Michael Jackson
Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:10 am
Let's have a poll here. Keep it respectful, no flame wars. Was Michael Jackson a good role model?
Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:11 am
Oh what the heck, I'll take the bait.
The question is a bit loaded because MJ never held himself out as, or was held out as, a role model, and not everyone agrees that it is useful to have role models, as opposed to learning from others more critically.
Also, MJ's outstanding feature was his great talent, which may not be something one can consciously imitate. It's like if you decide that you're going to be as good a stick as Bob Hoover -- good luck with that!
But if role model is the question, then the answer is Yes, in part. Which is about the best you can say of anyone. If you want to be a creative person or an entertainer, there is a tremendous amount to be learned from MJ about musical and dance innovation, self-promotion and showmanship. Not from his own words -- everything he said about his own creative process, for example, was insipid -- but from what he actually did.
And in the very broadest sense, the man created a great deal of value out of nothing -- the essence of creativity, whether in the arts, business, or technology. A worthwhile aspiration which few achieve.
His overall impact on the world was significantly positive. Even if we can't delight millions of people, and our own positive impact on the world is limited to raising happy kids, taking care of those close to us, and making our little productive contributions to the common weal, ending the game on the plus side of the ledger has some merit as a life goal.
And of course the answer is No in part. But a 100% role model doesn't exist.
August
The question is a bit loaded because MJ never held himself out as, or was held out as, a role model, and not everyone agrees that it is useful to have role models, as opposed to learning from others more critically.
Also, MJ's outstanding feature was his great talent, which may not be something one can consciously imitate. It's like if you decide that you're going to be as good a stick as Bob Hoover -- good luck with that!
But if role model is the question, then the answer is Yes, in part. Which is about the best you can say of anyone. If you want to be a creative person or an entertainer, there is a tremendous amount to be learned from MJ about musical and dance innovation, self-promotion and showmanship. Not from his own words -- everything he said about his own creative process, for example, was insipid -- but from what he actually did.
And in the very broadest sense, the man created a great deal of value out of nothing -- the essence of creativity, whether in the arts, business, or technology. A worthwhile aspiration which few achieve.
His overall impact on the world was significantly positive. Even if we can't delight millions of people, and our own positive impact on the world is limited to raising happy kids, taking care of those close to us, and making our little productive contributions to the common weal, ending the game on the plus side of the ledger has some merit as a life goal.
And of course the answer is No in part. But a 100% role model doesn't exist.
August
Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:12 am
I'd have to say yes to a degree. never heard of him shooting anybody or smackin people around like so many other "Artists"
Also don't recall any profanity in any of his songs.
Also don't recall any profanity in any of his songs.
Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:45 pm
We can just add him to the list of artists with substance abuse problems (whether prescription or not). Van Gogh cut off his ear, Michael cut off his nose...
Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:20 pm
I'm just tired of hearing about him! I'd RATHER hear about Farrah- a far more interesting person, far prettier, and far sadder circumstances... If ever there was an icon of a decade to pass, it was she.
Robbie
Robbie
Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:25 pm
The entire point is the media adores him, so everybody else must too. 
Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:30 pm
Multiple allegations of child molestation and his apparent drug abuse puts him very low on my list of role models.
-Pat
-Pat
Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:36 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzz enough already!!! there is no escaping the media coverage!!!