Comment Re:Am I Missing Something? (Score 1) 280
As a Brit, I can't help comparing the public reaction to that after the death of Diana. A hell of a lot ordinary people seemed to feel genuine grief over it. I puzzled over this: I didn't feel that way myself, and neither did anyone I knew, but there was no denying that a lot of people appeared to be deeply affected.
Fast forward a year. The media prepared their anniversary pieces, expecting a rerun of collective sadness. It didn't happen. People weren't interested. You can still sell magazines by putting Di on the front, but nobody's crying any more. What does this tell you?
Unless you've been very lucky, you'll have experienced real grief at some point in your life. You'll probably also have experienced self-indulgent maudlin sentimentality. They look rather alike at the time, but grief lasts rather longer. Have a good cry watching 'Titanic' if that's what you enjoy, but chances are you'll be laughing not long after.
I can believe that many people felt genuine grief when JFK was shot: he represented hope for many, and for many his death said something ugly about their country. But I'm willing to bet that most of those crying over JFK Jr now will be indifferent once the media circus has moved on.
Fast forward a year. The media prepared their anniversary pieces, expecting a rerun of collective sadness. It didn't happen. People weren't interested. You can still sell magazines by putting Di on the front, but nobody's crying any more. What does this tell you?
Unless you've been very lucky, you'll have experienced real grief at some point in your life. You'll probably also have experienced self-indulgent maudlin sentimentality. They look rather alike at the time, but grief lasts rather longer. Have a good cry watching 'Titanic' if that's what you enjoy, but chances are you'll be laughing not long after.
I can believe that many people felt genuine grief when JFK was shot: he represented hope for many, and for many his death said something ugly about their country. But I'm willing to bet that most of those crying over JFK Jr now will be indifferent once the media circus has moved on.
