| People are rarely good at facing death. We simply don't know what to do with ourselves when a family member, close friend, or beloved pet dies. Personally, I'm very aware of my own weakness and red eyes when it comes to the topic of my senior dog's last days (and I still probably have a good year left). What I never understood is the surprisingly dramatic response to celebrity deaths. Fans mourn over celebrities by leaving flowers, notes, and messages of gratitude for these famous people that they've probably never met. I first noticed this odd behavior when Princess Diana died in a fatal car accident years and years ago. I watched my mother cry as she watched the multiple news channels broadcasting the millions of fans and bouquets lined up at the palace gates. What? Why? In more recent years, the deaths of Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, and currently Steve Jobs were (imo) huge media sensations. What did these people do to earn the love and admiration of so many around the world? Sure, Heath Ledger was pretty cute and did a good acting job in Batman. Sure, Michael Jackson could dance anyone's pants off and made catchy music. Sure, Steve Jobs made good looking and user friendly technology. But, what else? Was I missing something here? My heart was completely untouched. Then, an epiphany. As I sat here studying anatomy/physiology, I came across a description of cell death as part of a bigger bodily system. "Change is constant in living things. Just like any other cell in the body, the old, worn-out ones are removed from service and replaced with young, fresh upstarts." This got me thinking. Perhaps the reason why people get so upset during celebrity death is this: it is an unwanted reminder of our own mortality. Celebrities that are so often placed on a pedestal and deemed 'untouchable' are just as easily taken away as us average folk. Their is no exception; no one is special. Suddenly, their lives are just as average and short, just as fleeting. Their deaths -- as unpredictable and uninvited as our own. Their shiny, glorified existence has no more armour against fate than our own dull, ordinary existence. If this is the reason why people are ridiculously sad over famous deaths, then I guess I can understand on some level. I can't help but still feel that the extreme fanfare is uncalled for, but I can more than relate to the fears and limitations of being human. Was I slow in realizing this? Is this even the reason? Does anyone else have a clue as to why people are so obsessed with celebrity deaths? |
