[DrBenway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif As to the pressure, stress and violation of his privacy issues, he's no better or worse off than anyone else growing up in the spotlight. Entertainers have it rough, but MJ practically begged for it with his eccentric lifestyle. Time will dull the scandals, and posthumously be kinder to him in the long run. I predict he will be officially canonized in about 3-5 years.

You are correct, I think, about the plight of the young and famous. And some of them certainly do fine; Shirley Temple grew up to have a pretty extraordinary life, about as far from the entertainment grind as one can get.

But for every Shirley Temple, it seems to me, there are ten Dana Platos or Michael Jacksons (no, I'm not comparing them, except in that both were destroyed by early fame and success.)

Michael Jackson was a professional entertainer by the age of six, and, let's face it, the family breadwinner by the age of 11. That is incomprehensible to me; his parents's willingness to exploit him for profit is bone-chilling.

Having that kind of upbringing greatly increased the likelihood that he would become a screwed-up adult. And lo and behold...

 

[krmathis]

Both:
* Self-proclaimed King of Pop in the '80s.
* Wacko Jacko since then...

 

[AdamCalifornia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif As to the pressure, stress and violation of his privacy issues, he's no better or worse off than anyone else growing up in the spotlight. Entertainers have it rough, but MJ practically begged for it with his eccentric lifestyle. Time will dull the scandals, and posthumously be kinder to him in the long run. I predict he will be officially canonized in about 3-5 years.

I hope that your prediction is false.

Quote:

Age 29 - 1987 .... People are making jokes that only in America can you be born a black man and end up a white woman.

(From here.)

See also here.

Budley[size=medium]007[/size], I haven't seen you here: Your favourite James Bond [size=medium]007[/size] incarnation? How come? Ha, ha, ....

 

[n3rdling]

IS there any

reason

you type LIKE this '?'

 

[Budley007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBenway /img/forum/go_quote.gif You are correct, I think, about the plight of the young and famous. And some of them certainly do fine; Shirley Temple grew up to have a pretty extraordinary life, about as far from the entertainment grind as one can get. But for every Shirley Temple, it seems to me, there are ten Dana Platos or Michael Jacksons (no, I'm not comparing them, except in that both were destroyed by early fame and success.) Michael Jackson was a professional entertainer by the age of six, and, let's face it, the family breadwinner by the age of 11. That is incomprehensible to me; his parents's willingness to exploit him for profit is bone-chilling. Having that kind of upbringing greatly increased the likelihood that he would become a screwed-up adult. And lo and behold...

You make a very good point. If anyone has a licensed to redefine the boundaries of sanity, it's child entertainers. Let's face it, all of our heroes have defining moments and a lot of those only after overcoming severe and tragic circumstances. I'll gladly endorse MJ as one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, but he's hardly someone I ever looked up to. It's the "great entertainer = role model" eulogies that I have a problem with.

If I was giving the opportunity to ask the MJ "apologist" one question, it would be "Would you have ever let your daughter date Michael Jackson?" Some would see dollar signs and nod enthusiastically "yes", but I'd be willing to bet that the majority would chew on their lip a second, check their watches then quickly walk away.

-probably a bit OT, so my apologies...

 

[DrBenway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll gladly endorse MJ as one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, but he's hardly someone I ever looked up to. It's the "great entertainer = role model" eulogies that I have a problem with.

I couldn't agree more. A child's role modelx should be his or her parents, older siblings, teachers, and clergy.

It's flat-out silly to demand that athletes and entertainers serve as role models for our youth. Kobe Bryant is an absolutely magnificent basketball player, but his slimy off-court behaviour is legendary. I honestly don't let that affect my opinion of him as an athlete. I love Phil Spector's music, but I always knew he was an absolute wierdo, and was very likely to hurt himself or, as it turned out, someone else, before he was done. Ty Cobb may possibly have been the best pure hitter in the history of baseball, but he is routinely described by those who knew him or studied his life as a sociopath. He was roundly hated by his fellow players.

Whether or not Michael Jackson was a great, or even good person -- qua person -- should frankly be irrelevant to the enjoyment of his music. If you stop listening to him, and you want to be consistent, you should also avoid Kurt Kobain (drug addict, gun nut, general basket-case.) Forget about Richard Wagner (bigot, viscious political infighter.) Miles Davis? Don't even ask.

 

[AdamCalifornia]

Quote:

I changed my [size=medium]nose[/size], cheeks, hairstyle, .... , [size=large]'whiten'[/size] my skin so many times now. I don't know what I look like!

The above text is an ingenious adaptation of just two lines from 'Life During Wartime', Talking Heads.

Life During Wartime

P.S.
I could not resist to post it! Could You?