Why do people get upset over a celebrities death.

Sunnyisland

Why do a lot of people get hugely upset when a celebrities dies ?For the majority they don't know or have ever met them, I can understand and have empathy with people being shocked and even sad ie Gerry ryan,Princess diana,whitney houston,Why do people get so emotional and imo over react ? My reaction is may they rest in peace and condolences to there family, But rarely do I actually have sadness, Its usually indifference. I only care about the death of people I cared for when they were alive, and this is usually not the case with celebrities.

1 dies, 1 million cries. 1 million die, no one cries.

Brendan Flowers

I generally don't get upset over celebrity death. I just think its in extremely bad taste that so many people feel the need to come on here and make jokes so soon after their passing.

I always wonder how these very people would feel if it was one of their loved ones who passed away and others were mocking and joking about the death.

donvito99

Were you watching the Princess Di documentary as well?

fishy fishy

everyone going overboard on the P.C. I think.

I heard your man the film-maker jumped from a bridge last night - thats too bad, but its not going to affect me one way or the other - not my business.

but you have people tearing at each other over it here in boards - so much so that the thread had to be closed.

They probably won't even remember him tomorrow.

Wibbs

You could blame our ancient brain that hasn't caught up with technology and social changes it brought. People see celeb X, they hear them, they know about their lives. This can bypass the reasoning part of the mind. In the past if you saw, heard and knew about someone, you actually knew them, so their loss would impact you directly. Outpourings of emotion over celebs is much to do with that.

You see it with people avidly following soaps too. Part of their tribal mind sees it all as somehow real. It's more real than life in many ways. More dramatic, sped up, social pornography for our tribal mind to jack off to.

fishy fishy

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

I generally don't get upset over celebrity death. I just think its in extremely bad taste that so many people feel the need to come on here and make jokes so soon after their passing.

I always wonder how these very people would feel if it was one of their loved ones who passed away and others were mocking and joking about the death.

well unless their loved ones was a major celebrity I don't think it matters, does it.

Larbre34

You say its "usually" the case with celebrities, which implies the passing of certain well known people do affect you, even to make you stop and reflect for a moment

I certainly dont get grief stricken at the passing of people I dont know personally, however if someones work or example had an influence on me I would regret their death or illness sympathetically, sometimes to the point of upset. There are lonely or obsessive people in this world who because of a lack of important personal relationships project their emotions and live vicariously through artists or celebrities. In their own mind their bonds are close so by extension the grief is amplified. If thats the case I feel sorry for the way their lives are, but I wouldnt condemn their grief as any less felt

As an unfortunate example, theres Tony Scott dead having apparently taken his own life overnight. I admired the guy and I felt a pang of sadness on hearing that this morning, its a terrible waste and a horrible trauma for his family. However an hour later I wasnt thinking about it, only being reminded about it in this context. I expect that would be similar to most peoples reaction to the passing of a well known person

mikemac1

As said above, same on soaps
That Deirdre Rashid got screwed over on Cornation St, charged with fraud and the Brits started contacting their politicans about the law

Miley carrying on with that hussy Fidelma and it created a debate about infidelity in Holy Catholic Ireland. :eek: No sins here, move along


And newspapers play along and want you to think you know them, not just celebrities.
It's why they publish that Mrs Murphy died in her 300,000 home. Ah she's a home owner, a decent sort, someone like me
House value doesn't matter but it's there for a reason

And why the President sent a representative to the funeral of a druggie. Katy French was her name, you may have heard of her

Irish Guitarist

I've been upset (and even cried) at the deaths of musicians I admire, for instance George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Syd Barrett and Arthur Lee from Love (the latter two probably wouldn't count as 'celebrities'). I felt like I knew them from all the years I spent listening to their music.

The death of someone like Jade Goody on the other hand meant nothing to me. I didn't care about her when she was alive and I didn't suddenly start caring about her just because she died from cancer. I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone but I'm not going to get upset about the death of someone who means nothing to me either.

ejmaztec

I think people get used to celebrities entertaining them, so when the entertainment stops it leaves people in mourning, like when the telly conks out in the middle of Mrs Brown's Boys.

Rubber_Soul

Because they feel they know them, hardly surprising especially in today's celebrity culture world.

Madam

But, don't you know these people are Icons:rolleyes:

Duggy747

The line was crossed in celebrity culture with the whole Jade Goody dying debacle. Magazines and tabloids publishing obituaries and "In memory of" pieces before she was even dead.

The whole circus which once mocked her and painted her as such a racist that would make the KKK blush had now began daily updates of the countdown to her death.

Was sickeningly morbid having all this media attention on someone pretty insignificant detailing every step of her dying state. Followed then by the enormous crowds mourning her death in public afterwards like she was a family member to them.

Tipsy McSwagger

The last famous persons death I genuinely got upset over was Gary Speed. It was out of the blue and shocking and he was a much loved guy.

ahnowbrowncow

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

The last famous persons death I genuinely got upset over was Gary Speed. It was out of the blue and shocking and he was a much loved guy.

Yeah it was a surprise but why get upset, did you know him or love him?

Big Nasty

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I've been upset (and even cried) at the deaths of musicians I admire, for instance George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Syd Barrett and Arthur Lee from Love (the latter two probably wouldn't count as 'celebrities'). I felt like I knew them from all the years I spent listening to their music.

This.

My mother was really upset when Gerry Ryan died. She had listened to him for three hours a day, five days a week for twenty years. That's 15 hours a week or about 700 hours a year. One might spend less time chatting to their spouse and / or kids of an evening.

She actually went as far as to say that she felt a void in her life each morning and was at a loss what to be listening to on the radio.

barry711

Something I've often wondered myself. I find it cringe worthy.

PhlegmyMoses

MCMLXXV wrote: »

This.

My mother was really upset when Gerry Ryan died. She had listened to him for three hours a day, five days a week for twenty years. That's 15 hours a week or about 700 hours a year. One might spend less time chatting to their spouse and / or kids of an evening.

She actually went as far as to say that she felt a void in her life each morning and was at a loss what to be listening to on the radio.

Howard Stern?

dodderangler

I do always laugh when people get upset over a celeb dying
The likes of Amy winehouse every saying ah the poor girl she didn't deserve it
She was a fcukin JUNKIE folks
Gerry Ryan - coke head
Whitney houston - coke head / Heroin taker
Michael Jackson - paedophile pervert

Get a grip
If a normal person died from these you'd call them scumbag drug taking knackers

So no I don't get upset over a celeb dying when they knew the risks

Millicent

I got upset when Dimebag Darell died. An amazing musician and by all reports an all-round decent, nice guy needlessly murdered in his prime. It was awful and even now I think what a waste his death was. I think the upset has to do with shock and respect for someone I admired a lot.

paddyandy

I hate when a celebrity dies because the announcement on the News always takes far too long .

JohnMarston

It'll be a dark day for men everywhere when Clint Eastwood dies.

One of my all-time favourite actors/directors

kunst nugget

JohnMarston wrote: »

It'll be a dark day for men everywhere when Clint Eastwood dies.

One of my all-time favourite actors/directors

Getting in there for some pre-emptive grieving?

kunst nugget

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I felt like I knew them from all the years I spent listening to their music.

But you didn't know them at all. You knew the persona they chose to project to people, nothing more.

Ash.J.Williams

When you appreciate an artist, you get to know them through their work....when they die it's sad.....end of thread

Diapason

kunst nugget wrote: »

But you didn't know them at all. You knew the persona they chose to project to people, nothing more.

Doesn't mean they weren't "important" to you, though. If somebody dies who has created something I love (a favourite album or something) I don't think it's unreasonable to feel a bit of sadness before getting on with my day.

That's not to say I'd be out wailing in the streets and prostrating myself in front of their funeral cortege.

rubadub

dodderangler wrote: »

If a normal person died from these you'd call them scumbag drug taking knackers

I don't think so, and especially because there are more famous drug related deaths. The fact that the drug use was so publicized serves to normalize drug use even more, and show that they are not all down & out degenerates but can be functional users/addicts, just like there are thousands of functional alcoholics. Auld mammies who listened to Gerry Ryan for years are copping on that you do not have to be off your nut sitting in the gutter just because you take illegal drugs.

Its bizarre that many people can accept the somebody could enjoy a sherry at christmas day, but think anybody using other drugs ALWAYS take them to excess, and could never get by on a threshold dose.

Teyla Emmagan

I think you actually have to be soft in the head to grieve a celebrity you've never met. Or need a good kick up the h*le. Probably the latter in fact.

Poor Tony Scott at the same time, RIP.

starbelgrade

fishy fishy wrote: »

everyone going overboard on the P.C. I think.

I heard your man the film-maker jumped from a bridge last night - thats too bad, but its not going to affect me one way or the other - not my business.

but you have people tearing at each other over it here in boards - so much so that the thread had to be closed.

They probably won't even remember him tomorrow.

I don't get upset by celebrities dying, but there's a big difference between respectful to someone who has just died & being a total prick about it. That's why the thread was closed.

And as for Tony Scott being forgotten about tomorrow? I really don't think so - he'll be remembered for decades just for "Top Gun" alone.

And though I'm not a huge fan of his films, I think his interpretation of Tarantino's script for "True Romance" was absolutely delightful & had some of the best casting I have seen in any film for a long time.

kunst nugget

rubadub wrote: »

The fact that the drug use was so publicized serves to normalize drug use even more, and show that they are not all down & out degenerates but can be functional users/addicts, just like there are thousands of functional alcoholics. Auld mammies who listened to Gerry Ryan for years are copping on that you do not have to be off your nut sitting in the gutter just because you take illegal drugs.

Its bizarre that many people can accept the somebody could enjoy a sherry at christmas day, but think anybody using other drugs ALWAYS take them to excess, and could never get by on a threshold dose.

It doesn't normalize drug use for the uneducated at all. They only hear about the drugs in relation to a death, they don't hear about the casual dabblers who outgrew their experimentation. Take Gerry Ryan as a case in point. How many of the mammies knew he was heavy cocaine user before he died? After his death we all got to hear about his heart being scarred from years of years of cocaine abuse. I think these deaths just re-enforce the drugs are bad, m'kay argument.

JohnMarston

starbelgrade wrote: »

And as for Tony Scott being forgotten about tomorrow? I really don't think so - he'll be remembered for decades just for "Top Gun" alone.

'Man on fire' too

kunst nugget

JohnMarston wrote: »

'Man on fire' too

There's just not enough ass bombs in films these days…

Irish Guitarist

kunst nugget wrote: »

But you didn't know them at all. You knew the persona they chose to project to people, nothing more.

I'd say the people I mentioned were incredibly honest in their songs, especially the latter two.

Arthur Lee from Love recorded a song called Live And Let Live which contained the lyric "Oh the snot has caked against my pants, it has turned into crystal. There's a bluebird sitting on a branch, I guess I'll take my pistol". This lyric recounted the time he woke up from a drug induced sleep and found snot on his trousers. While it isn't pleasant, it's more honest than pretty much anyone who is in the charts nowadays. If he were to "choose to project a persona" I'm sure he would have projected something more palatable.

Hardly anyone knew of the band Love when they were making what are now regarded as their best albums. That wasn't because of a lack of talent. I'm sure they could have sold millions of albums if they had wanted to but instead they made the music they wanted to.

Syd Barretts lyrics were obviously written by someone with some kind of mental disorder. Again, if he was going to portray an image he would have chosen one that would have sold more records instead of recording songs with the kind of lyrics that were on his two solo albums.

A Primal Nut

realies wrote: »

Why do a lot of people get hugely upset when a celebrities dies ?For the majority they don't know or have ever met them, I can understand and have empathy with people being shocked and even sad ie Gerry ryan,Princess diana,whitney houston,Why do people get so emotional and imo over react ? My reaction is may they rest in peace and condolences to there family, But rarely do I actually have sadness, Its usually indifference. I only care about the death of people I cared for when they were alive, and this is usually not the case with celebrities.

1 dies, 1 million cries. 1 million die, no one cries.

Who comes out with these statistics? If 1 million die, you can guarantee there are millions more crying! Are you suggesting that nobody cried in Rwanda when the genocide was taking place?

If someone is a fan of a certain celebrity's music, films, charity work, whatever; it's normal they might be upset. But I haven't seen anyone who more upset over a celebrity dying than a relative.

murpho999

JohnMarston wrote: »

'Man on fire' too

I heard he was planning "A Bridge Too Far " remake.

Too soon?

JohnMarston

murpho999 wrote: »

I heard he was planning "A Bridge Too Far " remake.

Too soon?

At least wait until the man is buried

Ash.J.Williams

murpho999 wrote: »

I heard he was planning "A Bridge Too Far " remake.

Too soon?

too sh1t

kfallon

ejmaztec wrote: »

I think people get used to celebrities entertaining them, so when the entertainment stops it leaves people in mourning, like when the telly conks out in the middle of Mrs Brown's Boys.

I'd have thought that's more a cause for celebration tbh

electrobanana

Maude Flanders was the only celebrity i shed a tear for...miss you Maude..rip

tdv123

dodderangler wrote: »

I do always laugh when people get upset over a celeb dying
The likes of Amy winehouse every saying ah the poor girl she didn't deserve it
She was a fcukin JUNKIE folks
Gerry Ryan - coke head
Whitney houston - coke head / Heroin taker
Michael Jackson - paedophile pervert

Get a grip
If a normal person died from these you'd call them scumbag drug taking knackers

So no I don't get upset over a celeb dying when they knew the risks

So because she was junkie she deserved to die?

Well by that logic the likes of Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix & Tennessee Williams all died from drugs as well. Did they all deserve to die?

Tool_

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

The last famous persons death I genuinely got upset over was Gary Speed. It was out of the blue and shocking and he was a much loved guy.

I was moved by the effect it had on those who knew him - Shay Given in particular - but upset would be too strong a word for it.

Some people are far too keen on living their lives vicariously through the strangers who appear in the media.

Tool_

electrobanana wrote: »

Maude Flanders was the only celebrity i shed a tear for...miss you Maude..rip

"Rod, Todd: Maude's with God"

Heart-breaking stuff alright.

RIP

Sunnyisland

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Who comes out with these statistics? If 1 million die, you can guarantee there are millions more crying! Are you suggesting that nobody cried in Rwanda when the genocide was taking place?

If someone is a fan of a certain celebrity's music, films, charity work, whatever; it's normal they might be upset. But I haven't seen anyone who more upset over a celebrity dying than a relative.

It wasn't a statistic it was a saying and not to be taken literally,And nowhere have I suggested that nobody cried at events in Africa,Every day thousands upon thousands of people die due to no very basic needs, Yet there are threads and huge media focus when a celebrity dies as I have said RIP to them but for me thats it.

I seen many a people very much distraught over Princess Diana's death, Actually witnessed a few of these people in portugal myself albeit they were English, but to think they weren't visabilly upset or distraught is a mistaken belief and yes it was more than I had seen when anyones relative had died.

Faolchu

coz they're idiots

kunst nugget

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I'd say the people I mentioned were incredibly honest in their songs, especially the latter two.

Arthur Lee from Love recorded a song called Live And Let Live which contained the lyric "Oh the snot has caked against my pants, it has turned into crystal. There's a bluebird sitting on a branch, I guess I'll take my pistol". This lyric recounted the time he woke up from a drug induced sleep and found snot on his trousers. While it isn't pleasant, it's more honest than pretty much anyone who is in the charts nowadays. If he were to "choose to project a persona" I'm sure he would have projected something more palatable.

So nobody ever plays at being an outsider? What you get from a person's songs are only a tiny part of them. You don't know them, you just know what they chose to put into those songs at that point in time. And honestly that snot line is completely over-rated, they talk about it in the linear notes of the album as if it's something really amazing. I have snot on pants everyday…

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

Hardly anyone knew of the band Love when they were making what are now regarded as their best albums. That wasn't because of a lack of talent. I'm sure they could have sold millions of albums if they had wanted to but instead they made the music they wanted to.

Or he could have tried to make a more commercial album and failed with that as well. Does that mean that then that all people who become successful in music are not making the music they wanted to?

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

Syd Barretts lyrics were obviously written by someone with some kind of mental disorder. Again, if he was going to portray an image he would have chosen one that would have sold more records instead of recording songs with the kind of lyrics that were on his two solo albums.

Syd Barrett is a different kettle of fish tbf but his songs don't really illuminate anything about his personal struggles at all beyond brief glimpse in songs like Wouldn't you miss me (dark globe). He was consumed by his mental illness by the end of hid recording career but he portrayed quite the dapper hipster at the beginning of Pink Floyd.

cartell_best

Why do people get upset over a celebrities death?

Eva Cassidy - 02/11/1996: I cried because she touched emotions, because she made me fell things through the power of her lyrics and voice, she played an influential part in my life. One particular song has stayed with me because of an eventful part of my life. Thats more of an impression than a lot of friends have made on me.

Princess Diana - 31/08/1997: Me being who I am, at least twice or three times a week I was reading about this lady in the papers, or seeing her on TV. I knew more about this lady than I did of friends of mine. I grew up learning about this lady, but with little knowing of the price she would pay for it. I felt the pain when she did pass away, simply because I admired her and in my mind, I got to know her, regardless of the shoite the tabloids published.

Michael Jackson - 25/06/2009: I grew up listening to this chap's music. His songs played a huge role in a lot of peoples lives. I danced to his songs in nite clubs, I sung to his songs when I was on my own and I shut the world off when I did so.

What I'm trying to say is that when you've experienced somebody in your life, it doesn't matter if they're famous or its you're drinking buddy or best mate, you've gotten to know them and at some point they became part of your life. Someone you became used to discovering more about, everyday. And then, all of a sudden they're gone?

Latchy

Scott McKenzie died today to .

'' if your going to San Fran Cisca ... be sure to were some flowers in your hair ''

Abi

realies wrote: »

Why do a lot of people get hugely upset when a celebrities dies ?

The only two people in the public eye that really got to me was Princess Diana and Ayrton Senna.

I remember the morning I got up and went downstairs to find my Dad in the sitting room and told me Princess Di died, neither of us could take our eyes off the TV or close our mouths. I was watching the race with my Dad when Ayrton Senna crashed, same thing. We stood there in silent horror.

Bradidup

I used to get upset over the death of celebrities but not any more. Most seem to spend their whole lives serving their own bellies and would have little or no respect for God who is the creator and maker of all things.

Those that have died fron drug overdoses and drunken orgies like so many in the 27 club have dug their own graves and will pay the price on judgement day.

Millicent

Bradidup wrote: »

I used to get upset over the death of celebrities but not any more. Most seem to spend their whole lives serving their own bellies and would have little or no respect for God who is the creator and maker of all things.

Those that have died fron drug overdoses and drunken orgies like so many in the 27 club have dug their own graves and will pay the price on judgement day.

Yeah, that's what I admire in a musician/actor/writer. Their ability to believe in God...

Fizman

The only two people in the puplic eye that affected me in any way shape or form was Ayrton Senna and Sir Bobby Robson. Even looking at videos of Sir Bobby in his seventies........he had the enthusiasm of a schoolboy, and came across as the genuinely nice bloke.

His funeral was a big event, and rightly so in my eyes.