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Heath Ledger death; thoughts and rumbling
Topic Started: Jan 24 2008, 12:54 PM (149 Views)
Dominic Guglieme
the human MICROscope!!


While the world's economy teetered on the brink this past week, something really important happened.

As "1929: the Sequel" became a real possibility, the world lost an actor.

Yes folks, a celebrity died last weekend.

Where were you when Ledger got his final accounting. (Sorry, could not resist the pun, strained as it was.)


I am not sure where I was when he died, as I am not precisely sure when he died. But, when I found out, I was in my room. During a phone conversation, a friend asked me if I had heard about Keith Ledger. (The way the question was posed, it was assumed I knew and cared who he was to begin with.)

Apparently, the actor who played the Joker in the upcoming "Dark Knight" movie was found dead in a NYC apartment. (Do not worry, the movie was finished before he died, meaning it will not only come out, but will likely enjoy boffo post-mortem returns.)

Now, at the risk of sounding crass, who the hell cares? Granted, I write every week or so, at some length, about comics. But, if I heard as much about comics as I have heard about Ledger (or whoever the trainwreck of the week is), I would be pretty well annoyed with the hobby.

The most irksome thing is the fact that so many are treating this specific death as a big deal. I have a distinct, and unwelcome, sense that more people are upset about Ledger and could chronicle his (rather dubious) accomplishments than could do the same for Bhutto. (Remember her? Political candidate killed by terrorists in atomic armed Pakistan?) I am not saying Bhutto was a good leader, a friend to the west, or even a good person. (In fact, I would say she was none of those things.) But, her death probably should have registered more with Americans than a show pony going to that great celebrity glue factory in the sky.

"But", you ask, "is this not a tragedy?"

That depends how you define tragedy. If every death, every misfortune, every insult of fate, qualifies as a tragedy, then sure.

"What about the way he died? He was so young!"

He was younger than I, yes. But, 28 is hardly *young*. As for how he died, I really do not know.

It may have been an unexpected and catastrophic malady. (It does happen.) It may have been a pre-existing condition. (Such things happen.) It may have been a miscalculation with prescribed medication. (I have made similar, albeit nonfatal mistakes, myself.) It might have been a drug over-dose.

But, does any of that matter?

Are any of those deaths especially noble, heroic, or even unique? No.

The real reason that everyone is all bent out of shape is that Ledger was famous. (Though I confess to not knowing much about him until Tuesday.)

A great many people, every day, die stupid, pointless and mundane deaths like Ledger's. Do they get such coverage? No. Do they warrant it? No more than Ledger did.

He was a celebrity, making him a cheap and fungible commodity. Do not worry folks.

Assuming the economy holds, in another week or so, things will be back to normal. Britney Spears will entertain us all with her antics, (chronicled by those fantastic magazines in the front lanes of the supermarket), and maybe, nothing important will actually happen.


Dom
-is going to enjoy teaching children in this culture.

Keep it local.


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Trench Knife 19
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Wow Dom. I feel sorry for the guy dying, but I also felt the loss of Bhutto dying. Death is tragic and inevitable. I am reminded by each death how short our lives really are and that I should not take anything for granted. Thankfully watching my kids growing up has the same effect for me. I do not want to become so jaded that I no longer care when people die wether I know them personally or not. I do not read the Us and People magazines and could care less about the lifestyles of the rich and deluded, but I do care about our humanity and our ability to have compassion. I hope you do not see this as criticism but simply as my own perspective on things. I do however also wonder what stupidity Britney will be up to next! ;)
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Dominic Guglieme
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I am not saying that Ledger's death should be celebrated. But, the sheer amount of attention given the media, and the reactions from some people I knew (and not just comic fans worried about the "Dark Knight" movie) was out of order.

Bhutto's death.....while instability in a nuclear armed country is a bad thing, I am not sure how much a loss her death was to US interests in the long term. Remember, she destabilized the entire sub-continent back in the 90s, arguable helping to pave the way for UBL and co.


Dom
Keep it local.


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Glad that's cleared up! Now about Britney....HAHAHAHAHA!
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Dominic Guglieme
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I have some thoughts about celebrity foibles in general, and why they annoy me so. I will probably post a blog about it next week.


Dom
Keep it local.


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WWCD
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For the most part, celebrities and their passing do not concern me much. To avoid drama, as life brings enough in reality as it is, I avoid anything to do with a star except what they do, ie: movies, music, etc. You know, the product they put out. And no, I don't mean these jack-asses putting out perfume just because they have a popular name. So when something like this happens, my only thought really is, "Well, I guess the Joker won't make the third Batman movie. Crap!"

-Jim
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Dominic Guglieme
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A friend of mine had a similar reaction. He was just glad "Dark Knight" was finished. Of course, I have seen some people say this will ruin the movie for them.


Dom
Keep it local.


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Zanya
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If anything, this will PUSH the film. People will go see it just to say they did; not to mention BUY as much Joker merchandise that they can; once again... just to say that they have it.

Yes it was accidental; it sucks that it happened. He was talented. Now, let his family and friends grieve in peace.
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Heath Ledger was one of my all time favorite actors.. and I am very saddened about his death. R.I.P.

That is all I have to say on this subject. :(

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Dominic Guglieme
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I agree, this will probably help the film, both with ticket sales, and merchandise.

That does not speak well of this country. Mind you, people who are actual fans of the franchise, or of Joker are part of the frenzy by default. They will pay scalper prices on merchandise to complete colletions. (Many of us would do this if we were Joker fans.) But, the whole "he is dead so it is cool" thing.....


As I said above, I am not saying that his death is to be celebrated. But, the sheer amount of coverage it got was absurd.
Keep it local.


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Nope, I'll see the movie because I have been a Batman fan since I was 2. When I firsat heard about this movie over a year ago I started planning my trip to the theater! LOL!!

-Jim
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Dominic Guglieme
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Yeah, but Zanya is on to something. Having a dead actor can only help a movie, for whatever reason.


Dom
-is glad to not be a Joker fan right about now.
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