Okay, I've resisted writing a Michael Jackson post until after he was buried. And in fairness, this isn't really about him. But, here are some of my thoughts.
T-SHIRTS – Michael Jackson died late on Thursday afternoon, June 25th. On Sunday afternoon, June 28th, about 72 hours later, while we were at the Taste of Chicago, Cora and I saw people wearing different styles of Michael Jackson Tribute T-Shirts.
These weren't crappy, home made iron on things that people made on their ink jet printers. These were quality t-shirts with well done graphics and looked to be on reasonable quality cotton.
Think about that. Less than 72 hour for someone to design, silk screen, and distribute the shirts. Not sure if I should be impressed or repulsed. And I wonder if it's like obituaries, where they have them ready to go, and all you need to do is add a date or something, and start the production run.
I bet in the last week and a half, the t-shirt guys have made more money off of Michael than his record label has in years up to that point. And I'm not sure I feel good about that, either.
MEDIA – I'm almost starting to wonder if the "leadership" in Iran had Michael assassinated, in order to swing the media spot light off of them. If they did, it worked. I'm pretty sure I know how I feel about the media coverage of this whole affair. I've been desperately trying to avoid this sideshow, but it's not easy.
So, I've distracted myself with the whole Steve McNair thing, instead. As a Steeler's fan, I often rooted against the Oiler/Titan/Raven QB, but with respect. This is a real shame.
PRODUCTIVITY – During the memorial service, our internet connection at work was super slow with people streaming the video feeds. Really? You can't watch at home? It took me forever to try to navigate around my vendor's sight looking up the status on an issue. I finally gave up and did something else.
Our crack networking team shrugged and went back to talking about the Tour de France. Thanks guys.
VICTIM STATUS – Michael Jackson was not a victim of his celebrity. Michael Jackson was a victim of Michael Jackson. He was an adult who chose to live his life not grounded in the real world that you and I know. He had lots and lots of enablers, I'll give you that. But he was an adult who made choices, and he should be used as a cautionary tale in the celebrity world: This could happen to you. Sadly, I fear too many wouldn't think it was such a bad deal.
16 comments:
I have nothing to add, other than to say, Well said, my friend. Well said.
I agree, seeing people in those t-shirts so soon shocked me too. They must have gone into instant production the second the news hit. It's disgusting, actually.
I don't know about you, but I don't imagine the t-shirt company owners were sad about the death in any way whatsoever; I'm pretty sure they were walking with a spring in their step while dollar signs lit up their eyes. If I had been a MJ fan, there's NO WAY I would have purchased one of those shirts!
Bravo-
On a more positive note, I was in France and saw Mr. Armstrong win his seventh Tour De France with my very own eyes.
I've never seen the (very) old adage of "de mortuis nil nisi bonum" (of the dead, (speak) nothing but good) be played out quite like it has been with Michael Jackson.
Couldn't agree more. As a matter of fact, I am putting up a post about the coverage right now.
I appreciate this post. It's one of the few (perhaps the only) I've read that doesn't trash talk Michael Jackson and doesn't place him on a pedastal either. Thanks for posting your thoughts. Kinda at a loss for words about the whole t-shirt thing.
*puts Blackberry down and proceeds to nod and clap slowly*
Good perspective here. Well done.
Did you actually see a Captain Eo shirt? I sooooo want it.
The last paragraph: Love it! Thank you!
Well stated and I agree completely!
T-shirts - I'm not at ALL surprised.
Media - try living in L.A. since the 25th. Grr!
Productivity - the news broke here around 2:30 pm. 10 minutes later, my computer became a useless brick.
"Victim" status - people have said that he was 'child-like' yet 'a savvy businessman'. Make up your mind. He was an adult who made choices that weren't the best.
Word. I'll be happy if I never hear another "news" piece about MJ.
PS - Dude. You're in IT, and you wrote sight for site?
Thanks all for the comments. I just wanted to get some thoughts out that I had been kind of hearing around in whispers, but not really out loud.
And Soda & Candy - I am in IT. I rely on SpellCheck. Homonyms really are my bane.
Well stated...and enough with the tshirts...your last paragraph is spot on.
I concur wholeheartedly!
I agree with everything you said. It really is just crazy. I saw cakes that had 1958-2009 on them with his picture, at cake wrecks. That was just scary.
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