Personal: AP Article on Gen X Culture and the Deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

[novak]

Usually, I find that I'm a bit suspicious of pieces of writing that speak a little too easily or universally about cultural symbols of a generation. I tend to favour complexity over simplicity in any kind of analysis, just as a matter of course, and of trying to be realistic about anything in a given moment in history. If I'm being quick in that

Comments

[amea]

...Actually, nevermind, I read it again (after coffee) and take it all back. And delete it. I think that is what he's saying. But I'm explaining my delete to you as I'm sure you got the comment in your e-mail anyway.

...I'm going to crawl back into my corner now.

[mushfromnewsies]

It is interesting to note how media culture and youth culture has changed. Michael Jackson was before my time, particularly because I didn't listen to/own any secular music before I was twelve or thirteen. I was only aware of him after he'd become something of a wreck.

This doesn't have to do with this article, but I thought you might enjoy this:

Usher on MJ: "It's pretty hard right now, man. Michael Jackson transcended culture. He transcended love, man. He changed the barrier of life and the way we looked at things."

As for me, despite people's genuine attachment to their own memories and cultural experiences, and what I think is honest dismay at his death, I find celebrity deaths particularly hard to stomach. Michael obviously was a very damaged person, but I'd like to think that he (like everyone else) can meet his own death... on his own, I guess. But the circus never ends.

Complexity vs. Simplicity

[anonymous]

It is definitely a challenge, as you say -- maintaining the texture of complexity while appealing to a broad (millions) audience. At our best, we succeed only occasionally.

Thanks for the critique. I appreciate your taking the time.

Sincerely,

Ted Anthony

Michael Jackson was GenJoneser, Farrah was GenJones icon

[politico08]

Jackson and Fawcett certainly did have a big impact on Generation X. But most Xers were too young to have felt the full effect of these two legends. These two are fundamentally icons of Generation Jones--born 1954 to 1965, between the Boomers and GenXers. Jackson was a classic GenJoneser himself, and Jonesers--not Xers--were mainly the teens in the 1970s who had her classic poster on their walls. Most Xers were just being born, or still little kids, then.

If you’re not familiar with the term yet, google Generation Jones, and you’ll see it’s recently gotten a ton of media attention, and many top commentators from many top publications and networks (Washington Post, Time magazine, NBC, Newsweek, ABC, etc.) now specifically use this term. The Associated Press' annual Trend Report chose the Rise of Generation Jones as the #1 trend of 2009.

Here's a page with a good overview of recent stuff about GenJones:
http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html