sharke

jamesg1213
What I've found particularly mawkish and somewhat macabre over the last couple of decades is the pile of soft toys, cards, flowers and scribbled notes that appear almost instantly at the scene of any tragic accident or murder.
 
What, and who is that for? Why would anyone want to commemorate the place where a death happened? I don't get it.

I hate to be a cynic (actually that's a lie, I love to be a cynic) but I think in many cases people trot along with those soft toys and flowers because they like to be seen laying them down in tribute. 

I think you're right.

jamesg1213
''If I had to pinpoint the beginning of the age of modern, recreational grieving it would be Princess Diana.''
 
Exactly. That was the turning point for me, where we seemed to lose all sense of dignity and proportion.
 

I agree, and that slimy insincere crocodile-teared Tony Blair started it all.

I'm still pretty bummed about losing George Carlin. But given a choice, I'd rather have my wife, my sister, my Mom or my Dad back. Or even all the dogs I've lost. Or my '64 Rickenbacker 12-string.

And what's up with all the people today getting overly upset and all about the weird behavior of people they don't know but saw on TV doing something weird? 

The internet has provided the illusion that we are all connected. We are not. I won't shed a tear for a person I never knew and interacted with. Why would I? It's particularly bad when there's an outcry for a celeb that died from something like cancer. Imagine those that have lost their loved ones to this disease. They didn't get any mass sympathy, they had to struggle through with what friends and family they had. Just because you're rich and famous doesn't mean your life is more valuable than the next person. There's no shortage of singers, actor and artists.

Personally, I do get why some feel the need to commemorate the passing of someone whose work touched their life. In such cases, it seems appropriate maybe to share a little text or something. And move on.
 
Beyond that, I fail to see the point. People have been lamenting the loss of Prince for 9 days straight now, changing their profile pictures on Facebook and sharing videos and performances, etc.
 
How could such an outpour of admiration and love be so sudden. Where were those people who are now calling him "The Mozart of our century" 2 weeks ago, where was that passion, where were the tribute bands?
 
Last time I heard of Prince was when he smashed someone else's guitar on a late night TV show, 2 or 3 years ago. And it was actually posted by Epiphone. I don't remember anyone but one of my contacts mentioning Prince, ever. But now it's like they've all lost their best friend.
 
 

The Daily Mail had something like 20 Prince articles on the front page of its website the other day. They had fewer articles after the terrorist attacks in Paris. 

I bet these same people would cry more if their internet or cell phone died.

sharke
Mass grief is like a pandemic yawn. It presses down on the populace like a giant poultice.
...

 
And it was one of the greatest tricks of the socialist/fascist states, to ensure that you knew ... what you were supposed to revere and appreciate!
 
This is the main reason why a top ten anything, is not on my agenda ... but it's hard when one is around so many people where half the things they like are top ten oriented and sounding! 
 
Gives the word "art" a different name ... commercial prairie patties!

Driving through Atlanta last week I noticed someone had put a HUGE banner of Prince (RIP etc) on an old, tall smokestack that stands sort of across I75 from Grady Hospital, then just down the road (I75) IIRC, just south of Turner Field there was a billboard with Prince RIP on it (again IIRC) I think it was one of those expensive electronic LED billboards. IDK, but I thought it was a bit much.
He was really talented but we all die.