And everyone says "Who?"
Nick's death doesn't matter to anyone except the people that knew him, so he isn't "news".
I am trying to understand the outpouring of grief I am seeing about Brittany Murphy dying.
Sure...it's sad when ANYONE dies...but you people didn't KNOW her...you knew OF her.
You never met her, hung out with her, had her over for dinner, shared a joke on the phone, went shopping with her...
The same with Heath Ledger and Michael Jackson and all the other celebrities that die.
YOU DON'T KNOW THESE PEOPLE, SO WHY MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL FROM THEM DYING?
Sure, I can understand a conversation that goes "Wow...did you hear about the Murphy chick? What a shame."
But people that carry on like they lost their best friend when a celeb dies...I just don't get it.
Did the dead celeb know who YOU are? Probably not.
So why this intense outpouring of "grief" when someone you really had no contact with, other than seeing a movie or hearing them sing, dies?
By the way...Nicholas Ratcliffe was 24 years old...married for three months...died December 23rd, 2008. He is lovingly missed by his family and friends.
RIP Nick.
[question posted by The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
responses and comments:
TMZ RIP Nick ninja [sconibear]
I'm with you Mike, I guess when a celeb dies people have some sort of connection to them through the silver screen but other than that why the weeping? Its sad but its going to happen. Sorry to hear about your personal loss. [gitfiddleplayer]
i get so sick & tired of people being "overcome with grief" when some celeb dies. i was sad when Johnny Cash died because he was like an American icon. sad i've never even heard of Brittany Murphy.confused 24? that's really young. was it an accident? [skyhss]
She was an anorexic who destroyed her health and eventually had heart failure at a young age. What a waste she made of a perfectly good life. [mysticmaggie]
I have noticed the same social reaction when a celeb dies. It is crazy how emotional some people get. I take it Nick was someone you cared about. The name sounds familiar to me but I don't know him. Dying at such a young age is very sad. I hope his family is doing okay. Death can have many effects on a family. [royal52gens]
He was my oldest nephew. [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
Well, you have a point to some extent.. the actors may not have known us but as we watch certain actors for years and see their lives written about in the tabloids, we all feel we have invested something of ourselves in their lives.. I feel sorry for Brittany Murphy- I enjoyed watching some things she has done. I am sorry to that another young life Poor Nick Ratcliffe has passed. It is not fair when anyone so young passes on. I do know however a celebrity and am very close friends with his sister.. If he should pass on I would grieve.. not like all the rest. I will be grieving for his sister. As he is a famous Actor and everyone else will be mourning his loss.. I will be worried on how something like that would effect his sister (my friend). Because we have to remember that although they are famous actors and actresses etc, they still are somebody's loved one, they had a life other than in front of the camera and they still will be mourned. [minx267]
Not knowing them personally doesn't mean we can't grieve on their passing. The world has lost another entertainer . Her premature death is a big loss to the entertaining world and we the 'nobody' to her really feel the loss too. We have seen her on screen, we are entertained by her gifted talent and her sudden death come as a big shock to all those who knew her through her screen play. Like all celebs who have gone to their rest, these public figures have created a deep impression in the hearts of everyone who have supported them in their life as entertainers. sad [zandi458]
I don't have any feelings too on any celebs that passed away as I don't idol worship any of these entertainers. It is the media that turn the death of actors or actresses into a circus to sensationalize their death. [zandi458]
hiya Lamb I just don't get it either. I can understand why some people get so upset though because their idol won't be around to continue producing music, or movies or whatever else idols do. I know I shed a few tears for .... a certain celbrity that you dislike lol, but it was brief. Some people just go over the top with weeping and wailing like a banshee rolleyes I do feel for the fan, knowing how I felt when my idol went. Alice happy [Aliceinwebland]
Handsome lad too, sad loss I expect sad [Aliceinwebland]
His soul rest in peace. About your question concerning why people react the way they do when celebrities or people they've never had contact with die, I understand where exactly you are coming from. However, I think it's the influence the person had on them or the people around them that makes them to react the way they do. Personally, no death of a celebrity really had an effect on me except that of Michael Jackson and I think it was due to the fact that I thought he was a good person that somewhere along the line, he got misunderstood and misjudged and I felt sad for him that he didn't live long enough to correct the misjudgments and to get celebrated like the real celebrity that he was. So, there you have it... that's why I felt sad, not that I knew him personally or anything. [eseomame]
You have a point here, but it is in our nature to be sad about things that are not so important to us in general. And it is not only about death.For example, we feel sorrow when our favourite show is being cancelled, which is nothing compared to the fact that we've been fired the other day, but it is just thge way it goes. People tend to miss celebreties because they've watch them, they have admired them and more or less celebreties have become parts of our life. they may not be an important part, but still, we can feel sad about them and express our sorrow here. In conclusion I want to say that I feel soory for the family and friends of Nick Ratcliffe, too, even though I have never even heard of him.| It is always sad when you hear that somebody died so young I nearly cried when I read an article about a 6-years-old boy who got hit by a bus and died in front of his mother and sister. i don't even know his name, but I couldn't read the whole article, because I was going to cry. Do you think this is strange? I dont think so. It is just the way we are [thewayis]
I have to agree with you about the Murphy chick what a shame but seriously who really cares? we didnt KNOW her so why do we need 50 kazillion discussions about her death I am very sorry to hear about Nick was he kin to you? [wonttakelong]
My oldest nephew...he drove a big truck for PepsiCo and hit a patch of ice...in two days it will have been a year. [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
OMG Nick! Noooooooooooooooo Wait...who? Hey I started one of those Brittany Murphy discussions. But I'm not one of the people that will cry over a dead celebrity they didn't know. It's always sad when someone dies but it's a little sadder when you knew about the person through the media or somehow. But I'm "weeping" out of more selfish reasons like: Heath Ledger- "Damn, no Joker in the sequel." Michal Jackson- "Crap, no comeback tour. What will happen to the new album? I wanted to go on the concert..." But it's not that weird because people can even cry when a fictional character dies in the movie. The two celebrity deaths that effected me the most were Michael Jackson and Steve Irwin. Steve was such a cool guy whom I never knew... RIP Nick [Bionicman]
That was my first reaction too when Heath Ledger died - No Joker - I am ashamed to sayblush I guess we can miss celebrities that we don't know for selfish reasonsblush [thezone]
I hear you Mikey. Finally a voice of sanity in the dark. I too have often wondered at how someone can get so emotionally tied up in celebrities lives. It must be that they don't have any life of their own so they have to live vicariously through the lives of others. [savak03]
Hello, Lamb. I was going to start something about this as well, but you beat me to it. Yes, it's dreadfully sad that a young woman of her age with her life before her should die so suddenly, especially just before Christmas, but it's her family who are totally devastated, not her fans, and I think it's an insult to her memory that people do all this wailing and weeping and gnashing of teeth. Yes, she was a celebrity, but she was first and foremost a wife and daughter, and we don't own a piece of her, so we should leave the family to deal with the shock and grief of her loss in their own way. Actually, I'd never even heard of her until I saw news of her death last night. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Again, tragically young with his whole life ahead of him. Not a celebrity, but a husband and son who went too soon and made just as much of an impact on those who knew him as any celebrity. [Sandra1952]
Hey Lamb, I remember when Nick died and how it affected you and your Family. I didn't have to know him personally but knowing you from here made my Heart ache for you. I also don't understand the out pouring of grief. I do understand the compassion people have for those who loved these celebrities. If I have a favorite actor or actress and have seen many of their movies because their acting is really funny or they are extremely good dramatic actors and I love their work, then I feel sad at the loss of characters whose work I've come to enjoy. Beyond that, I'm at a loss. Leenie [leenie50]
Hi Lamby, well all this palaver really started with the royal in England as once the famous stiff upper lip there was let down by people carrying on over someone who was just celebrity newpaper fodder it began to take over. Hardly a single line given over to the wonderful writer Jefferey Bernard who died the same day and boy would he have loved a rollicking good send off. I don't get it at all. [thea09]
Prayers to the Family and friends of Nick, first off. Second, yes people live through famous people and for those who have attached themselves to certain celebs do morn the loss if not for the person for their own loss of hero/guide/person to imitate. People who live vicariously through the famous can go way over board, it has always been this way. [OpinionatedLady]
But we do remember those who go before us... Happy Holidays Be Blessed, Even in remembrance and in the mourning, Be of good Spirit, Sincerely, Gary [TheGreatWhiteBuffalo]
I'm sorry to hear about your nephew. :( Your thread has really made me realise something however. I've never really quite understood the celebrity thing either, although I don't pay a lot of attention to it as I'm a bit dissasociated from the Hollywood world. However now I start to realise a little of what it is about. If you started posting pictures of your nephew, or even telling us about him, like silly facts like who drove a big truck and worked for pepsi-co, that makes people feel a greater connection with him. It's inetresting. I guess people seeing all the Hollywood people on the tv and knowing all kinds of daft trivia about them they develop a greater attachment to them. I can't really explain it better than that and I feel I've explained it very badly, but I feel I now understand the whole thing a little better. I do however think that people should take more interest in the people around them and their lives! People develop these kind of connections with celebrities yet miss out on all the amazing REAL people around them. [willowgirl]
I raised this very same question when Michael Jackson died. I can readily appreciate the surprise that comes when someone well known dies, but the weeping and wailing, tearing of clothing and "it's the end of the world" that goes on is frankly preposterous. I can truthfully say that I know as much about Brittany Murphy as I do Nick Ratcliffe. Both were far too young to go at the ages that they did. But beyond that I can't help but feel that as a society we have become so inured from death that any reminder of our own mortality is unwelcome and is best "shouted down". As a now long dead friend of mine used to say: "Life is like a baby's vest. Short and Sh!tty". [p1kef1sh]
Lamb I know exactly what you mean some do get very over emotional when a celebrity dies, while I do hate to see someone go so young, I would not be hysterical over it. Sorry to hear about your nephew my friend, he was definitely too young to gosad I had a family member pass away this year and she is deeply missed. RIP Nick [thezone]
Sorry about your friend Nick passing so young. However, someone like Michael Jackson who I grew up with being only two years older it was very hard for me to accept. I understand where you are coming from though on most cases. Like Brittany Murphy, it was a shock and I don't feel I knew her at all like Michael Jackson. However, there will be girls and even guys who are around the same age that she was and feel they grew up with her and will feel her death more then I did. I have to say though yes she died way to young and yes she was a very good actress. That is all I knew about her. This is coming from a person who was turning 7 the day after JFK was assassinated and I was crying as if the world was coming to an end. [lelin1123]
Oh, don't get me wrong...I shed a tear or two over the deaths of John Lennon and Stevie Ray Vaughan...but I didn't have a public "OMG I can't believe this happened!" moment, because they were not people I KNEW... [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
Yip, it's ever a shame when someone dies so young, but, nope..didn't know her. However...I remember your Nick and I'm still huggin ya. [Irishfrndly65]
I was saddened to hear that Brittany Murphy died. She was so young!!! I was saddened last year when you told us that Nick had died. I didn't know either one of them. I had to looked Brittany up because I didn't remember which young lady she was. When I looked her up, I did recognize her as an actress I had enjoyed watching her movies. When Patrick Swayze died, I dayum near died with him!!! Had I ever met him??? NOOOOOO!!! Did I know him??? Probably not!!! I did know what his press agent & Patrick let us see of him. I must say though....EVERY step he took & EVERY word he spoke in any of his movies, I took with him or was spoken to me. He & I had a ton of fun in Dirty Dancing!!! Ghost was another of OUR love stories!!! I don't care what he was like in "real" life. I DO care how he made me feel when I watched his movies. He made me feel connected!!! I loved him as if we lived in the same house!!! I lived with my first husband & I wont even shed a tear when I hear that he has died. I must add....I've NEVER met you. I ONLY know what you tell me. However, when you die, I WILL BE HEARTBROKEN!!! cry You don't have to know somebody in the flesh to feel connected to them!!! Now it saddens me that you have NEVER felt that connection to anyone you haven't met!!! sad [LadyMarissa]
No...I have never felt that connection with someone I haven't interacted with. There is no interaction between you and a movie or you and a song...it is simply a one way reaction. [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
I am really sorry. I think the reason why people are so shocked when celebrities die is that.. they're celebrities. We find them different, superhumans.. divinities. That's why we get so upset -we just don't expect them to die. [Jargoness]
I see (and agree) your point.... but I was sad when a really goo online friend and her children were killed by a drunk, and I was told that though I knew this person for well over 3 years and had shared a lot of our lives.... it wasn't the same as a "real life" friend dying..... I interact with you even if it's just online and some of you become very important to me. I would be beyond sad if I were to lose you.... But I guess it's all in how a person looks at things..... [TLChimes]
But that is my point...we have no interaction with people in a movie...we only have a reaction to it. [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
Lamb you put into words exactly how I feel on the subject. i will admit I did feel personal pang of loss when Elvis died but that was because I had been in love with him from when I was 14 years old and his death made me finally realize he was not going to find me and declare his undying love for me!sad [whiteheather39]
I forgot to say how sad it is when when anyone as young as your friend dies. I find it shows you care when you remember the anniversary of his death. BTW I do not know who the celeb Brittany Murphy is. I have never even heard of her or seen her in a movie. [whiteheather39]
I think people just get attached to these celebrities and begin to feel like they are, indeed, good friends. I don't mind the attachments as much as I mind the crapola that goes along with the death of a celebrity. Poor Ms. Murphy had barely made the news when people were coming out of the woodwork saying it must be drug related. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. People have heart attacks all the time, young and old people, so why not a celebrity like Murphy? Why do people always think the worst of a celebrity that dies?? Sorry to hear the news about Nicholas Ratcliffe. I do hope he is resting in peace [fwidman]
****HUGS**** Very sorry to hear of Nick's death, Lamb. Guess the 23rd is going to be kinda rough this year. sad [blackbriar]
Sorry to hear of Nick's passing, too young I hear ya celebs always get more press than every day folks who were more deeply loved. There's a funeral parlor that has advertisements that ask people to pray for the families of the people who's names they list. It's done very tactfully btw. [3SnuggleBunnies]
Hey Mike, I can perfectly understand where you're coming from on this one~ I do know who Nicholas Ratcliffe was and I am very saddened that is will be a year that he died on December 23rd. And I do know how horrible it was that he died so young and his family was left without him, especially his wife of three months. I was here when it happended and it was truly heartbreaking. So as upsetting as some of those celeb deaths might have been, they mean absolutely nothing when compared to the death of someone that we actually knew, or someone else knew and loved~ I also lost a friend just recently who I cared very much for and that kind of death really hits home! So, may Nicholas Ratcliffe RIP~God Bless you Nick, your family loves and misses you so much. And to you Michael J. Radcliffe, my deepest condolences, Love always, Leslie [Opal26]
Ok! Griefing with someone whom you know is really hurts but griefing someone whom you never knew is so annoying. A lot of people around the world who don't knows some other artists like that one you've mentioned here. I'm not yet familiar to her and even her name. ^^, So, I think there's no need to grief to that person. ^^, [jerusalemreggie87]
Hey, Mike. I understand what you're saying here, but I believe that you don't have to FULLY know someone to become grief stricken when they pass away. I know the media likes to hype a celeb death-trying to get the entire country upset to sell more newspapers and such, but to some, Brittany Murphy and Heath Ledger may have been their idol--someone they looked up to, someone who's talents inspired them to pursue their own acting career (their dreams). And Michael Jackson may have inspired people to dance, sing, or just be happy by dancing and carrying-on to his music. I don't know from experience, but when a person's idol passes away, it's probably like strike to the heart because they looked up to this person soooo much...and now this person is gone... Even though he wasn't famous, I'm certain your nephew has inspired at least one person in his life and he may not have even known it. He could have given someone a nice compliment that gave them a bit more confidence, or someone may have seen his talents which inspired them to take a shot at something new. Given a complete stranger a good idea, or good advice. Sure, he might be "that guy who said I had a pretty smile" or "that guy who made me laugh on the crappiest day of my life" to these people, but I'm sure those people would be upset to know that "their guy" passed away. I'm just trying to say that anyone can make a huge difference to someone else and certainly will. I remember complete strangers to this day--just because they brought a smile to my face, gave me a compliment, or helped me out when I was feeling lousy. They definitely made a difference in my life...no matter how small...and I would feel sad if I knew they passed away because each and every one of them has made me a better person. RIP Nick. [SpaghettiEqualsYUMM]
Was Nick a truck driver for Pepsi-Cola? Yeah, I searched it because your right we don't mourn those we don't know. But we hear the story and alot of us do think of what sorrow it is to have one taken so young in the best beginning years of his life. I think we most likely mourn the idea of the person that is a celebrity. We don't know them personally no..but sometimes when we watch the characters they portray in movies we connect sometimes with them and their character, and we mourn the loss of a good actor/actress when they die for the same reasons. Or singers for the songs that touched our lives or a song that helped us through a rough patch..or a song that we heard while we were making memories..like the song that was playing when a couple first kissed,danced,said I love you, or all the other little things in life..It has to be hard right now for the family facing the first year anniversary of their loved ones being gone.. I know it was for me when it was a family member or friend. I am sure they will be missed but never forgotten. [mtdewgurl74]
Yeah, the anniversary of his death is tomorrow, and then Mom passed away in October, so it's the first Christmas without her...two less places at the table...but we all hold each other together, and there will be laughter and smiles...but still, those missing parts... [The_Lamb_Lies_Down]
i can't even picture who she is right now. i will say it's sad for someone to drop dead at 32..or 24 for that matter,celebrity or not.that's just too young.sad [scarlet_woman]
It's as if people feel they knew the celebrity, of course. And because 32 is just too darn young. But so is 24... RIP. [dawnald]
I still wonder how she passed away. Anyone got any idea? Life is so fragile. Why such a young girl can die so easily? I am so thankful from God because i had recovered from life threatning illness (lymphoma cancer) in year 2008 and remission now. Thank you God and my supportive parents, sister, loving boyfriend, relatives, friends, church friends and many more. I hope that i can get marry by next year. [jilshi]
Apparently it's because she had the flu really bad and she was prescribed some kind of medicine. I guess her body couldn't handle it because she collapsed on her bathroom floor and went into cardiac arrest. [snafushe]
People like to dramatize and glamorize death. People like to get attention by claiming they knew the person that died, which is pretty pathetic. Yet it still is sad when the better entertainers are gone because it means no more good work from them. Like no more Heath Ledger movies, which sucks because I really liked him. No more Michael Jackson music, I love his music. I am not deeply saddened by their deaths, I don't cry or anything. I am still going to express some remorse over their death though. [snafushe]
I don't know who Nick Ratcliffe is, I am sorry. I know Brittany Murphy from the "Clueless" film and from the films she did with Dakota Fanning and Ashton Kutcher. She was a cute actress, and it is so sad that she passed away so soon. She was 32. She was pretty young, but also very sick. She was trying to put on some weight, and people said that she was having some medical problems. She died of natural causes. My heart goes out to her husband and family. She wanted to have a family. [rogue13xmen13]
I don't know why people mourn celebrities either. I am not really mourning her death, but I am curious as to how and why she died because of her age? She wasn't like other celebrities. She didn't party hard or anything like that. She loved her family and was a family person. It's just so strange. [rogue13xmen13]
Thank you so much for your discussion!!! I haven't ever understood the "mourning" for a passing celeb. Look at Michael Jackson. His estate is making millions from the people spending their money on his CD's, Movie, DVD, Memorabilia, and even getting to go to the memorial service. He did nothing more than make a name for himself as a performer. He wasn't giving away his songs to these people, and like you said there wasn't a close personal relationship with the man. They found hundreds of prescription drugs, including those that LIGHTEN THE SKIN. He claimed in interviews that they didn't know why his skin was turning white. Was he taking these drugs because he was ashamed of what he was born as? I may be considered as stupid, but I have never heard of Brittany Murphy. I agree it is sad that she passed away, but you have to look at the fact that her "crowd" isn't the normal person who would be screaming their brains out if they saw Murphy and touched her. I don't understand that either, but like I say, I'm not too bright. I sat and talked to the star of High Chaparral for several hours at the San Francisco Airport. He was wonderful, polite, and a very intelligent man. I was saddened when he passed away, simply because I got to talk to the man and found him highly interesting. I didn't ask for an autograph, I didn't swoon when I met him, I didn't scream and try to tear his clothes off (humm, wonder if a naked star is built differently than a naked plain person?), I just totally enjoyed his company. People that have given to the world have received less attention than those who have made a huge name for themselves in various tabloid publications. I remember when the celebs needed to live a bit more exemplary life, as they were heroes to some. Of course I can see how people can react to a celeb death as losing a friend as they allow themselves to slip into the world of fantasy and that these celebs are their friends. But somewhere along the line they need to do a reality check. They need to look at the way Michael died. He wasn't saving a life, he wasn't suddenly taken when he was serving meals at a homeless center, he wasn't killed trying to stop a robbery, he died from his own dependence on a medication that wasn't supposed to be administered outside of a hospital. I bet Nick was a wonderful young man; he was sweet, loving, funny, and smart. He may have never achieved enormous fame, but he was famous in people's hearts that knew him. I admire the man, and never knew him. He had to be the best for you to write such a heartfelt discussion. [Loverbear]
I'm Sorry for Your Family's loss,Lamb..... No,I don't get the "hysterical fan" thing,either..it seems some people have enough room in their emotions for people they've never met or seen unless on the silver screen,and can feel and express the grief when they pass.. [ShepherdSpy]
I'm so sorry about Nick. To tell you the truth I didn't know who was Britanny Murphy, so when I read that she has died I first thought "who?". I can't understand either the big fuss about famous people dieing when they're not close to us. The really painful thing is when someone close to us die, but for people who we don't know... every die is a tragic thing, but I don't think their lifes are more important because they're famous. [madteaparty]
condolences lamb. my prayers go to nick and to the family and loved ones he left behind. [allen0187]
Life can be quite unfair sometimes. Those people who deserve to have a full promising life ahead of them gets taken early. Condolences.. To provide a bit of an opinion to your question. I think that there are just people who are very emotional to the point that they'd weep when they see the first leaf fall in Autumn. Though those are the extreme of cases. Those fans who cry and wail at their favorite celebrities' death might have felt the sense of family with the characters and the work that the celebrities do. Its like they have the illusion that they are close with the celebrities, that when the actors/actresses die, its either they feel the loss of a loved one, or reality sets in that they're in no way affiliated with their 'idol/hero'. In short terms, its kinda like mind over matter(reality). [bjcyrix]
Well said. I have also seen people especially girls cry over the death of their favorite celebrity. Apart from the grief some people also praise the celebrity. People just simply assume that the celebrity was a good person who is going to heaven. As if celebrities do not go to hell. For me it was a surprise that she dies so young. There was a little bit of grief for the same reason. It would be the same for any other person who died young, including Nicholas Ratcliffe. [VANILLAREY]
You make a very valid point. It is amazing how many people react over the death of someone they don't know. The other thing that blows me away is the huge funeral that was done for Michael Jackson, come on, we didn't see anything like that for Johnny Cash, Chubby Checker, Liberace, Elvis, Farah Facet or many other well named stars that have passed. And that gold coffin, come on.... Why does he get that kind of treatment where his funeral is even televised. That really irritated me. Farah died from cancer just a few days prior to MJ passing on. They are people just like the rest of us. People that many of us didn't know personally and yet, look what happens. I can understand reacting the way these people we have seen do, if they personally knew the person who passed but, my goodness. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your nephew, I hope that you and your family have found peace and that he is too at peace. [chulce]
I never understood the big deal over Michael Jackson. His career was down. He may or may not have had questionable morals. Yet they made it seem like the President had died. [burrito88]
This is exactly my point. Some of my friends grieved over MJ's death. No problem. But when he died, they practically downloaded all his songs as if they appreciated that before. No problem with those who were really fanatic. Some documentaries can be tearjerking sometimes, and some life (and death) stories can really be emotional that's why I would understand if somebody bursts into tears although she or he wasn't really close to celebs. I just didn't want to react against them because I guess it's rude. When I die, I too might want for people to at least be sad about it and not rejoice over my loss.lol I guess let's just let them be. People are unique. By the way, condolences to your friend. It;s sad when somebody dies. It's a normal feeling to be sad [Theresaaiza]
I understand your point, but at the same time who are you to say who people should or shouldn't care about? Just because you haven't met someone or hung out with someone doesn't mean you didn't have some impact on your life. When some celebrities die, some people dont care, but some do. If they had some impact on their life then anyone has a right. Its just the same thing if one of my friends friends dies, I may not haev known him or her, but I still feel horrible for my friend and for the family of the deceased. I just dont think you have a right to come in here and tell people not to grieve. You dont know a situation unless you are in it. I have lost a lot of people close to me in my life throughout the twenty five years i was alive. Its no ones business but their business if they want to be upset about someone dying. Even if it is Brittany Murphy, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Chris Henry, or their mother! Be a little considerate. The one reason I do think that their deaths are broadcast, is because we as civiliams support their lives and careers. We are the ones w ho buy their cds or watch their movies. Just like your loss was probably advertised in the local newspaper, this is just more widely broadcast, because people all over the world knew of these celebrities. [nrn2003]
I also thought "Who?" when you said Brittany Murphy, I know more about "Nick" than whoever she is. People think I'm cold because when people die I'm not all upset about it, fair enough if children die it's sad and you feel sorry for the family, but when adults die, people are shocked and it's not like everyone is going to live forever. I agree with you, be sad because someone you know about has died, but don't be like they were your best friend. Just looked her up, it is sad because she was only 32 though, but I'm not losing any sleep over it, it's life, people die. [RieRie]
All I have to say is Rest in peace for both of them. *Minutes silence....* [Revan2009]
You did an intelligent analysis on that particular side of the world, my friend. Yes, you right those people sympathize with the dead celebrity being emotional than those family members...They don't actually know them by that pass away celebrity. [aerous]
I agree with you one hundred and ten percent! To me, when a celeb dies, sadly most of the time from their own actions, people seem intent on putting on a final show for them. Seeing crowds of people holding candlelight vigils, filling up a spot with pictures, stuffed animals, flowers, etc. to show their 'love' for a person they never met, never had a meal with, never knew what they were really like but only what 'face' was put on the person by his/her handlers, seems like an amazing waste of time and effort. The time wasted on such silliness could be better spent bringing a stuffed animal to a dying child in a hospital, bringing flowers to someone in a senior center who never gets visitors, taking pictures of the child you became a big brother or big sister to, or helping a disabled person celebrate a candlelight service by assisting them in holding their candle. These are flesh and blood people you have a chance to know and make a difference in their lives. The plastic celeb you worship never knew you and with Death's visit, never will and he/she did not miss not knowing you. Had you died instead, you would not have appeared on their radar screen as a minor blip except if perhaps you died on death row in prison. For you see, there they could bring attention to themselves by pushing against your death. And attention to their being was their only priority most of the time. Hero worship of strangers eludes me, be that person a world leader, actor, singer, or, sports figure. They are people who go to the john just like us, put their clothes on the same way and if they break a sweat, they need a shower just as we do. Only if I see one of these people truly being kind to those who cannot promote them in any way, do they get my respect. Only one person has grabbed my attention for her actions, but when Mother Theresa passed away, there were no special shows, parades, vigils or toys by trees. She passed as quietly as she lived and yet her life encompassed so many others in her willingness to give of herself wholeheartedly. What a beautiful person! [mysticmaggie]
I feel bad when a celebrity dies but I do not get over emotional because I do not know them that well. There are people who are fans of celebrities and when anyone of them dies they get very emotional because they will no see them in movies, on tv or in magazines anymore. Everyone does grieve in their own way and some of the fans just show more emotion then others do. [happy6162]
Some people sympathize with what the family's going through on a personal level. Sometimes its just plain old "WIERD". [ziyadahinc212]
Sorry about your loss... I guess we make such a big spill over some of the stars because some of them that have died we have followed through their careers... Brittany Murphy, Heath Ledger dying so expectant and at such a young age... they never had a chance to see what a good life may bring to them....some of the ones this year I have watched on TV since I was a little girl.... although I do not know them personally you do have a since of grief..... I am 39 yo so growing up with some of these has been a long time. [hagirl]
I don't feel an emotional grief when celebs die. I get this bummed feeling b/c that could have been someone I know or, like with Patrick Swayze, it brings back a moment when I think of someone who died the way they did. Cancer runs in my family so I think back to them and I think how the family must feel. But I don't get "overcome with grief". I don't understand how people can get so attached to people they didn't even know. Sorry about your Nick though. R.I.P. Nick. [dotchianni]
You're right. People these days pay more attention to the famous that they never met than the ordinary people who have passed. My parents and sister passed away, did they get recognition? Oh of course not. They were't anybody special except to me and my brother. [marysia66]
I love the irony in the discussion. I am so with you on this topic. I don't understand why people practically want to die because their star "hero" is no longer breathing. Did you see what happened when Elvis died? It looked like the whole world was crying. I can understand if someone can empathize and feel a bit sad because losing a life isn't pleasant, but to idolize people in Hollywood is actually very difficult to understand. [libby2009]