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Are we over emotional ?

(161 Posts)
NanKate Mon 11-Jan-16 15:25:35

I woke up this morning to the sad news of the death of David Bowie.

Every time I have switched on the radio or BBC News24 that is the main topic of conversation The 1.00 o'clock news was predominantly about his life.

Don't get me wrong this news needs to be covered, but I just feel it rather too much. Hope I am not becoming an old cynic.

What do others think ?

Jane10 Tue 12-Jan-16 08:37:35

Just trying to read the paper. Had to turn over 5 pages before I could get to some real news. I'm sorry he's dead but this is ridiculous! Get a grip Britain!

aggie Tue 12-Jan-16 08:39:04

I think out Grandmothers went into mourning when Valentino died ? but there wasn't the media to cover the wailing . Seem to have read about Women dressed in black mobbing the hearse

Synonymous Tue 12-Jan-16 09:07:54

A sense of proportion is sadly lacking and this wall to wall repetitive coverage smacks of journalistic laziness. sad

Synonymous Tue 12-Jan-16 09:12:56

NanKate Meant to start with agreement that "Yes, we as a nation, have become over emotional."

Riverwalk Tue 12-Jan-16 09:26:28

I agree that the first 15 minutes of a 30 minute news programme is too much.

The repetitive coverage is OK - not everyone is watching TV all day - most people switch on at certain times or when they come home from work.

M0nica Tue 12-Jan-16 09:26:37

I have been known to. (write short posts)grin

grumppa Tue 12-Jan-16 09:53:06

So David Bowie was Ziggy Stardust. Ziggy Stardust..... Alvin Stardust..... Alvin and the Chipmunks..... My late mother's poodle Ziggy..... Were they all manifestations of this Titan of pop music?

I think the blanket coverage has got to me.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 12-Jan-16 10:14:59

aggie nothing new under the sun then. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 12-Jan-16 10:17:22

Yes! It's coming back now! Thanks Marelli and Wilma. They were both great in that vid. Mick and David Bowie. grin

Funny how things stick in your mind.

merlotgran Tue 12-Jan-16 10:51:21

Apparently the must have name for a porcine pet is now, Piggy Stardust grin

annodomini Tue 12-Jan-16 10:53:47

Elvis is still worshipped by some fanatics, but was there this outburst of emotion when he died? I can't remember the media being so preoccupied.

Bijou Tue 12-Jan-16 11:27:36

Far too much coverage about the death of one person. Regarding people buying bunches of flowers as a tribute, this money could have been used for a charity to help the starving people in Syria. The florists are benefitting. I cannot remember this custom happening years ago.

tigger Tue 12-Jan-16 11:43:07

Well jinglebellfrocks I think your seventeen posts = Monica's longish one. What's wrong with long posts?

graninthemist Tue 12-Jan-16 12:20:17

I think my initial reaction to the death of a famous person is often surprise, especially if we didn't know they were ill, and, of course, it's sad when anyone dies, but I don't understand all the weeping and wailing and beating of breasts. Makes me wonder how we ever got through two world wars. I think the video is dreadful, in the true sense of the word, and I can't bear to watch it.

harrigran Tue 12-Jan-16 12:27:04

Yes, way too emotional. He was a pop star and was making himself wealthy, not exactly Mother Theresa. I did not particularly like his style of singing but DD did when she was young, she did win a talent contest playing the piano and singing one of his songs. I am not comfortable with old men trying to stay in the pop business long after they should have retired to their fireside chair.

rosesarered Tue 12-Jan-16 12:30:49

Being over emotional is the British way, it's not a new thing ( as another poster mentions Valentino) I think a lot of people ( not all) actually enjoy it.

tigger Tue 12-Jan-16 12:30:50

I totally agree graninthemist, as my mum would say if all of this emotion existed years ago we would never have won the war. I think the media, as usual, hype it all up. Tributes are fine but it's all so OTT. Do you remember when Michael Jackson died it went on and on and on.

I remember when Elvis died, it was front page news for about 24 hours and that was it apart from footage of his funeral. But perhaps for the media it is a welcome diversion from all of the grot around at the moment. For instance I cannot bear to look at pictures of those starving children in Syria and there is nothing we, the public, can do because even if we threw money at the situation, food would not get through to those who need it most.

rosesarered Tue 12-Jan-16 12:31:27

It's an 'ooh, isn't it awful' thing.

rosesarered Tue 12-Jan-16 12:32:53

It reached the apex with the death of Diana, but I think it was there long before then.

Florence24 Tue 12-Jan-16 13:31:01

David Bowie meant a lot of things to a lot of people. He wasn't to everyone's taste. Yes,it's sad he has died but life goes on. I just wonder how people are "devastated" at the death of a pop singer they didn't know. What emotions are left for them when close family and friends die.

Anniebach Tue 12-Jan-16 13:44:22

How can a death and funeral be a welcome diversion ?

Imperfect27 Tue 12-Jan-16 13:58:54

Florence, exactly!

Riverwalk Tue 12-Jan-16 14:04:27

I imagine there are those who are genuinely devastated.

There are many people, of our age, who hero-worship celebrities e.g. Cliff Richard, follow them around the country, attend conventions every year for the past 50, fill the house with memorabilia, etc.

It's much more than appreciating the music - more like an obsession.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 12-Jan-16 14:11:30

Well tigger perhaps short posts are more likely to get read. I rarely wade through reams of print.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 12-Jan-16 14:13:59

Did you actually count my posts on this thread?! Wow! Dedication or what? grin