[Damage]

Could someone explain to me why people react like they do when a celebrity dies?
I know not everyone does but a lot of people, predominantly those of a more sensitive nature(read chicks and gay dudes) go absolutely ballistic when someone whom they have never met (nor under any reasonable expectations would they have met) , who's never had any real tangible effect on their lives but was famous dies.

I just don't get it, Micheal Jackson dies, people bust out in tears. Diana dies, people bust out in tears. Mother Theresa dies, people say "gee , thats too bad. Tennis?"

just me?

This post has been edited by Damage: 27 June 2009 - 09:09 PM

[KYA]

American culture.....unfortunately.

[Zerobu]

The obvious reason is that some celebrities make contributions to the world that will not be forgotten. MJ is an example of this. No matter how much you hate him, you cannot deny that he didn't change the music industry. Because of this people get emotionally attached to them, and this is perfectly understandable because they did something great in their lives and will be recognized for it.

[Damage]

thats not it. When Albert Einstein died did hordes of people flock to his house and hold midnight vigils?
and what about these guys

Malcolm Forbes
Patrick White
Roald Dahl
Le Duc Tho
Robert Hofstadte
Pavel Cherenkov

nobel prize winners, authors etc they all have an impact on the world but no one kicked up a fuss when they died, hell most people don't even know who they are.

It really is just a weird social thing

[no2pencil]

KYA, on 27 Jun, 2009 - 10:44 PM, said:

American culture.....unfortunately.

It's because we watch TV, & the American News (Media Machine) gets into so much detail & the daily lives of these celebrities that anyone & everyone knows all about them. We can relate to them almost as if we knew them.

More on topic & to give my answer the question, there is a musical aspect. When someone reaches out in song, & you as the listener can really relate to the artist, there is a very real sense of loss when the person passes. The song held a very special meaning to you, & it's as close to connecting with the musician as you'll get, & now that they are dead, it's sad because someone whom spent time making your life more enjoyable is lost. Makes the word seem just a little less special that day.

That's not really the same answer for the Princess, but that's just how I feel about celebrity musicians.

If the Nobel Piece Prize award ceremony was held on MTV, then I assure you that some American's might actually recognize those names. But for now, please, we have a hard enough time teaching our youth that we have 50 states, & that they all have capitals as well.

[Damage]

no2pencil, on 27 Jun, 2009 - 09:42 PM, said:

[
If the Nobel Piece Prize award ceremony was held on MTV, then I assure you that some American's might actually recognize those names. But for now, please, we have a hard enough time teaching our youth that we have 50 states, & that they all have capitals as well.

could you imagine

"Now welcome to the MTV Nobel Prize Awards!!! Live with your host Paaaaaaaaaris Hiilton!!"

[firebolt]

Its the "changing" past that makes it a major story. If they had led a simple, yet celebrity life then not much talk would happen, but if you have someone like MJ, with a "wild" past then that would give off a spark

[mostyfriedman]

KYA, on 27 Jun, 2009 - 08:44 PM, said:

American culture.....unfortunately.

i thought american culture was all about hot dogs and burgers

[BenignDesign]

Nope. That's American CUISINE. American culture revolves entirely around the tiny, magical people who live inside the TV box.

[ShaneK]

Because that's what a celebrity is. Somebody that everybody apparently cares about to some degree.

[Edit] I'm gonna go more into depth here. Most people define "celebrity" as a "widely known person." Everybody cares when somebody they know dies. Whether you liked or hated that person, you care. So basically, the very definition of celebrity tells why people care when they die. Because they're known by everybody.

Yours,
Shane~

This post has been edited by ShaneK: 28 June 2009 - 09:11 AM

[baavgai]

It's not entirely fair to blame American culture for this one. It's more the cult of personality.

Some Americans idolize people that come from the news feed. They feel they know them. They track their movements, consume every shred of available information, share in their highs and lows, know the minutiae of their existence better than most of their own relatives. And worse, think they know this best friend by proxy they've never met.

Other countries have the same feed, same cults. For other cultures the persona are sports figures, gurus, people of high social status, whatever. The formula is simple. For some reason, a total stranger feels they know someone. They react as they would for a close friend. In a sense the mourning is for the same reason; they will no longer have the person in question in their life.

Mourning is a fundamentally selfish act. The dead are dead. We feel sorry for ourselves because we'll no longer have someone important to us in our lives.

[NeoTifa]

I personally think of all the celebrities as humans. That's what they are. To call them stars is wrong, as they are not cosmic beings that determine the way of life or the future. Nobody wants their personal business all over the web or tv, nor do they want to get stalked by thousands of freaks with cameras. I know they probably sure as hell do not want everyone fighting and arguing over their grave like everyone has. They are human, just like us. They deserve a little privacy and respect, even in death.

[moopet]

Damage, on 28 Jun, 2009 - 03:09 AM, said:

Could someone explain to me why people react like they do when a celebrity dies?
I know not everyone does but a lot of people, predominantly those of a more sensitive nature(read chicks and gay dudes) go absolutely ballistic when someone whom they have never met (nor under any reasonable expectations would they have met) , who's never had any real tangible effect on their lives but was famous dies.

I just don't get it, Micheal Jackson dies, people bust out in tears. Diana dies, people bust out in tears. Mother Theresa dies, people say "gee , thats too bad. Tennis?"

just me?

No, it's not just you.

[supersloth]

the other threads weren't enough? really? you do realize you are perpetuating the cycle just as much, but in a different way, right?

[Dantheman]

Damage, on 27 Jun, 2009 - 08:09 PM, said:

Could someone explain to me why people react like they do when a celebrity dies?

Maybe because that celebrity meant something for them and now it's lost? Just because you don't come into physical contact with something doesn't mean it has no meaning for you.

Quote

I know not everyone does but a lot of people, predominantly those of a more sensitive nature(read chicks and gay dudes) go absolutely ballistic when someone whom they have never met (nor under any reasonable expectations would they have met) , who's never had any real tangible effect on their lives but was famous dies.

State the evidence that made you come to the conclusion of the underlined statements.

Quote

I just don't get it, Micheal Jackson dies, people bust out in tears. Diana dies, people bust out in tears. Mother Theresa dies, people say "gee , thats too bad. Tennis?"

just me?

No, a lot of immature children or people who lack any common sense and human decency may think so. You're not alone.