Poll: Whose death did you take harder?

[DirkGently]

I think in the wake of the pedophilia allegations we often forget how absolutely massive Jackson was, and whether you despised the man or you would let him babysit for you, his music was tremendous and the defining sound of the last quarter of the twentieth century.

Let's not forget how much Jackon did to get black artist onto mainstream television like MTV. Jackson's label threatened MTV to pull all of their artists off if they didn't play his videos. Or put in another way: it took Jackson's death to get the channel to start playing music videos again. I'm not saying Jackson is responsible for getting rid of racial segregation, but he at least helped pave the way.

Carlin is undoubtedly a big loss but like my hero Bill Hicks his message will live on in his fans, and Cronkite can't be undervalued as one of the finest journalists to have lived.

You have mentioned three of my greatest heroes in one sentence. I salute thee!

You make it sound like there is something redeemable about MTV or that he was such a great boon black people what with getting his skinned bleached white. Likewise, someone who makes step forward in equality and what not is not to be credited with it without altruistic intent.

And why the fuck should *anyone* get upset over the death of a celebrity, someone, who, most likely, they've never met, discoursed with, or had a serious emotional bond with, something they couldn't have done because they've never met the ************. Christ it's not like he was important.

EDIT:

Also, to anyone who doesn't know who George Carlin was, just, wow. He was one of the funniest and most influential comedians, right there with Lenny Bruce. And yes, you should fucking google him too.

 

[asinann]

The only two reasons for George Carlin to have not influenced your life in some way if you are American: you never watch TV or listen to the radio (the 7 words wasn't just an act, those words were the 7 codified by the FCC) or you were expecting it (he WAS fairly old and he looked like a corpse in his last special.)

 

[New Troll]

I'm also finding it surprising how many people don't seem to care at all. Mind you, I'm not overly emotional about anyone's death I don't personaly know, but if you've enjoyed thier work, you should feel some compassion for thier life. Not saying you should cut yourself or go wailing throughout the streets, but c'mon. Inwardly say "Damn!" at least.

 

[Xorghul]

I've been a little upset the past week, yet I couldn't quite put my finger on why. Well, it finaly kind of dawned on me. Why Michael Jackson over so many others? Why is he getting the attention?

To me, Carlin had much more impact on my life than Jackson. Sure I liked many of his songs, but other than that he was just kind of a weird guy who I was always trying to ignore in the media. Carlin on the other hand kept showing up time and time again to not only make me laugh my ass off, but to make me think about things. And he didn't have to be a media whore to get my attention.

So my topic is, who in your opinion is the bigger loss to the world?

I honestly don't give a crap about either of them, but since I think it was about bloody time the plastic thing died, I'm inclined to vote for...the other guy.
Unless you add a third category for us who don't give a crap.
Sooo....Yey, Jackson's dead^^

 

[Bebosis]

Billy mays because he made cool commercials. But if i had to make a choice it would be george because i like comedy more than i like michael jacksons music. acctually i hate michael jacksons music.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

I have never heard of the first guy and i have always despised Michael Jackson. I mourned for my sock that got a hole in it more than both of these combined
I really miss that sock ;-;

 

[sln333]

I came to appreciate Carlin a little more after his death, so Jackson's hit me more. If I knew as much about Carlin then as I did now, it would have been Carlin's death.

 

[Ophiuchus]

How have so many people not heard of George Carlin? And why are they here saying they haven't heard of him instead of wandering over to YouTube to find out who he is?

...seriously.

Enjoy some George Carlin clips. Possibly NSFW if your boss doesn't like swearing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmE2qMbYRU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acLW1vFO-2Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkRYaMiP4K8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNy6ziOyxoA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaa9iw85tW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6wOt2iXdc4

 

[Unstoppable Wall]

Chances are I'll get probation for this but...

BILLY MAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace, War, Love, Hate, Chaos, and Greed
-Unstoppable Wall

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

None of these people have really ipacted me personally. Sure I loved Carlin's style of comedy, but the last few years he just seemed kinda like a dirty old man that people paid attention to. I NEVER liked Jackson's music. Mays never once sold me on a product and I think I really only liked him in parody.

 

[DazZ.]

George Carlin.

But he wouldn't want you to be down. He tell you to fuck yourself for getting down over someone dying.

 

[Midniqht]

need to add billy mays - that man had more impact on my life than carlin or jackson. but i wouldnt say im really "taking it hard" just because any of them died. i think some people take it a little too much to the extremes, like those individuals that are committing suicide because of jackson dying.

 

[yourbeliefs]

I'm glad you made this poll and that more people voted for Carlin.

I was a huge fan of his, and his death was the first celebrity death that I ever really mourned. I saw him in concert twice and each time he killed. His body of work was so large and impressive and he changed with the times, from a happy-go-lucky observation hippy style humor to a more raw style to an eventual angrier style that still remained creative while loading up on dirty words. He was also a very intelligent man with his views on free speech, religion, and language itself. One of the greatest quotes he ever had should be posted in every single English language classroom in the country. I'm paraphrasing a little bit here as I don't have a copy of the cd here with me:

"..We all think in language, so the quality of our thoughts and our ideas can only be as good as the quality of our language."

I could go on and on about GC but I don't want to bore people anymore than I already have. I'll end it with this: Legal issues and general weirdness aside, MJ as an entertainer and musician really hasn't been relevant for over a decade, while George Carlin never became irrelevant as a comedian and occasional actor.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Dude, where the hell is the option for Farrah Fawcett?!

 

[ToAscendency]

Bea Arthur.

 

[Fraeir]

I don't think you can compare them since they are quite different...
However, Carlin, a comedian I can quote in real life in perfect sync with a friend of mine (Scaring everyone) is definitely my pick.
Jackson's musical talent died yeeears ago to me.

 

[CNKFan]

George Carlin was more important. He pushed the envelope of what you can say on t.v. and he brought up a lot of political issues. Wereas Micheal Jackson was just some weird looking pedophile I.M.O. who shouldn't have gotten so much attention.

Did you see him when he was black? Do you really think he was a pedophile, or is that the only thing you've heard about him? I'm 15 and I know there was no definitive proof that he even touched any of those kids, the reason he loved children so much is because he never got to be one himself. George Carlin was a great comedian, don't get me wrong, but Micheal's music will always be played opposed to people who didn't like George Carlin's ideals or his "seven words you can't say on T.V." or something of that nature.

Yes I seen him when he was black, and yes I think that he was a pedophile. The only reason that people could not prove it was that he paid an extraordinate amount of money to the parents of those kids. Also even when he was black I thought he was an over-rated singer that should not have had the imense following that he did. You miserable prick.

 

[General Ken8]

Farah should be in the poll, she died right around when MJ did
But MJ i miss, because people said all of this bad stuff about him and he never did any of it, and he even made a theme park just for children.
Where the hell does everyone get the idea that he raped the kid from Home Alone, i never got that

 

[child of lileth]

Neither. I couldn't care less about a child touching idiot that the media hated up until the second he was gone, then everyone suddenly loved him. George Carlin was okay, but not the best in history. I was most upset about Billy Mays when it comes to everyone that died around that time.