Poll: Celebrity Deaths...who really cares?

[dehawaiiansupaman]

Matters if I know or even care about the actor/actress/musician/writer/director. When Roy Scheider died I was a little upset ("damn the chief from Jaws died? That sucks") and the same when Dio died.

I'm was a little sad when I opened firefox this morning and saw that Dennis Hopper died.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

H-Why?

The viewpoint stated in the OP is particularly childish and, to an extent, rather insulting; the concept of feeling emotionally distraught after a celebrity dies is pretty easy to understand.

First and foremost, people will feel, to some degree, as though they know that celebrity; primarily due to mass media. The most recent, and extreme, example will have been Michael Jackson, who was an extremely famous public figure - people adored him because, although they didn't know him personally, they enjoyed his music, his public persona and just, in general, could appreciate due to this coverage the kind of person he was.

The second reason is that, to some degree, we see these people are talented in their field. You can disagree all you want, I couldn't care less, but people are generally famous (to the point people will grieve for them) because they are talented. It's always sad to know that a talented person will never be able to perform their talent again; especially if it's someone like a musician whom the person likes.

A person doesn't have to know someone personally to feel grievances. A lot of people on this thread have stated they feel upset to a degree because a human being has died; I don't believe that, if that were true they would be upset all the time - there is a constant stream of deaths reported in the news. The reason, I am sure, is due to the attachment felt by people through the media, and through that celebrities talent.

Don't be so insulting and childish (your poll options) and think before you insult those that are able to express their emotions in a superior manner to yourself.

I apologize if I insulted you or I came across childish as that is not my intent.
I was honestly asking why people get attached to these celebrity deaths. I honestly do not. I think it bothers me that humanity will grieve more in their lifetime for celebrities but not for people in their own communities, or for doctors, teachers, etc. People who also have talents but just aren't in the media.

And as for "being able to express their emotions in a superior manner to myself", who's being insulting and childish now? You sound like a really pretentious twat when you say it like that. No offense. Just because I don't feel grief for a celebrity doesn't mean my emotions are any less important than yours. Sorry if the poll options aren't the best, but I guess that's them apples it won't let me edit it now.

 

[D_987]

I apologize if I insulted you or I came across childish as that is not my intent.
I was honestly asking why people get attached to these celebrity deaths. I honestly do not.

This makes no sense; especially as I just basically explained it to you; those will be the two main reasons.

I think it bothers me that humanity will grieve more in their lifetime for celebrities but not for people in their own communities, or for doctors, teachers, etc. People who also have talents but just aren't in the media.

If they know that doctor and teacher then people will grieve for them, but no doubt they won't if they don't. The thing I'm having trouble understanding is that you don't seem to understand that celebrities play a big part in culture, and arguably play an important role in peoples lives - more-so than that local teacher the person has never seen, spoken to or heard about.

And as for "being able to express their emotions in a superior manner to myself", who's being insulting and childish now? You sound like a really pretentious twat when you say it like that. No offense.

Pretentious is the wrong word for that context; in my eyes you're insulting those that grieve for others, and that's my view on the matter. Could it be interpreted as insulting? To a degree yes, but I also believe it's true - you don't appear to understand these peoples emotions, thus they are able to express their feelings of celebrities despite people such as yourself mocking them - thus in my eyes they are superior.

Just because I don't feel grief for a celebrity doesn't mean my emotions are any less important than yours. Sorry if the poll options aren't the best, but I guess that's them apples it won't let me edit it now.

Ah, so we come to the crux of it - you didn't understand what I meant by that comment. I never said, nor would I say, that your emotions are less important, only that you do not appear to fully understand, nor appreciate emotion. The poll options are pretty much the insulting area of your thread; the fact there is no way to vote that you care without insulting yourself or the celebrity is, as stated earlier, childish.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

I apologize if I insulted you or I came across childish as that is not my intent.
I was honestly asking why people get attached to these celebrity deaths. I honestly do not.

This makes no sense; especially as I just basically explained it to you; those will be the two main reasons.

Ever occur to you that maybe you didn't explain it very well? Or maybe I just don't agree with your reasons? In any case people have been giving me their reasons and I have been reading them, which is enough for me even if I don't agree with them. If I still don't understand it at the end of the day then oh well.
But I'm sorry, your explanation is not the be and end all of all replies that perfectly sums up how everyone feels. If you think that everyone who reads your reasons is going to agree that you perfectly explained it, then you are really full of it. People have had varying opinions on this subject. So if you assume I "make no sense" simply because my questions do not fit into your little mold, then I guess that's your problem really.

I think it bothers me that humanity will grieve more in their lifetime for celebrities but not for people in their own communities, or for doctors, teachers, etc. People who also have talents but just aren't in the media.

If they know that doctor and teacher then people will grieve for them, but no doubt they won't if they don't. The thing I'm having trouble understanding is that you don't seem to understand that celebrities play a big part in culture, and arguably play an important role in peoples lives - more-so than that local teacher the person has never seen, spoken to or heard about.

I understand celebrities play a big part in culture. I don't think that they deserve to be appreciated more than other people however, especially those that make more important contributions to society. In my comment what really bothers me is that we as people don't make celebrities out of our doctor's and teachers, etc. Of course if no one knows about a doctor's death then they won't think to care. Does that justify it? Why is Dennis Hopper dying newsworthy when a Neurosurgeon dying, who has saved hundred's of people's lives, won't even see the paper?

And as for "being able to express their emotions in a superior manner to myself", who's being insulting and childish now? You sound like a really pretentious twat when you say it like that. No offense.

Pretentious is the wrong word for that context; in my eyes you're insulting those that grieve for others, and that's my view on the matter. Could it be interpreted as insulting? To a degree yes, but I also believe it's true - you don't appear to understand these peoples emotions, thus they are able to express their feelings of celebrities despite people such as yourself mocking them - thus in my eyes they are superior.

How is that any different from my supposedly insulting poll then? I am not trying to mock anyone honestly. You just are taking what I am saying with a knee jerk reaction and being insulted by it. Then when you go and say that your emotions are superior to mine, it's somehow not the same?
Everyone else on this forum for the most part has not felt insulted or felt like I am mocking them. You seem to be the only one beating this into the dirt. You are hell bent on telling me what I did or didn't mean to say and how I should feel. All I am doing is explaining how I feel and asking people why the feel the way they do. You are the one using insulting words like "childish" and implying my emotions are inferior.

Just because I don't feel grief for a celebrity doesn't mean my emotions are any less important than yours. Sorry if the poll options aren't the best, but I guess that's them apples it won't let me edit it now.

Ah, so we come to the crux of it - you didn't understand what I meant by that comment. I never said, nor would I say, that your emotions are less important, only that you do not appear to fully understand, nor appreciate emotion. The poll options are pretty much the insulting area of your thread; the fact there is no way to vote that you care without insulting yourself or the celebrity is, as stated earlier, childish.

So how exactly was I supposed to take the line about people being able to experience emotions on a superior level to mine? Was I not supposed to take that like you are an arrogant snob? Read the sentence again from my perspective. Everyone feels emotions. Just because I don't understand yours doesn't mean that yours are superior to mine.

As far as you not thinking I fully understand emotion or appreciate it, well that's your opinion I guess, but I would argue that nobody knows how to fully understand or appreciate emotion. It is a lifelong lesson that is ever changing. As far as myself, I can say that no, I don't understand other people's emotions. Hence this thread. Can I appreciate them? Not always, nor do I think I should have to. Sometimes I don't agree with how people react emotionally. Can I accept them? Sure, I'm not forcing anyone to think or feel like me. I have my own emotions to worry about so I spend more time trying to understand those.
In my opinion anyone who claims to understand other people's emotions is only kidding themselves. You can never understand the emotion of a rape victim until you have been raped. Just as an example.

In any case, this whole thread all I was doing was asking the very simple question of "Why are people bothered by celebrity deaths"? That's it. I wasn't talking down to anyone. I haven't replied to everyone's posts saying "Your feelings are inferior to mine". I still think you're one of 2 people or so that I noticed that actually was bothered by the poll. I can't change it now so just get over it as you know I can't edit it anyway. I've already apologized to you for it, even though I don't think it was that bad, maybe it just needed a couple of more options.
This entire time however, you have been talking down to me rather than just discussing with me. This entire thread has been about me understanding other people's perspectives. Why don't you get off your high horse for a few minutes and try to understand where I am coming from, rather than assuming your emotions are superior to mine? If you won't then just don't bother replying, I grow weary of this.

I replied within the quotes as I am lazy, so read the italicized stuff ^

 

[D_987]

Ever occur to you that maybe you didn't explain it very well? Or maybe I just don't agree with your reasons? In any case people have been giving me their reasons and I have been reading them, which is enough for me even if I don't agree with them. If I still don't understand it at the end of the day then oh well.
But I'm sorry, your explanation is not the be and end all of all replies that perfectly sums up how everyone feels. If you think that everyone who reads your reasons is going to agree that you perfectly explained it, then you are really full of it. People have had varying opinions on this subject. So if you assume I "make no sense" simply because my questions do not fit into your little mold, then I guess that's your problem really.

I explained it in an easily understandable manner. The answer I gave is the accepted answer within Sociology; I suppose I could have, as a previous poster did, liken these Celebrities to Gods, but I felt there was no point in repeating old ground. None-the-less you're acting childish once more, with lines such as "I guess that's your problem really". It isn't my problem that you have trouble understanding peoples emotions.

I understand celebrities play a big part in culture. I don't think that they deserve to be appreciated more than other people however, especially those that make more important contributions to society. In my comment what really bothers me is that we as people don't make celebrities out of our doctor's and teachers, etc. Of course if no one knows about a doctor's death then they won't think to care. Does that justify it? Why is Dennis Hopper dying newsworthy when a Neurosurgeon dying, who has saved hundred's of people's lives, won't even see the paper?

I've already explained why once; you just seem to be asking the same questions over and over - rejected all answers. I gain the impression don't want to understand but remain ignorant that you're somehow special for not caring, or having an opposing viewpoint to society. I'll try again; there are many Neurosurgeons that have done remarkable things, but at the end of the day what they do is not, in the media's eyes, as interesting, or will touch as many people as a famous singer or actor; therefore the famous person people know, and feel a connection with (rather than someone they don't know at all) will move them. That persons death won't see the paper because it's not in the public interest - the majority of people won't know the Neurosurgeon, but they will know the Celebrity.

How is that any different from my supposedly insulting poll then? I am not trying to mock anyone honestly. You just are taking what I am saying with a knee jerk reaction and being insulted by it. Then when you go and say that your emotions are superior to mine, it's somehow not the same?

Everyone else on this forum for the most part has not felt insulted or felt like I am mocking them. You seem to be the only one beating this into the dirt. You are hell bent on telling me what I did or didn't mean to say and how I should feel. All I am doing is explaining how I feel and asking people why the feel the way they do. You are the one using insulting words like "childish" and implying my emotions are inferior.

This argument again? I already stated I did not claim your emotions were inferior, just ignorant of others - there is a difference. You are stating I am claiming your feelings do not matter; I am stating you do not understand others - big difference. Such a comment is childish, through the fact you refuse to see I am not insulting you - you demand almost pity in claiming such a thing; thus such a comment; similar to your earlier one is childish in my eyes.

So how exactly was I supposed to take the line about people being able to experience emotions on a superior level to mine? Was I not supposed to take that like you are an arrogant snob? Read the sentence again from my perspective. Everyone feels emotions. Just because I don't understand yours doesn't mean that yours are superior to mine.

This is getting slightly ridiculous - perhaps you should re-read my reply before making such a point. I've explained why your poll was insulting and what I meant with that comment - you're just bringing hysteria into the equation for little reason; I'll say little more on the subject - you don't seem capable of understanding the simple concept...

As far as you not thinking I fully understand emotion or appreciate it, well that's your opinion I guess, but I would argue that nobody knows how to fully understand or appreciate emotion. It is a lifelong lesson that is ever changing. As far as myself, I can say that no, I don't understand other people's emotions. Hence this thread. Can I appreciate them? Not always, nor do I think I should have to. Sometimes I don't agree with how people react emotionally. Can I accept them? Sure, I'm not forcing anyone to think or feel like me. I have my own emotions to worry about so I spend more time trying to understand those.
In my opinion anyone who claims to understand other people's emotions is only kidding themselves. You can never understand the emotion of a rape victim until you have been raped. Just as an example.

You can understand emotion, to a large degree; there is always a cause and thus an effect. You're poll, and posting manner do not match with this explanation. You just admitted that this entire thread; and your argument is both entirely pointless; as you feel you can't "understand other peoples emotions" (the point I've made twice now...) so why make a thread asking why?

What's more, you even accept my argument that you cannot fully appreciate emotions to be true...just why are you arguing with me if you agree with what I've been saying?

*Pointless paragraph that re-hashes the same points as before and even contradicts points made in the previous paragraph*

I feel no need to reply to this paragraph.

This entire time however, you have been talking down to me rather than just discussing with me. This entire thread has been about me understanding other people's perspectives. Why don't you get off your high horse for a few minutes and try to understand where I am coming from, rather than assuming your emotions are superior to mine? If you won't then just don't bother replying, I grow weary of this.

How hypocritical of you. In implying I am "talking down" to you, then demanding I "get off my high horse" you're are attempting to "talk down to me".

Regardless your idea of "discussion" appears to be not pointing out the errors in your post, not making logical ideas out of what you have posted and not having an opinion beyond an explanation. If such points are what you consider to be a "discussion" then I doubt you'll find many people to "argue" with because you demand they near agree with your points whilst you argue fine details. You grow weary because you act in hysteria and constantly repeat already refuted arguments; most of this post has already been answered yet still you reply demanding more explanation....

Just the fact you whine about a point I made in one paragraph, yet agree with it in the next, proves you're arguing through the need to do so alone.