If I see one more "R.I.P. Michael Jackson", I'm gonna join him!

**RagnaToad** · 06-26-2009, 07:39 PM

Since yesterday, YouTube has been overflown with those "R.I.P. comments".

I loved his music and I'm sorry for the guy. He was only 50 after all.

But everyone acts as if they knew him personally. And when you criticise those "R.I.P." comments, you're suddenly being disrespectful...

How do you guys feel about this? I mean, if all those people want to pay their respects on the bloody internet, fine by me. But they shouldn't expect everyone to do the same.

He was a great musician, but he was not a relative of yours, you fukkerz.

**Victoria** · 06-26-2009, 07:55 PM

I totally agree with this. I got some flak too on an MMO I was playing the day he died, and I was told I gave Americans a bad name because I was so "insensitive".

Then again, when someone said that he died, and to pray to the lord or something, I said "nobody cares (aside from the obvious.)" and I got flak for it.

I was told I was heartless because I said "what would praying do?"
I said I wasn't religious, and someone said "believe in god, that's what's real."

Or something like that, and I was like "don't start that." and someone chimed in "i'm not religious either, but i agree with him."

How can you not be religious yet still believe in god? Lol.

....Sorry. I went off on a tirade there. It just really irks me when people act like that.

**Pete** · 06-26-2009, 08:04 PM

Yeah, I've gotta agree with this. I feel for his 3 little kids and the rest of his family. It's just kind of shocking to see 50 year olds drop like that, with all the medicine and technology we have (as Americans).

I can understand the general population being shocked, and wanting to show their sympathy and support, ok fine. I just can't see people busting out in tears and crying over his death.

Then again, he is a celebrity, and his entire life story is out there for all to read, so even if you didn't actually know him, you've read enough about him to feel like you've known him. It's a creepy thing, but people get legit attachments like that, and it can explain things. Doesn't make it healthy though.

**Zardoch** · 06-26-2009, 08:08 PM

The only thing that pisses me off is when the media and the people who bow to the media make such a big ****ing deal about celebrities. Even on Fox, all I ****ing heard was what kind of pain medication MJ was taking and what his life was in these last days.

I DON'T GIVE A FLYING **** ABOUT A CELEBRITIES LIFE!

When it comes to political correctness, certainly anyone with some level of respect will pray or wish the person's family that they take the death well, BUT THAT'S HOW FAR IT SHOULD GO! Everyone has a personal, private life and when it goes beyond that, it shouldn't be of major interest.

Furthermore, when people go on and on and on and on about someone who has died, they ruin any sense of meaning in giving a damn about that person. Death is something that should be brief for both the person who dies and the friends and families who are in grief, then taking that chance to step over another stone everyone has to pass as they GO ON WITH THEIR LIFE! There should be no lingering about it after that, only positive respect that does not spawn more useless drama.

**Polk** · 06-26-2009, 08:10 PM

I agree with this thread. Unless The Undertaker says "Rest in Peace." That means he's gonna hurt you!

With that said, in honor of Michael Jackson, I will be holding my crotch for the next 24 hours. Anyone who wishes to join is free to do so.

**OceanEyes28** · 06-26-2009, 08:10 PM

My favorite is the comments about how his music was so good it justifies child molestation. Like he's earned the right to be a ****in creep, goddamnit, how dare you criticize? HE'S DEAD, SO NOW I REALLY RESPECT HIM. Even though you didn't know or care what he was doing the day before he died. NOW you're his biggest fan.

He did have some good songs. But for real... if it was you or your kid that got all rubbed on, you wouldn't be like, "Well, but his music is good, so... okay. Don't stop till you get enough, Mikey."

Haha

EDIT: Polk, if I do that all the time anyway, what do I do?

**RagnaToad** · 06-26-2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Pete

Then again, he is a celebrity, and his entire life story is out there for all to read, so even if you didn't actually know him, you've read enough about him to feel like you've known him. It's a creepy thing, but people get legit attachments like that, and it can explain things. Doesn't make it healthy though.

Yeah, I get what you mean. It's like characters from one's favourite soap on tv.

I don't care what, for example, Thurston Moore does during the day or whatever (although it might interest me if it is realted to Sonic youth's history or their music), but I would be shocked if he passed away suddenly.

But it's not like Michael Jackson was still making records (or at least not how he used to), so you can't say that we'll miss out on anything.

Unlike with Jimi Hendrix.

here goes: R.I.P. Jimi f-ing Hendrix!

**T.G. Oskar** · 06-26-2009, 08:41 PM

Don't blame the people. Blame the media for rapid-fire spamming of the news and their penchant for viral information.

It's roughly similar with Chris Benoit, or any person that was both really famous for its job, and who had some serious circumstances. Benoit was an excellent, hard working wrestler, who gave wrestling a lot of highs. Most people wish to respect that particular point of his career, and they condemn his kind of end (murder-suicide).

In Jackson's case, it's the same. He was truly a gifted and talented artist. But, he was also a child molester, and a proven one in court. People will seek respect for his talent, and probably ignore him as a person.

So why the media? Because of being hypocrites. Giving importance to his career while finishing digging his career's grave because of the rapid-fire viral spamming of scandals. Sure, that doesn't mean he's free of guilt (and well, nobody likes child molesters where fame is worthless!), but you can't just trust the media.

I mean, it's the same kind of media that has a vendetta against a former Catholic priest (and part-time media star) for being "too comfortable" with a chick. He turned Episcopalian because he wants to keep serving God while ditching that silly "discipline" of celibacy. The media responds how? Accusations of ordering people to kill, of forcing deportations, and now that he's gay. And each new accusation is being taken at face value.

Sometimes, it's important to realize that the media, specifically the gossip media, loooves to exaggerate. If he was a revolutionary singer and you want to respect that, fine; if you want to bash him as a child molester, fine. Just recall that you never lived close to him, you know of his life as much as the media told you.

This isn't much of an apology to him than a diatribe against gossip media.

As for how many RIP posts and stuff you see around, recall that Michael Jackson had the ability to make most female fans cry in ecstasy (or well, did) Those fans are the ones that are probably rapid-spamming the RIP posts.

And since people are taking the time to do random R.I.P. wishes, here's for two people I respect more than Jacko:

R.I.P. E. Gary Gygax
R.I.P. David L. Arneson

...damn, it gives me the idea of reviving Jacko as a zombie bard on my campaign. Should give it a try

**Furore** · 06-26-2009, 08:50 PM

R.I.P. Michael Jackson
Can I have your video games or other cool stuff Rags?

But yeah, this makes me glad I got an extra couple of shifts tonight and tomorrow night. I won't have to be around the MJ saturated media.

**Walter Sobchak** · 06-26-2009, 08:51 PM

I came to a conclusion that I have full distaste for people who have made a comment mourning a pop singer, while not making one comment for the rioting and murder going on from Iran. That goes for TFF, Facebook, and real life. It is a journey, to be sure, but it can be done.

**Clint** · 06-26-2009, 09:02 PM

You know, I never understood the phrase "rest in peace," because in order to rest, your brain has to be asleep, but if you're dead, then your brain isn't asleep, it's just dead.

Anyway, people die every day. The only reason why anybody cares that Michael Jackson died is because he's famous. If I knew the guy, sure, I'd mourn for him for a while, but since I don't, then his death literally doesn't effect me at all.

**T.G. Oskar** · 06-26-2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood

Anyway, people die ~~every day~~ when they are killed.

I had to do that.

"Rest in peace" comes from the Latin requiescat in pacem, which has roughly the same meaning. Recall that Romans took from the Greek the belief in Hades, as both the place where the just could go (The Elysian Fields), as well as the wicked (the Tartarus, which was most commonly called "Hades"). Also recall that the Greek thought of Hades as a god and a place, much like the Norse and Hel.

That meaning would be akin to "see you at the Fields", which was a place of peace where you were meant to rest. Mostly, it also was a wish that they would stay there, as opposed to reincarnate (by drinking from the Lethe river), or worse.

Romans, taking that from the Greeks, elaborated it in the famous Latin quote, and the English translation kept the order of words.

Most people also think that death is a state of rest, not an end to existence. To those people (myself included), either it's a good wish (specifically akin to "see you in Heaven"), or pretty pointless since that "rest" won't be shocked off in an indeterminate set of years. Those who say it and don't believe in any life beyond death just say it because of tradition.

**Ralz** · 06-26-2009, 09:32 PM

Hmm... I can safely say my heart is not in pieces and I don't feel affected by this. I barely knew him, well, not until recent events, such as the child molestation and apparently he looked like he was making his baby take flying lessons early... I, of course, loved his music. Thriller and Smooth Criminal were among my favorites. Beyond that, I don't know how to feel. Sad, depressed, angry, happy, I'm just devoid of all emotion for this. But, I think the words "rest in peace" are being a little ignored right now. If they're STILL talking about him over the news, then he's not "in peace." BTW, is it coincidence that Farrah Fawcet died the same day?

**Storm** · 06-27-2009, 01:47 AM

I agree. It is a shame when people die, especially when not of old age, but when people cry and say "i couldn't stop crying" about someone they didn't even know on a personal level, only listened to his music (although in some cases, people say things like this and werent avid fans). If one of my favorite musicians died, i'd be suprised and a bit saddened, but not enough to be so deeply affected as to cry.

Its odd that when a celebrity dies, the wrongs in their lives are suddently forgotten. Although he wasn't proven guilty, there were child molestation claims. Although I appreciate him as an iconic figure, who had distinctive music, a distinctive voice, and was a good performer and dancer, the shadow does pop up. Same happened when people started morning Jade Goody (although shes a lot less famous and doesnt have the talents of Jackson): people seemed to forget the ways she behaved. I guess this is the whole thing of "remember the good in their lives and the bad will be fogotten". Maybe i'm just a bit sour.

**ZantetsukeN** · 06-27-2009, 03:39 AM

What people don't seem to understand is that he entertained millions of people all over the world, made some amazing music and is the biggest selling artist of the last however many years. This is huge news to a heck of a lot of people and people are going to want to know all the details. So you know it isn't going to stop until they find out how he died, and until after his funeral.

However, I can relate to all those who have said it should stop. People should leave him alone, now the media have indirectly killed him.

**RagnaToad** · 06-27-2009, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by ZantetsukeN

What people don't seem to understand is that he entertained millions of people all over the world, made some amazing music and is the biggest selling artist of the last however many years. This is huge news to a heck of a lot of people and people are going to want to know all the details. So you know it isn't going to stop until they find out how he died, and until after his funeral.

Like I said, it's not like we're missing out on any new awesome records. Let alone a good live performance.

He wasn't actually an active musician anymore, more of an icon. I'm not saying I don't understand that people say those "R.I.P." things.

But they really shouldn't start being all cute with a dead guy and diss on me for having my own thoughts on him (even though I always mention that I myself am a fan), when they would have done exactly the same if he'd been alive.

@ Storm: Yeah, I can't stand those people who actually cry. I think that mostly happens to stupid people who can't think for themselves and really need those kind of icons. But most of them don't even think about the guy when he's alive. And when he suddenly passes away, they're telling everyone how awful it is, and how careful we ought to be when we're talking about him.

God bless the almighty interwebz.

**Chez Daja** · 06-27-2009, 09:34 AM

The reason I felt bad when he died was because he had a really shitty life. I don't believe he touched those little boys; not really. But I didn't know the guy either, so MAYBE he did. All I'm saying is that I felt sad about it for a little while, but it feels more weird than anything. He's one of those people that seems to have been around forever.

**RamesesII** · 06-27-2009, 09:40 AM

Ta da *points to title under user name* i was going to reply to some statements posted here but i want in fear of being warned for flaming or the like so i will say it will only affect you if you let it mwhaha.
No seriously everyone has the choice to ignore the media etc so why not do just that.
On the same note i do think we should get over it plenty of celebs die yes it was a tragic horror but i wouldn't see my name plastered all over the newspapers and internet if i died although i am not a celebrity... the point is yes the tributes will go on and we will eventually get over it.

**Azuteor** · 06-27-2009, 10:32 AM

My parents and my best friend were pretty shocked by MJ's death.

That's about it. No doubt, I respect him as a human being despite not knowing him personally. He's achieved a lot, yet has made questionable decisions later in his life.

Realistically, this won't last and eventually people will forget and move on. This is not the case for his family. Friends and family you have a personal connection and have known for many years you should remember, but celebrities are a different matter.

I'm not sure if I made any sense. Hopefully, I don't come across as cold-hearted, lol.

On a similar note, MJ overshadowed Farrah Fawcett and both of them overshadowed Ed McMahon.

-_-;; Man. WTH.

Govinda · 06-27-2009, 01:51 PM

He was a ****up. EARTH SONG, PEOPLE. Not only that, but he was heavily implicated in serious child abuse.

I feel for his kids. I am angry at people who are truly sad about this apart from them. He was not a great human, he was not among our best AT ALL. He was an entertainer. Apart from that, he was a mentally ill man who was almost convicted of abusing little boys.

I repeat: EARTH SONG. They are mourning the insane creator of that. Will I get shot down if I say that I believe he molested children? Probably. But I do. I truly do.

He was a ****up. Oh my God. Even the good newspapers are succumbing to this utter, utter, UTTER debacle.

Remi · 06-27-2009, 04:08 PM

While I agree with some of your points, I find it distasteful for people to crack jokes about any human who recently died. That includes Michael Jackson.

**Alther Primus** · 06-27-2009, 05:06 PM

Same here! All I hear on the news is Micheal Jackson this and Micheal Jakson that! IT IS SO ANNOYING!!! HE DIED!!! GET OVER IT PEOPLE!!! DEATH IS NATURAL!!!! ACCEPT IT!!!

Seriously! I never even heard his songs! and I don't care! I don't mope!

And the web takes it over the top!

[/rant]

**RagnaToad** · 06-27-2009, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Darkness Oblivion

I never even heard his songs!

From what planet are you?

**Alther Primus** · 06-27-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by RagnaToad

From what planet are you?

Earth! of course!!

And you?

**RagnaToad** · 06-27-2009, 06:51 PM

I'm just saying.

If you truly have never heard a song by Michael Jackson, I'd be really surprised.

**Fate** · 06-27-2009, 06:54 PM

Oh, this is madness. Just for the hell of it, I was looking at a random music video of his from YouTube, and whenever I refreshed the page, about five more comments came up, three of which were those R.I.P messages. I feel bad for him, though. And poor Farrah Fawcett died on the same day as him, which makes it so nobody is even aware of her. To be honest, there are tons of people who've never even heard of her!

**RagnaToad** · 06-27-2009, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Fate

Oh, this is madness. Just for the hell of it, I was looking at a random music video of his from YouTube, and whenever I refreshed the page, about five more comments came up, three of which were those R.I.P messages. I feel bad for him, though. And poor Farrah Fawcett died on the same day as him, which makes it so nobody is even aware of her. To be honest, there are tons of people who've never even heard of her!

Indeed, that is so annoying.

And too bad for Farrah too. She was a babe.

The issue of Playboy with her in it was the best selling issue ever.

Or so I heard.

**MILK** · 06-27-2009, 07:13 PM

so you heard....but yeah everyone dies and people who have helped the world much more then mr. jackson don't get a 1/4 of attention he does...yes im sad for him but its becoming distastful to not even be able to watch the news anymore

**Fate** · 06-27-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by T.G. Cid

so you heard....but yeah everyone dies and people who have helped the world much more then mr. jackson don't get a 1/4 of attention he does...yes im sad for him but its becoming distastful to not even be able to watch the news anymore

Yeah, his passing away was horrible, but this is getting to be pretty repetitive now. I mean, why wasn't there an uproar a few years back when Rosa Parks died? Wasn't she the mother of civil rights?

**RagnaToad** · 06-27-2009, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Fate

Yeah, his passing away was horrible, but this is getting to be pretty repetitive now. I mean, why wasn't there an uproar a few years back when Rosa Parks died? Wasn't she the mother of civil rights?

Those people are just not important to the masses in current society.

Nauseating but nontheless the truth...