Open Culture - Latest Comments in Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

acmaa — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:57:01 -0000

I am not sure if Mr. Colman is still reading the comments about this post from 2009, but first of all I was shocked to see a title with 'Jacko' in Open Culture, from the begining it is so obvious the level of ignorance of the writer. US media's acts are not MJ's fault and it is also not MJ's fault that Mr. Colman didnt follow him after Thriller, all he was trying to do inspire the people to save and change the world. I am from Turkey, another not very democratic middle east country, today's date is 2014, Iran is the same, Turkey goes worse democraticaly and sorry but it is not the US media who will save us from our dictators, it is ourselfes, so I hope you would think twice before using bad mouth after an inspiring innocent person who is more than a pop icon to his fans even to the fans from middle east.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Janice — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:17:25 -0000

Michael Jackson was an American Icon who became a worldwide phenomenon. Yo Momma(God killed Michael Jackson??) and Wendy are callous and hateful.
Quincy Jones collaborated with Michael Jackson to help him develop his ideas. He didn't make MJ, Michael made himself with the backing of his record company that gave him total creative control. He was always a pioneer and an innovator in his field. He had many great albums beyond Thriller,too.
Wendy's reference to Michael Jackson as wacko/jacko shows her disdain for a man she clearly doesn't understand. But great men are often misunderstood. Why spew venom at what you are so ignorant about. It's obvious you never really studied this man.
Michael Jackson's interactions with children was innocent. It was flawed, corrupt minds that exploited his love for children by trying to extort money from him. He was an easy target.
Michael Jackson was more than a 'song and dance man'. He influenced even to this day music, videos, dance and dancers, rappers, songs and singers always expanding his ideas until his death. He was a humanitarian; a change agent for the world's ills.
Michael Jackson deserved high recognition and more.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Hanoch — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:38:04 -0000

Maluvia:

You'll be happy to know the US government (the one you say has "so much blood on its hands") has absolutely no restrictions on emigration. Just a little food for thought.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Chrissy — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:54:05 -0000

I agree, Dan. More or less. The problem is, you just can't make people care about every
problem in the world. I live in Trenton, NJ, and heartbreaking events happen here every day; if the murder of the 13 year-old girl Tamrah, earlier this month, got even a QUARTER of the media coverage that's been going to Iran, maybe people here in the US, but outside the city, would be outraged enough to help change the dysfunctional politics here.

But that probably won't happen. Most people, unfortunately, can only care about tragedy "somewhere else" for so long, with or without the death of a celebrity (or FOUR!!) competing for airtime. I also think it's possible for some people to grieve for said celebrity (-ies), and get back to paying attention to politics when the initial shock wears off. Sadly, there are way too many oppressive regimes in this world, many of them local governments right here in the States, and not enough people to care, for any duration.

I am an optimist, so I hate saying something so bleak. I guess, the flip side of that, is that most people are good, anyway. Even the MJ fans who aren't paying attention to Iran (or Trenton). They're living their lives, trying to find happiness, and mowing their lawns, and playing video games, and are not keeping people down anywhere in the world.

Would be nice if everyone cared for the cause, but it will never happen. Don't let that stop you, though.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Tom — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:25:03 -0000

Karen: MJ WAS NOT a pedophile, you just eat up everything media feeds you. Your mind is as open as this "open culture" blog. Check the facts, do a little research, instead of just gobbling up whatever is on TV. You can start here:http://www.whoismichael.com/ or here http://www.aphroditejones.c...

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Karen — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:20:04 -0000

Mr. Colman, I agree with you. Iran's concerns are much more important than the passing of an entertainer, no matter how influential in the world of pop culture. Iran's many issues are of primary concern to the stability of a major part of our world and Michale Jackson, talented though he was, was also a pedophile and a monied recluse. To equate the two issues is specious. Thank you for writing so eloquently in your blog. I, for one, find it at times enjoyable and entertaining, as well as thought provoking. Keep up the good work!

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Lila — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:47:26 -0000

First of all, if you think this one event is going to bring liberty, freedom and democracy to Iran, then you have no knowledge of their history. Yes, what's going on in Iran has importance, but why does it, or any other country's current events, have to take precedence over the front page news every day of something that is so much about AMERICAN culture. And as for the protesters here in the U.S. that are complaining about their vote not getting counted. You want your vote counted? Go back to your country then and make a change to it, not sit over here and expect to live the "American Dream" but complain when you don't have a say-so in the country you left.

Secondly, have respect to someone who not only influenced our musical culture, our dance culture and our video/film culture and put a stamp into American culture that many other countries have emanated and idolized. Have respect because he lived, he made a difference and he died. So what...it's been 3 days since...why can't he take precedent over another country's ancient politics?

Dan, what an ass you are, and maybe when you die, you'll come to appreciate the dead.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Nat — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:44:17 -0000

Fuck you! I am deleting your blog from my favorite list.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Anders — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:19:25 -0000

Your usual dunderhead out there is dependent on network news. A large portion of people in the U.S. only know what's going on in the world by what big media is giving them.

And right now its giving them Michael Jackson.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Maluvia — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:37:03 -0000

I'm sorry Mark, but it is you who are wrong - along with most of the American public which has been grossly and deliberately misinformed as to the true facts surrounding the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
You can read more about the actual facts surrounding these events here: "The Hiroshima Myth" http://xrl.in/2kim and here: http://xrl.in/2kio
Just two examples - there is plenty of freely accessible information along these lines all over the internet - for anyone who really wants to know the truth.
People need to learn the truth surrounding this horrendous crime against humanity - perpetrated by the supposed leader of the free world.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Open Culture — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:17:57 -0000

Not to beat a dead horse, but ....

A friend sent along an article today that talks about policy experts' concerns that Jackson is distracting from what's happening in Iran. It's a view held by experts on the left and right. Here's one quote:

“I think we can agree that the Iranian regime benefits from the media rush to memorialize, explore, and reflect upon Michael Jackson and his legacy,” “[A]nything that takes Twitter bandwidth away from [the Iran election] is bad for the opposition, and anything that distracts the cable networks from showing images of the crackdown is similarly bad.” He added that the international media distractions could give the regime "more room to violently suppress its opposition during a critical phase.”

Here's the larger piece:

http://www.thedailybeast.co...

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Rosario — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:06:14 -0000

As if on cue, a quote from AP news:

"But along with the diminished action on the streets in Iran, other stories have arisen to siphon away attention — especially the death of pop star Michael Jackson.

Television coverage of Iran's turmoil has fallen since Jackson's death Thursday; on the Twitter micro-blogging site, Iran remained among the most discussed topics, but fell below Jackson and comments about the movie "Transformers 2." "

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Juliano — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:25:29 -0000

This continues to be my favorite blog among the hundreds I subscribe to. The comments on this post confirm the diversity of the readership, and that's what open culture is about, diversity. It is only natural that your mild annoyance with the newsmedia's choices leave a few of your readers mildly annoyed with yours. I thought your summary was honest, democratic, and not without restraint. Please continue to voice your thoughts freely here, as for the most part, that is what we all subscribe for.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Rusty — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:14:19 -0000

Lighten up Yo!
Micheal Jackson was an amazing
talent. You can be interested in both. I assure you the story in Iran will continue long after Jackson's fans grieve.
Peace.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

openwide — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:57:06 -0000

Iran yesterday.
Michael Jackson now.
Iran tomorrow.

Let Jackson fans have their day or weekend.
It'll pass.
Anyway. Real music fans know that it was all about Quincy Jones. Without Jones, Jackson would have been nothing.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Maluvia — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:36:59 -0000

Dan, it is clear that your harsh words arise from bitterness that your current cause celebre has gotten - very temporarily - eclipsed.
I find that both small-minded and short-sighted.
As the turmoil in Iran continues, the non-stop coverage will doubtless resume, ad-infinitum, as it has done for quite a while now.
If there is anything that is getting enormously undue coverage - it is, in fact the Iranian 'election crisis' and subsequent protest.
This is being driven by an American Media which detests the results of that election, and hopes to overturn the results by the sheer weight of relentless coverage and and outrage.

1. There have been many, many, many far more egregiously fraudulent national elections - that have received not an iota of notice from the American Media, and many, many incidents of dissidents and protesters being slaughtered by some brutal authoritarian regime - and no one batted an eye. No 24/7 coverage or Twittersteria.

2. There was far more documented evidence of election fraud in the the US presidential elections of 2000, and 2004 - with absolutely devastating consequences to the entire world, as well as American society - than has been presented in the case of Iran. Where was the outrage then?

3. There is an ongoing holocaust taking place each and every day in Palestine - crimes against humanity far worse than what is transpiring in the streets of Tehran - and it goes on, and on, and on every single day, while the world looks the other way.
Where is the outrage? Where is the hysteria? Where is the wall-to-wall, 24/7 coverage in the news, or the blogosphere or the Twitter Revolutionaries?

4. Horrendous crimes against humanity are going on this very minute in Latin America, in Africa, in Myanmar, Kashmir and Sri Lanka - where genocide has taken place just in the past few weeks.
Where is the hysteria, the outcry, the nonstop coverage about those countries and the oppression of those people?

5. It is not our place to tell another country how to run its affairs, or to refuse to acknowledge the results of a democratic election because our government doesn't like the results - which we have attempted to do time and time again, as in Palestine, Venezuela, Bolivia, etc.
Nor is it appropriate for our government, with so much blood on its hands - a government which is actively, at this very moment engaging in torture, rendition, collective punishment, slaughtering of civilians, and the use of depleted uranium and white phosphorus, and which is the only nation on earth to have actually used its nuclear arsenal - slaughtering millions of innocent people in a nation which had already surrendered - to lecture any other nation on human rights.

It is truly unfortunate that a site nominally devoted to the concept of 'Open Culture' is choosing instead the track of polarization and divisiveness.
It doesn't sound very 'Open' anymore.
Very disappointed.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Guest — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:29:05 -0000

since when does journalism and the news cycle have anything to do with what is "critical"? journalism, unless it is a non-profit venture, is *MORE* about SELLING COPY OR GETTING RATINGS. PERIOD. it's always been that way. and this "mentality" is all important right now, seein' as many outlets are about to go out of business. You've obviously never worked in the "biz"... otherwise ya wouldn't be MISSING ALL THE CURRENTLY RELEVANT POINTS by such WIDE MARGINS...

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Alistair Knock — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:31:34 -0000

"It’s more about the news cycle and lazy journalism. To me, Iran is a much more critical story"

It is to me too, which is why mainstream media does not serve me well (and as a result, why mainstream media does not try to serve me). I think it's a weak argument to suggest that stories about celebrities are 'getting in the way' of real stories. When mainstream media carries real stories, the majority of the public turns the page. Like it not, your definition of news is about what you personally want to hear, not about what you should hear, and not what everyone else wants to hear.

On a different note, the (broad) cultural impact of an individual's contribution is sometimes hard to measure but I think unequivocal in terms of support here; there are some individuals in public life for whom I would be aghast if they did not receive an "extended public eulogy", for want for a better description, but I am but a minority and have to live with that.

That said, if the news cycle continues to dominate beyond day 1/2 without there being any new news, while other prescient events remain underreported, then you have justification for complaint.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Wendy — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:28:55 -0000

I think Coffee needs to go decaf.

My beef with all the Jacko/wacko coverage, as Dan pointed out is that it follows in the same vein as the deaths of Elvis and Princess Diana and OJPalooza.

Most every cable and broadcast news outlet dutifully carried Al Sharpton's press conference in the wake of Jackson's death. Why? What was the news value?

This is my profession, and I'm troubled that for most of my career it has thrown itself unrepentantly on the altar of pop culture.

I really hoped we had gotten over this, but clearly I was wrong.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

barefootwriter — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:28:25 -0000

As someone who grew up in New Orleans, I was equally disappointed at the lack of ongoing coverage of events post-Katrina. As soon as some new shiny object appears, everyone's off chasing it, and the next one, and the next one.

If you don't feel this way, maybe it's because you've never experienced a major world event that impacts you personally. I'm sure there are many Iranian-Americans looking at the Michael Jackson headlines and saying "WTF?"

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Peter — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:25:44 -0000

The key line from this post:

"The success of Iran’s protest movement depends on keeping the world’s attention. Hence, the signs written in English."

I understand that MJ had an immense cultural impact, and I understand that the suddenness of the event draws a lot more people in. It is a lot more tangible than Iran, and can have a more direct impact on a lot of people. He will be missed.

But one of the most notable aspects of what is happening in Iran is the grassroots self-reporting and use of social media to keep us all informed. If we stop listening, and turn our attention elsewhere, momentum in the protest movement in Iran slows. It is therefore not just another event halfway around the world, as Coffee would suggest, but rather a very intimate event that requires our continued attention. How else can we say that the world is watching?

So thank you, Dan, not for valuing one culture over another or for illustrating your supposed inherent elitism -- but for pointing out that we should accept at least some level of responsibility for the fact that Iran is being buried in the news cycle.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Machine — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:24:20 -0000

I am with you Dan.

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Varun — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:47:14 -0000

Dan, I think this blog is awesome..but no I do not agree to disagree. Im disappointed that you assign value to the two stories. So much for Open Culture !

/\ \/

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Open Culture — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:27:31 -0000

Sorry folks, I'm not dismissing MJ, or failing to recognize his talents. He was enormously talented. But this really isn't about MJ. It's more about the news cycle and lazy journalism. To me, Iran is a much more critical story, and I'm surprised that I would even need to argue that. Sorry if that seems elitist. But I'm simply applying the same standards that I normally apply to this blog. Wheat getting separated from the chaff. You might not like (or agree with) the standards today. But hopefully they're a net plus for you over time. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I'm fine with that.

Dan

Re: Keeping Jacko in Perspective

Varun — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:39:31 -0000

Its like placing apples and oranges in a bull pen and asking them to fight. With regards to Iran, I was for a second swayed by the way you said "liberalization of the Middle East" - please, give me a break. I cringe on seeing American media's selective criticism of Iran under the veil of the "holier than thou, defenders of Democracy", Saudi Arabia which is a monarchy with no intent to democratize and an even worse women's rights record gets obeisance from your highest authority. Iran is a very complex country with deep historical significance to the world - the suppression of their people's free will is a loss to human culture. Oh and "Coffee", Im not Iranian neither American - I am an Indian and when MJ came to India in 1992, 40,000 in attendance were just the COPS - I realized that this man represented America's symbol of emancipation - literally speaking he was mankind's greatest entertainer and putting it in that perspective, I think its actually apt that he turned out to be such a nuisance to himself. But saying that, I will also say that his work created a common ground for a sort of global, human expression. Yes as an American, you should definitely feel proud for cultivating him but by the same measure - please feel guilty for destroying him too. I think people judging the "trivial MJ" are the Paparazzi during Beethoven's or Shakespeare's time.