Thank you for your comment Dad. Let me change the question - it's not about music or luck. Lennon and Di (in my mind) are a more likely comparison than Di and Elvis on political merit. Lennon did his massive peace bed bit and Di did the HIV/AIDS thing in the 80's. I think that's how I compare them. Did Elvis do any peace rallies? Didn't he actually serve in the army? See where I'm coming from?
David Beckham dying - probably, Tony Blair? Is there a celebrity doing 'good work' that everyone knows about? Good work is written like that deliberately - we discussed the notion of a 'good work'. How is a celebrity holding a baby who has HIV a good work? Yes they are raising awareness and looking at what is being done for the suffering millions, but they go away when the cameras leave. They don't stick around and truly make a difference.
Does society strike anyone as post-Christian? Is Di the modern equivalent of Christ? From the previous statement I would say no, but I wonder what everyone else thinks? What would be the modern equivalent of Christ?
Oh sorry, bit deep for a Thursday evening!
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Don't want to keep you awake, but:
Music & luck got them to be celebrities in the first place otherwise the whole ‘bed’ thing would have be forgotten about in 10 mins (sorry 15 for Andy W). Elvis did time for avoiding the draft, at a time when young people in America were very anti the Vietnam War. So he easily became their hero. The point I was trying to make is that they had to get into the public eye somehow; they have to become part of the public consciousness somehow. I think Di is unique; she’s THE fairy tale princess. Her presence in the public consciousness is entirely due to press coverage, largely of the wedding – but then it just escalated. “Celebrity” doesn’t require talent, insight, intelligence, etc. Just the right conditions and the right timing. Di looked at what she had, at where she was, and decided what to do. Neither Lennon, not Presley fit that profile – they were both in it for the money originally.
Tony Blair, I believe is past his time. Had he been assassinated in the first term, or just after the second win, then maybe.
What good do celebrities do – watch Comic Relief – its on soon. Yes, you are right they are ‘enablers’, others do the good, they make it possible, because you and I are prepared to give just a little. The most successful appeal in history was for the Asian Tsunami – no celebrity there just lots and lots of press coverage – Oh yes, and that timing thing again (day after Christmas).
Does society strike anyone as post-Christian?
British or American. British – yes.
Is Di the modern equivalent of Christ?
Was Di put to death by her ‘friends’? What did we gain from her death? How well was Christ known in Rome at the time of his death?
What would be the modern equivalent of Christ?
Christ! Why couldn’t Christ come in the year 2000, if he hadn’t already?
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