I Don't Get it

[Jennasis]

Understanding others is an important part of life. I think you are missing out if you don't care to do so. I also think it is ironic that you are judging others for having a difference of opinion at the same time you criticize them for judging others. By the way, I may not understand idol worship but I never asked for an explanation.

I could be off base, but the purpose of the OP was not to "understand"...it was to mock and belittle those who were saddened or grieving over someone famous. She went so far as to question their morals and values. She has no interest in learning why or understanding, IMO.

And who exactly said I had a difference of opinion? I don't have any particular "grief" over Prince or other celebrities. My husband outright thinks sadness over it would be weird (and he's a HUGE music collector and a fan of Prince among others). I just know better than to question something so intensely personal as grief out loud. Not every though needs to be expressed.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

Wow, just wow. I can't believe some are up in arms over someone else being sad about a death.

Why? Why do you care about someone else being sad? No one is forcing you to join in and light a candle. If your sick of hearing about it, change the channel or quit reading the article. Not that hard to do.

Why does it matter who someone grieves for? It shouldn't, just respect that people are different.

And WTH does being a veteran have to do with any of this? For the love ... I'm married to a vet that proudly served our country for 29 years. I revere him, but millions upon millions of people haven't been personally touched through his work. Of course they have been inadvertently impacted (he defended our country) but they didn't see HIS face when they heard US military. (Nope, contrary to the rumors I'm not married to Uncle Sam ). Prince was a soundtrack to many lives -- music runs deep through our souls. Like my earlier post, we don't mourn the star we didn't know, we mourn the emotional impact he gave to our lives. Even my vet husband understands that! And most vets I personally know don't want the hoopla. They don't like the show.

One more thing, throwing out the suicide line was disrespectful. Even if it was suicide (which it appears not to be) why does that matter? It shouldn't. That's implying we can't be sad because someone committed suicide? Ludicrous! You can mourn anyone, anything, anytime.

You can mourn the chicken I just ate if you're a vegetarian. You have that right. But I also have that right to eat it.

*Off the soapbox *

YES!!!!

Now, as a vegan I'm off to mourn that chicken you just ate.

 

[Skywalker]

I think there is a difference between grieving for someone you personally knew, loved and lost than there is for being sad someone you didn't know has died. Celebrity worship is big with some people but some of us don't understand the extreme display of emotion of some people when that individual is not really connected to the deceased. I don't think it is about judging how others grieve.

Wow, what? So it is acceptable to only grieve for "someone you personally knew, loved and lost"? Really? So empathy or human connection has no place anymore? It is wrong to feel sad for hundreds of victims of terrorist attacks let's say, or Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust, or even to raise money for diseases if you don't know anyone personally? Cause that seems to be what you are saying. I don't get this. You go on ahead and keep your head planted firmly up your own personal acquaintances. I didn't know I could only feel sad for my own family and friends. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[mnrose]

And, so the OP who apparently is distressed about the attention given to Prince's death has managed to generate at least another 7 page thread about the topic. LOL. Unintended consequences perhaps? And, if I'm not mistaken, that's nearly the same length as the original thread about his death.

Just saying. If it really bugs you that people are paying attention to a major celebrity's death, maybe you should keep it to yourself.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

How about you pull out your Game of Thrones nun again? I think quite a number of us deserve a public shaming for our poor morals.

I agree completely! Let's make it a double..

 

[piccolopat]

I could be off base, but the purpose of the OP was not to "understand"...it was to mock and belittle those who were saddened or grieving over someone famous. She went so far as to question their morals and values. She has no interest in learning why or understanding, IMO.

And who exactly said I had a difference of opinion? I don't have any particular "grief" over Prince or other celebrities. My husband outright thinks sadness over it would be weird (and he's a HUGE music collector and a fan of Prince among others). I just know better than to question something so intensely personal as grief out loud. Not every though needs to be expressed.

I think you mistakenly believed I was defending the OP. I was not. People would benefit immensely if they tried to understand others and when they can't they will find it so much better to respect differences rather than insulting them. I was simply offering my point of view. Sorry if I misunderstood your point.

 

[fly girl]

YES!!!!

Now, as a vegan I'm off to mourn that chicken you just ate.

And I understand!

 

[piccolopat]

Wow, what? So it is acceptable to only grieve for "someone you personally knew, loved and lost"? Really? So empathy or human connection has no place anymore? It is wrong to feel sad for hundreds of victims of terrorist attacks let's say, or Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust, or even to raise money for diseases if you don't know anyone personally? Cause that seems to be what you are saying. I don't get this. You go on ahead and keep your head planted firmly up your own personal acquaintances. I didn't know I could only feel sad for my own family and friends. Thanks for letting me know.

I never said it was not acceptable. In fact I was trying to explain the difference (to me) between grief and sadness. For me personally, grief is a very personal emotion and something I experience when I lose a loved one or close friend. I feel sad for people I may know in the community when they pass but it is simply not the same. Likewise, I may admire an artist and be saddened by the loss, but for me it is simply not the same as when a family member passes.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I never said it was not acceptable. In fact I was trying to explain the difference (to me) between grief and sadness. For me personally, grief is a very personal emotion and something I experience when I lose a loved one or close friend. I feel sad for people I may know in the community when they pass but it is simply not the same. Likewise, I may admire an artist and be saddened by the loss, but for me it is simply not the same as when a family member passes.

I agree completely that the grief I felt over the loss of any artist has never even came close to the same grief experienced by the loss of a family member. I may have missed the quote, but I don't remember anyone comparing the loss of an artist to a family member. I doubt you'll get many disagreements with this at all.

 

[StuckInKS]

It apparently affects people of all walks of life. Bruce Springsteen opening his show in Brooklyn tonight...

Heck, I was at a heavy metal concert last night and Prince was played during the intermission before the main band. Nearly everyone in the venue (metal heads decked out in black shirts and tattoos) sang together during Purple Rain. It was quite the sight to see. A lot of people, from all walks of life, were touched in some way by Prince.

To OP: Music is very personal to a lot of people. It helps us celebrate our highs and make it through our lows. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince...not only were they icons, but they also passed somewhat suddenly. They didn't have any long battle with cancer or some other disease, they were just here one day and gone that next. So, their deaths are not only high profile, but shocking too. Plus, we are constantly reminded of their death when we see them in a movie or hear their music.

Some stories stick with us and affect us more then others, especially if we can relate to some way with the person who passed. I am saddened by the death of any musician I have liked and listened to, but not devastated (there is one musician whose death will truly affect me in a big way, hopefully not for a very long time). However, I am also saddened when I hear of first responders, police, military or other everyday heroes who have fallen, or children, mothers and families who have died, even if I did not know personally. Some stick with me a while and others are soon forgotten.

 

[minnie56]

I can't say I was a huge fan ...I do appreciate his talent though and the fact that it was much too soon ...
However, it's getting a little much now...in the papers, on tv, all over Facebook and on and on.
Only positive to the attention , it's knocked Donald Trump out of the media! Lol.

 

[E&Cmom]

And, so the OP who apparently is distressed about the attention given to Prince's death has managed to generate at least another 7 page thread about the topic. LOL. Unintended consequences perhaps? And, if I'm not mistaken, that's nearly the same length as the original thread about his death.

lol...I was just thinking the same thing. I think that if we haven't already that we will be bypassing the original thread soon.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I agree totally. I got a lot of strange looks when I mentioned in our newsroom that I thought it was odd that our network did a Special Report on Prince dying.
A very talent musician certainly, and a successful businessman, and his passing is newsworthy. And sadly, it appears he is another celebrity whose personal choices played a role in his only early death.

Am I wrong or did you mention that you had developed Type 2 diabetes? Do you realize that it is a life threatening disease? Can you imagine anyone talking about ones personal diet choices causing an early death and deciding they weren't worth mourning?

Food, pills, alcohol, speeding, foreign travel, surfing, lying in the sun, not looking both ways before you cross the street can all contribute to an early death. Surely most people are humane enough to rise above the petty nature of this shallow thinking.

 

[tvguy]

Am I wrong or did you mention that you had developed Type 2 diabetes? Do you realize that it is a life threatening disease? Can you imagine anyone talking about ones personal diet choices causing an early death and deciding they weren't worth mourning?

Food, pills, alcohol, speeding, foreign travel, surfing, lying in the sun, not looking both ways before you cross the street can all contribute to an early death. Surely most people are humane enough to rise above the petty nature of this shallow thinking.

My comment was about the merits of a network Special Report, not mourning.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

My comment was about the merits of a network Special Report, not mourning.

Well you do work for a media outlet so not sure why you would expect anything less.

 

[asta]

Am I wrong or did you mention that you had developed Type 2 diabetes? Do you realize that it is a life threatening disease? Can you imagine anyone talking about ones personal diet choices causing an early death and deciding they weren't worth mourning?

Food, pills, alcohol, speeding, foreign travel, surfing, lying in the sun, not looking both ways before you cross the street can all contribute to an early death. Surely most people are humane enough to rise above the petty nature of this shallow thinking.

You statement on Type 2 diabetes is wrong and misguided. Some people may develop it from over eating but not everyone who has it overeats.. If it is just about the eating then every overweight person would be diabetic. That is not the case. Sadly you might be trying to make a point but I can't see through the mean spirit of your post to even want to understand.

 

[Allison]

You statement on Type 2 diabetes is wrong and misguided. Some people may develop it from over eating but not everyone who has it overeats.. If it is just about the eating then every overweight person would be diabetic. That is not the case. Sadly you might be trying to make a point but I can't see through the mean spirit of your post to even want to understand.

It is not mean-spirited. It is used to make a point and your reaction proves the point.

 

[mummabear]

The OP stated that "he killed himself by taking pills". His autopsy was just completed yesterday and it will take weeks before results are in, so yes, I consider that an attack.

I guess some people are more sensitive then others.

 

[mummabear]

If we all went along with that silly measuring stick then we wouldn't be allowed to feel grief for members of the military we don't personally know. Or for Presidents. Or for the Pope. Or for people such as Mother Theresa, who none of us knew personally. See how rotten that measuring stick is???I

Heck, I feel grief for a dog rescued from a puppy mill that died, and I only knew him thru his facebook page. Yet I feel sorrow for a dog that had been thrown into a bucket to die, and was rescued, and only got to live 5 years out of a cage. No one has any right at all to tell others who it is ok to grieve for and who they cannot. NO ONE.

People question other people's actions and beliefs all the time on a wide range of topics this is no different.
I think maybe we are not understanding each other 100% I understand feeling sad, even for people you don't know and have no connection to.
I just don't understand feeling grief and needing to mourn someone just because they were famous. I think it is ridiculous to put a shrine on your front yard for a stranger because you liked their music. And the fact that they were rich and famous does not make their deaths anymore tragic then all they other people that die everyday

I've read something similar before on these boards, maybe it's new trendy thinking for some. People don't get more cool points for only grieving for people they think they know extremely well.
Some people can't manage more than one thing at a time. Others do just fine respectfully remembering a talented artist while also making it to work and getting dinner on the table.

It's not about cool points. I just don't get it. I feel like it is those of you "grieving" looking for cool points by filling your Facebook/Twitter feeds etc with RIP "insert current celebrity name"

 

[Disneylover99]

I guess some people are more sensitive then others.

Or some people are completely insensitive, to post something that at the moment, is unproven and possibly untrue.