Comments on: Michael Jackson Overload

By: Hugo

Hugo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Yes, I know, I know. And you’re right: you’re just the messenger.

Were I to have the privilege of a chat with Q, I doubt that MJ would be high on my list of talking points.

(Same goes for you, btw.)

By: Rick Turner

Rick Turner — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:25:28 +0000

Hugo, maybe you should tell that to Quincy Jones. I’m just the messenger here, not the author of the message.

But facial reconstruction? Nosectomies galore? Cleft chin modification? Skin peels and bleaching? I think Q knows more than we do…

By: Hugo

Hugo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:50:52 +0000

Sorry, I meant “who”, not “whe”. I’m not even sure that “whe” is a word, apart from, perhaps, skydiviers as the jump from aircraft…”wheee!”

By: Hugo

Hugo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:32:17 +0000

Oh Jeepers, Rick, that’s just not fair. So what, that the man sought surcease from his dangerous Vitiligo; doesn’t mean that he wished not “to be black”. (By the way, what sense does that make in the context of a pysche whe spent his life as a James Brown wannabe?)

Ease up, bro. Let him be.

By: Rick Turner

Rick Turner — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:04:16 +0000

Here’s some of the most sensible talk from someone who actually knew MJ:

http://men.style.com/details/features/full?id=content_9937&pageNum=1

By: Hugo

Hugo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:48:00 +0000

Too bad, Bernie, that you hadn’t written earlier to advise us of our proper national agenda in lieu of mourning one of our more absurd celebrities. If only your advice had come sooner, lest we–how shall we put it?–distract ourselves with expressions of the loss of a mere entertainer.

You’re quite right to remind us that during WWII there was no time for levity. Fully from December 8, 1941 until

By: marylandonmymind

marylandonmymind — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:31:09 +0000

Yep, America is on the cusp of historic CHANGE:

1) Universal health care
2) Economic upheaval and downward adjustment of the American lifestyle
3) Cap and Trade — getting a handle on global warming
4) Reform of the financial industry.
5) Death of the big-city newspaper industry. Possible death of network and local TV news.

Personally, I haven’t written a single word about the King of Pop on my blog, and I don’t plan to. — Bernie

By: Hugo

Hugo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:25:38 +0000

I guess I see these MJ strings as studies in judgmentalism, including my own judgmentalism. Without reference to MJ’s personal life, his music is, here, justly up for grabs. Jon and others imply that he was touted beyond his talent. That’s certainly so. Who among us would admit that, say, Elli Wiesel likewise was overblown? My point is that it happens all the time, but at the center is still a person who has either something to say or else a fresh way to say the same old shit, or perhaps, if we’re lucky, something fresh to say in a new way.

To me, if an artist is an artist, I’m for her. I don’t quibble with the art; I want more artists and I want them to thrive. So you’re either an artist or you’re not. Michael Jackson was born infused with artistic talent. Sure, I wish he’d used his obvious gifts more originally, but at least he used them, to the delight of countless people throughout the globe (–er, glove).

Goodie for us that we know the difference between a true musician and an entertainer. But there’s much to be said for entertainers, and Jehovah knows MJ was one.

By: Roman

Roman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:23:23 +0000

Jon,

“If all news and all culture has to be sensational, then we’re fucked.”

Yes we are, on so many levels.

Do you discuss “perception management” in any of your courses?

By: Alex Bowles

Alex Bowles — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:07:56 +0000

practical men with impractical goals.

I like that. Also, it explains a lot.