Celebrity Death Bashing - America's New Favorite Pastime?

It started long ago, but it hit its stride the day Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett died (June 25, 2009). That's obviously a big thanks to social networking. I've noticed that's there's a clear line drawn down the middle when it comes how people handle stars dying. First there's those that feel sorrow for the recently deceased supernova. And then there's those who use such an event to fuel a slew of new cruel jokes and punchlines in an attempt to see who can out-cringe the others who are also taking this approach dealing with the sad news. I would say I'm one of the latter.

So with that, let me preface the rest of this by saying, yes, death is very sad. But the way I see it, the further outside someone's death gets away from your inner circle of people you actually know and care about, the easier it is to deal with, or to some, make fun of. So being that it is unrealistic for someone of general ilk, like you and I, to be very close to a celebrity figure, it seems in that case it becomes easier to use a different emotion, as in humor over sadness, to deal with pain or react to bad news. The good news is, with using this approach, there's always a small bright side to these attempts of dark humor, and that is it's usually just a joke.

If I may, it needs to be said. The first group of people I mentioned earlier crack me up. These are the people who hear the news, rarely verify if it's true in any nature, and then immediately update their walls with their condolences. A small, very small, percentage of these people are genuine. But the rest either want to be Dan Rather or Diane Sawyer and be the first to break the latest hot story, or they want to see the comments and likes they get from it (aka need attention). What proves this fact is, if you check their friends list for people they follow, rarely will you find that these people ever had interest in the celebrity's social network offerings at all. So that confirms to me that their posts aren't being made so that the celebrity's family or friends can see it with sincere sympathy. So instead of posting it publicly, why not say a quick prayer to yourself quietly, rather than broadcasting to the world that you're sorry someone died!? And to top it all off, the people that say R.I.P. are the best. You're saying that to someone that can't hear or read what you're saying, so why say it? I know it's an old expression, but it's dumb. Believe me, I'm guilty of saying R.I.P., but only when I care enough about the person, and I'm usually at their viewing/wake saying it as I see them for the very last time. But when a celebrity dies, I usually say to them what I told them yesterday. Nothing.

If you truly cherish a celebrity or any artist or any high profile person, why not take 5 minutes out of your life, find their contact info online and say what you have to say to them. This way you won't feel bad and assume you have to say something after they've passed, which is when it's too late and they'll never know what you wanted to say. (The only other way they won't know, would be that they're too arrogant to read messages from fans. Yeah, they're awesome people to adore.) And believe me, you feel really dumb sending the message or letter, but you feel even better later because you sent it.

And while I'm at it, if you've got a lingering grudge with an old friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a while, then give them 5 minutes too. Chances are, you'll get a better reaction from whoever is closer in your inner circle. Forgive, forget, and move on...or be depressed about it forever and post cryptic references relating to them on your wall after they die, when it's too late.

As for the second group of people I mentioned earlier, most people would believe they have no heart when they hear the awful words that fill the air shortly after the death of a celebrity. That air usually being close to a comedy club or comedians in general, or their facebook walls. But when putting being offended aside, they can only make you smile by making you think about the way they see the world.

So with all of that being said, I guess I've always wondered what the big deal is about celebrities and most of them with the trashy lifestyles they live that draws in the common folk. I know it's more than being voyeuristic, but what else is it? It's just sad to me that everyday hard working people put their personal issues aside and focus on someone else's personal issues for entertainment. It doesn't make sense. The world is changing around us every minute, and it's been a long time since it's been for the better. So why are we distracting ourselves with celebrity deaths or gossip or even sports, knowing there's a world out there that needs fixing? People need to quit wasting brain cycles on this kind of entertainment, which in all actuality, is really outside the realm of entertainment that these celebrities provide.

-CMuff