This is a touchy subject but one that I would like to ‘vent’ about.

We live in a society that is celebrity mad.  A celebrity dies and there are endless Facebook comments and twitter feeds sending out condolences.  I do not mind this in the least if it were not so fake.

Some people use it to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ of whats ‘trending’ on social networks, some people do it because they are genuinely shocked that a celebrity can actually die (Are they really mere mortals?!?) and some were genuine fans and are sad at the passing.

The latter is most understandable as I would also feel a great loss if, say for instance, David Bowie had to pass.  I have loved his music since I was a child and I would be a little sad.

Roll out the Merchandise

And doesn’t it make you sick, when days after their passing, all the commemorative merchandise starts hitting the stores!  This is a society gone mad.  I know only too well how the art industry works in a similar vein.  Die and you are an instant millionare…bizarre!

“We ‘loved’ this person.  Really?  Then why were you not tweeting about them every day…”

However, most of these celebrities were never talked about when they were alive, with exception to when they were in their ‘hay day’.  They slip out of the limelight and into obscurity and when the die…well, only then is there an outcry!  Oh my.  We ‘loved’ this person.  Really?  Then why were you not tweeting about them every day or at least once a year?

Do you really feel a loss or are you being swept up in the media ‘hype’?  Has this really changed your life?

The Sad Reality

Now what I really want to get to is this.  Statistically, 150 000 people die every day.

Wow!

There are people dying every day in the uprisings in countries like Syria and various conflicts all over the world — men, women and children alike.  We don’t see much memorial tributes on our feed to this problem, do we?

• What makes us so numb to our brothers and sisters all over the world that lose their lives daily, some needlessly?  

• Why are we only ‘called into action’ when a celebrity dies?  

• Do we feel we know this person?  

• Is it shocking because we think they are untouchable or somehow, immortal?  

• Is it that too many people die daily and they are mere statistics to us?

It is sad.

Well Wishing for the World

I believe that all the well wishes that go out to celebrity families are wonderful because the collective sorrow, or group consciousness, will be very strong and these families and loved ones, of the person who has passed, will no doubt feel the love and compassion on a grand scale.

“I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it? “

I only wish that we could practice this for every soul on the planet, not only the ones who appear on TV or in the tabloids.  You may not know them by name or face but when you feel the need to dish out condolences, try to remember all the people out their grieving and try to also bless them with your love and compassion.

I wish we could have a death of this distorted thing called ‘celebrity’ — can you imagine a world without it?  If we could just appreciate actors, musicians, etc for what they do and not what their status is?  I’m sure most of the celebrities would love it — having the freedom to live their lives without being bombarded by paparazzi.

Can you imagine a world where Justin Bieber can go to his local cinema with a bunch of friends and perhaps just be a normal teenager who likes to sing?  Or Lady Gaga can get a cup of coffee at Starbucks without wearing shades?  Oh well, maybe one day.

Food for thought, isn’t it?  Please feel free to share your views on this.  How many of you would prefer a celebrity-free world?

Photo credit:   Red Carpet by Salvatore Vuono