angelophile | Doing my part to crash Livejournal

Well, Michael Jackson died. I suppose this is the Elvis moment for my generation, but I'm surprised how indifferent I am to his death. Or maybe not. Let's face it, I don't think anyone was expecting him to die in his own bed at the age of 83, surrounded by loving family.

It'd be hypocritical of me to express deep grief, since I had little time for him when he was alive, but it has surprised what a big deal this appears to be. Because of the "weren't we all expecting this?" element, but also, isn't it about 20 years since anyone actually cared about the man and his music?

But, see, I say that and then think, "Huh, but then, every year on X-Factor, Britain's Got Talent or whatever else, you can guarantee that at least once a show someone's going to sing or dance to a Michael Jackson number." Usually kids who weren't even born when he was popular. There appears to be a certain sector of the population with whom Jackson was still hugely popular. His greatest hits still sold through the roof. But I don't think I've ever met one of these people in my whole life.

I'm genuinely more sad about Farrah Fawcett, not because I believe her to be a greater talent, but that her death is being overshadowed. Her battle with anal cancer, after she went public chronicling her treatments, made people more aware of this rare form of cancer and did a lot of good to raise the profile of this smoking related disease.

Anyway, it's all pretty sad, but I'll not be hypocritical by saying I've a strong emotional response either way. At least I can claim to be less of a cock than this Perez Hilton bloke, who's clearly determined to set the world record for being punched in the face.

That incident raises a curiosity though. Watching the news break and people's reactions online was an interesting experience. It shows just how instant news is now and how one site kicked things off and how the story spread before finally being confirmed elsewhere. It just goes to show how alive news is in this day and age where we can watch it change literally by the second. No wonder the print medium is struggling.

Bad news for my industry.