Human nature and Michael Jackson
Time magazine brought out a special issue on Michael Jackson. I am not a music buff. That is not to say that I have not listened to songs of MJ.
The magazine carried several photos of MJ as a child artiste. The cherubic face and impish smile touched me. A talented person who could have given much more to the world of music and music lovers has made an untimely departure.
I wonder whether it would have been of help if some leading personalities of different walks of life tried to persuade MJ to mend his ways so that the music world could be further enriched by his contribution. MJ’s behavior and public interactions have been bizarre for a decade. Part of it could be publicity stunt but major factor had to do something with his personality. There was some insecurity and longing / craving for things we in the public are unable to fathom.
But is privacy so important that some well meaning leaders of the society could not have tried to persuade MJ to change himself for better ? Or is it that the world simply does not care as his antics were good enough to keep cash registers ringing. It seems public takes as much pleasure in MJ’s professional achievement as in his antics. I f MJ had been a reasonably normal person, he would have scaled greater heights. Somehow it is the misfortune of the world that MJ went away the way he did at an early age.
Argentine footballer Maradona was another star who was done in by insecurity / inability to handle success. He was a star by all means- standing all but 5’ 2” tall , he was dwarfed by towering players of the opposite side. He played in an era where the rules did not provide protection for forwards from physical tacking by opponents. He was at a disadvantage when the ball took the aerial route as all his opponents could out jump him. All these did not deter him from becoming a star player.
I feel the hand of God goal in the semi final against England did immeasurable damage to Maradona. It was an excellent move and the ball touching his hand seemed accidental. But the press got after him. He got caught for doping in the next world cup. The establishment seemed too eager to bring him to book. Maradona disintegrated fast. Here was an artist whose art had a short life span by nature. One can be a good player for a decade.
Every time he made a public appearance since, he looked like a buffoon. His physical appearance did not do any justice to the artistry he displayed at his peak. Here was another star done in quixotic behavior and inability to be in control of self. If somebody had been able to persuade Maradona, the world could have enjoyed his magic for some more years. Once again what is there in the nature of human beings which takes pleasure in grinding Maradona to dust rather than persuading him to change and do better ?
The magazine carried several photos of MJ as a child artiste. The cherubic face and impish smile touched me. A talented person who could have given much more to the world of music and music lovers has made an untimely departure.
I wonder whether it would have been of help if some leading personalities of different walks of life tried to persuade MJ to mend his ways so that the music world could be further enriched by his contribution. MJ’s behavior and public interactions have been bizarre for a decade. Part of it could be publicity stunt but major factor had to do something with his personality. There was some insecurity and longing / craving for things we in the public are unable to fathom.
But is privacy so important that some well meaning leaders of the society could not have tried to persuade MJ to change himself for better ? Or is it that the world simply does not care as his antics were good enough to keep cash registers ringing. It seems public takes as much pleasure in MJ’s professional achievement as in his antics. I f MJ had been a reasonably normal person, he would have scaled greater heights. Somehow it is the misfortune of the world that MJ went away the way he did at an early age.
Argentine footballer Maradona was another star who was done in by insecurity / inability to handle success. He was a star by all means- standing all but 5’ 2” tall , he was dwarfed by towering players of the opposite side. He played in an era where the rules did not provide protection for forwards from physical tacking by opponents. He was at a disadvantage when the ball took the aerial route as all his opponents could out jump him. All these did not deter him from becoming a star player.
I feel the hand of God goal in the semi final against England did immeasurable damage to Maradona. It was an excellent move and the ball touching his hand seemed accidental. But the press got after him. He got caught for doping in the next world cup. The establishment seemed too eager to bring him to book. Maradona disintegrated fast. Here was an artist whose art had a short life span by nature. One can be a good player for a decade.
Every time he made a public appearance since, he looked like a buffoon. His physical appearance did not do any justice to the artistry he displayed at his peak. Here was another star done in quixotic behavior and inability to be in control of self. If somebody had been able to persuade Maradona, the world could have enjoyed his magic for some more years. Once again what is there in the nature of human beings which takes pleasure in grinding Maradona to dust rather than persuading him to change and do better ?
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