Michael Jackson's death and the incredible public attention to it should remind us that it is smart to distinguish between a great talent and a great life. This is especially appropriate in the arts and entertainment where bigger than life personalities get so much adoration, attention and criticism. Some people possess great talent but do not distinguish themselves when it comes to how they live. Even if they do not harm other people, they all too often ruin their own lives. Indeed, there have been many who have deserved considerable criticism who, nevertheless, have produced truly great, creative and memorable works of art. Michael Jackson was such a person.
Often great artists burn out early and abuse themselves with drugs, alcohol or other excesses. What most impresses me are the many great artists and entertainers that despite fame, celebrity and wealth keep working and producing long after they have peaked out in terms of their creativity and public attention. The truly great role models are those who are still using their talent into their 60s, 70s and beyond, even if their celebrity status and money-making have declined.
Michael Jackson wasted half of his 50 years for reasons that we may never fully understand. In contrast, I prefer to see the glory in artists such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, the Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin in the music realm and a host of actors such as the great Paul Newman, Charlton Heston, Robert Redford and Henry Fonda, and the incredible number of comedians such as George Carlin, who show the world that it is possible to keep working with charm and dignity as you grow older. These are the people that deserve far more praise when they die than those more like Michael Jackson.
And my views of artists and entertainers also apply to athletes. Though inevitable aging and physical declines obviously limit their ability to keep performing professionally, they either grow old with class and dignity and remain fine role models, such as Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali, or they ruin their reputations with all kinds of awful behavior. When the latter happens we can still respect there earlier talent-based achievements, but no longer admire their lives.
When it comes to Michael Jackson I believe the weight of evidence supports the view that he abused drugs, children and his own body. He was, nevertheless, at one time a truly great song writer, singer, dancer and performer. But it was very sad that unlike so many other talented geniuses he was unable to maintain his greatness and own health into his 30s and 40s by finding fresh ways of sharing his talents with the world.
In the end, ordinary people may not have exceptional artistic or athletic talent, but they can have a talent for living a life with integrity that produces all kinds of love and benefits for others. In the current obsession with celebrity it is wise to remember this.
Joel S. Hirschhorn has succeeded as: a full professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison; a senior staffer, U.S. Congress (Office of Technology Assessment); head of an environmental consulting company; Director of Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, National Governors Association; now an author and consultant. Recent books are: Sprawl Kills - How Blandburbs Steal Your Time, Health and Money, and Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government. He has published hundreds of articles in newspapers, magazines, journals and on many web magazine sites. He has given hundreds of talks at a wide range of conferences worldwide. He focuses on American culture, politics and government, and health issues.
Joel, your article speaks to why my parents and no one else are considered as my role models. I respect the gifts others have. I admire talent. Too many lose perspective and that's on both sides of the equation, the celebrity and the fan. I have never been a fan of anyone until I joined fan clubs at SearchWarp. I didn't agree with some statements but the message is clear and I agree with it. Thank you for your perspective. Respond to this comment
this man is off his rocker. What did he mean by "Michael Jackson wasted half of his 50 years for reasons that we may never fully understand." What waste? name one decade that didnt have one of his hit songs playing in the background. I literally grew up with his music. Every good memory has a Michael Jackson song attached to it.
This Mr. Hirschhorn doesn't know what he is talking about one bit. When Michael wasn't entertaining the world, he was donating billions of dollars to help save it. He is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the celebrity who donated the most money to charity. Is that 'disappearing"? I don't think so.
This article is ignorant. Michael never abused a single child. He was the only abused child in his lifetime. He loved children and yes though his decisions weren't the best, they came from an innocent place of love. He didn't have one sexual cell in his body. He was a child trapped in a mans body.
I He was greater than Elvis or Dylan or anyone else and I dont care what you say...look at the numbers...look at the reaction worldwide to his death.
Elvis was never allowed to go over seas by his whack job Colonel Parker..he was afraid of flying..So Michael was a bigger star worldwide than anyone.
Shame on you for saying such untrue things about such a wonderful soul.
Wow! This is really a hot topic. I think this is a great article. I agree with Joel in his assessment of Michael Jackson. I'm old enough to remember when he was a cute little boy with a lot of talent. What's sad about his life is that he was obviously dissatisfied with his life and his looks that God gave him and thought he knew better. We can all see where that got him.
Joel, very well written and stated. As to the allegations of his abusing children, only God knows, unwise decisions for sure. And a man trapped in a world of sadness. I agree, he has amazing unmatched talent and changed the face of music. But his success as an individual, I am not so sure. I am saddened by his upbringing and his fear of people and the fact that the only place he felt comfortable was on stage. I am a big fan of his, but I am not blinded by the sad reality of his life and what really matters. My heart broke at the words of his daughter.
Thank you for being brave to write this. Blessings to you! Teresa
I don't really agree with this article. People live there lives as how they want to live there lives. Everyone has there own opinions. Everyone has the right to live there life they want to. To say someone wasted there life for some unknown reasons doesn't make sense. Do you not realize how many people, dead and alive, he inspired. I truly believe entertainment was based off what MJ was doing. Not even to speak of what he gave back to the world (charities, fundraisers,etc...) If you call this a waste then I guess you fail to see the big picture.
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (189 days 9 hours ago.)
In life, there is always a setting that no one can enter into, and that is another man's soul. Some say: "his pain was his pain." Of course that makes me think, could he have handled mine or could I have handled his? Some say: "Can the old rockers face growing up?" Some say: "Some or most, of the old rockers are still drugged from the 60s and 70s." Some can see the evidence on the MTV shows when their drugged words cannot be understood. I never noticed by looking that Michael, Elvis, and Ray were drugged on the stage. As a matter of fact, the only one I have seen drugged in performing and it was noticable, it was Amy Weinhaus. As you noticed at the same time America gave her a musical award and she could not come to pick it up because of a drug charge. Europe was angry the Americans gave her an award when she was facing charges. So as it goes, The rest of the world is respecting Michael for his musical punctuations, and sadly, Americans have only noted his ills. Myself, I am affraid to throw stones anymore...I continue to here, "Take heed ye stand, lest ye fall. Life? Some breeze through, some bang through. But one thing for sure, when you do not give all to pain??? ...Smile... They even called Christ a Lunatic.
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