn't want hanging around with your kids. Other than that, a regular guy.
BUT THAT'S MY POINT. We didn't lose a Hitler here, but we also didn't lose a Gandhi or a John Lennon either. I object because these people who cater to the lowest common denominator get a hell of a lot of press. I'm protesting on behalf of the trees. How many acres of rain forest have been wasted so far for paper memorials to Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith and their ilk? While keeping in mind the huge burden on the environment, think about this:
Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Fabio, Madonna, Paulie Shore, Britney Speares, Christina Aguilerra, and all five New Kids On the Block are all still alive. And they are all getting closer to dying.
The cost to our eco-system will be devastating if we don't wise up and realize this: When these people die, we have lost what amounts to, in the grand scheme of things, a glorified karaoke dee-jay.
I'm gonna catch flak for this, but here goes:
"Pop-music sensation Michael Jackson died this week. One-time member of The Jackson Five and brother to Janet and LaToya, he is best remembered for 'Beat It,' child molestation charges and 'Captain EO.'"
That is the bulk of the byline I would have written in the news concerning Michael Jackson. I would have then sent an intern to fetch some archival photos of him hanging a baby out of a window and the "Thriller" album cover. Oh yeah, then get as much recycled news on the Pepsi hair fire and the Neverland Ranch to fill three quarters of a page, and make sure you include some condolences to Lisa Marie.
I am as guilty as the next person of dancing to MJ in junior high, but I got over it pretty quick. The biggest impact it had on my life is that I find myself whistling "ABC, 123" every once in awhile. This loon does not deserve the hype he is getting over his death. He is the prince of mediocrity. His music wasn't ground-breaking or socially challenging. It sold because it pandered to the lowest common denominator of marketability, resulting in a bland McDonald's-like musical philosophy -- not "most quality to my fans;" rather, it was "least nauseating to the masses."
What do I have against Jackson? Not much, but that's my point. Child molesting charges are a little disturbing and slimy, but beyond that he was unremarkable. I even found his quirks to be mildly entertaining -- the guy has a pet monkey and his own amusement park ... pretty cool. But the manufactured hype about some musical genius teetering on the brink of madness didn't cover the fact that in reality he was a mildly eccentric guy with a pile of money that you wouldn't want hanging around with your kids. Other than that, a regular guy.
BUT THAT'S MY POINT. We didn't lose a Hitler here, but we also didn't lose a Gandhi or a John Lennon either. I object because these people who cater to the lowest common denominator get a hell of a lot of press. I'm protesting on behalf of the trees. How many acres of rain forest have been wasted so far for paper memorials to Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith and their ilk? While keeping in mind the huge burden on the environment, think about this:
Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Fabio, Madonna, Paulie Shore, Britney Speares, Christina Aguilerra, and all five New Kids On the Block are all still alive. And they are all getting closer to dying.
The cost to our eco-system will be devastating if we don't wise up and realize this: When these people die, we have lost what amounts to, in the grand scheme of things, a glorified karaoke dee-jay.