The blurry line between personal and public
If the line between public and private ever becomes clear, could someone take a few minutes and notify the entertainment industry? I’m not given to outrage, but I could learn.
A high profile entertainer died recently. Word went around the world within minutes, thanks to the usual candidates, and the online community stood united (or untied) in their expression of grief. How could it happen? To someone so young? There were exceptions…
- the record company of note responded within the first thirty minutes, by increasing the sales price for the back catalogue. After all, there’s a profit / loss line to watch out for, and the profit should equal or exceed the loss. The company has since retracted the increase, blaming a “rogue employee”. I didn’t even know that was a classification in the workplace.
- the funeral services, although private in nature, will be streamed live over the Internet. For those that can’t be there. Doesn’t matter if the reason is one of physical distance or a lack of familial proximity. The situation is covered.
- the magazines that cater to those who need pictures (in lieu of text) are already on the newstands. No shortage of photos, or stories, or anything else to feed the vultures.
When I go, my family shouldn’t have to endure this sort of misplaced (prurient) interest. I’m not even a little bit famous, and I have no plans for the time I have left. Small mercies. But… if my fifteen minutes of fame should occur, that doesn’t give anyone the right to make my memory fit their need for titillation.
