I'm Just Sharing

Posted by Mitch on Jun 26, 2009

Now that I’ve had some time to process things, I’m ready to write about them.

There I was yesterday, having just ran a test for my webinar next week titled Social Media, SEO And Your Business in 90 Minutes, when I saw an email come in saying Michael Jackson was being rushed to the hospital. Stunned, I immediately turned on the TV to see what was going on. Almost immediately, before I’d ever gotten to a channel, another email came through saying he’d passed away.

More stunned, I get to CNN to see the news, with CNN deciding that they would run a disclaimer because they hadn’t been able to corroborate the story. I went to Twitter, because I had a feeling there would be someone talking about it there. Man, I wasn’t even close; everyone was talking about it, and only it. It was amazing because just hours earlier the conversation had been about Farrah Fawcett, and not with quite the same volume that hearing about Michael Jackson had taken.

It was such a big story that Twitter actually crashed here and there. And, it seems, most other sites that had anything to say about Michael Jackson crashed for at least some period of time. There are already stories out saying this one man caused more disruption than any other single event on the internet since the 9/11 tragedy. That’s saying something; he literally shut down the internet.

I’m not going to write about what I consider as my special relationship with Michael Jackson here; I already wrote about it on my business blog. I will say this, though. As it relates to being online, it shows just how much the rest of us can make an impact on the internet just by our presence. Imagine what we could do if we could learn how to channel even a little piece of that for our blogs, and, eventually, our online success.

Wow. R.I.P, MJ; I’m really going to miss you.

39 Comments »

Sire:

I’ve always liked him as a performer, but in his later years considered him a little weird. Too bad he had to take the eccentric path as I feel it tended to take away from his true greatness.
Sire´s last blog ..The Argument For Paid Reviews

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 8:35 PM

I tend to believe people are what they are, Sire, and with the background he has, what would he really consider as “normal?” None of it takes away from his greatness as far as I’m concerned.

June 26th, 2009 | 8:29 PM

Sire:

Unfortunately not everyone is as forgiving as you Mitch. I’m not sure how they reported it in the States, but over here they had to bring up the alleged child molestation case, the baby over the balcony incident and many other actions that I am sure he would have loved not to be associated with.
Sire´s last blog ..From Birth To Realization Of The Word

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 8:56 PM

Some of the stations brought that up, while others left it alone. Today, MTV ran videos all day, along with tributes, and it was never mentioned. Last night, the news channels were saying they were going to do tributes, which I taped, then they felt obliged to talk about the other stuff in detail; totally erased.

The fact is that all of us don’t always think of things before we do them. Our experiences are all so different that it’s hard to be tolerant of some actions by others. The only thing I think was a bad move of his was the baby thing. Everything else, well, possibly some questionable judgment and naivete, but beyond that, nothing but total admiration, no matter what.

June 26th, 2009 | 8:46 PM

Sire:

Truthfully Mitch, his only problem was being a celebrity which meant his life was under a microscope.
Sire´s last blog ..Save Even More Money With eBay

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 9:11 PM

True, Sire. And yet, if I get my chance, I want to be a 10th, even a 20th, of the celebrity he was.

June 26th, 2009 | 9:03 PM

Sire:

Nope,I think I would prefer the anonymity. Perhaps online success, but I sure as hell don’t want to be hounded when I am out in public.

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 9:21 PM

At my age now, I know I could handle it easily. Truthfully, I’ve been prepared for it since I was in my mid 20’s. Remember, I do public speaking engagements, so being in front of a crowd doesn’t bother me at all. I’d take it, along with the money that comes with it. I’m not afraid to be openly successful; long as I do it the right way.

June 26th, 2009 | 9:19 PM

Sire:

So, you won’t mind being hounded by the Paparazzi, having every step you take monitored by people hoping that you slip up? Not being able to take a peaceful walk in the park without being continuously pestered by your adoring public? Nope, that’s certainly not my cup of tea.

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 9:48 PM

Here’s the thing, Sire. Famous people do that all the time. What you see are the young people who get out and do all these things that they shouldn’t be doing.

You’re probably thinking about Susan Boyle, and in her case, she really wasn’t prepared for fame; probably never thought about it. If she was, she’d have dressed better the first time out and wouldn’t have been much of a surprise to anyone to sing so well.

I’d take my chances; I’d rather have been there than never to have made it.

June 26th, 2009 | 9:31 PM

Sire:

Susan who? Nope, I was thinking of people like Elvis who had to hire cinemas just o watch a movie. Then there are the multitude of other celebrities who I see yelling at paparazzi and wanting to be left alone.

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:03 PM

Ah, but see, Elvis at first wanted to be out in all that, going out to clubs, trying to date as many women he could, and the like. See, I’m almost 50, like you; I don’t need all of that.

If one is afraid of success, they’ll never attain it; that’s just how it goes. That’s why I keep promoting my webinar next week; I want it to be successful, and hopefully it can turn into something new and prosperous.

June 26th, 2009 | 9:58 PM

Sire:

No, that’s just the thing, you don’t need it but it is thrust upon you. Success is one thing, I can handle that, I just want it to interfere with my life when I am out in public.
Sire´s last blog ..The Argument For Paid Reviews

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:21 PM

You mean you “don’t” want it to interfere with your public life You know, Tom Hanks was asked about this. He goes about his business, goes out to dinner when and where he wants, and he’s fine with things. Paparazzi doesn’t bother him because he doesn’t do stupid things in public. He’s a top star, makes a lot of money, and is very likable.

See, that’s my point; you will bring to you whatever your personality encourages you to bring to yourself. Everyone doesn’t deal with the same issues, and there are lots of famous people.

June 26th, 2009 | 10:14 PM

Sire:

Yeah, that’s what I meant. You make a good point Mitch. It seems to work for Tom Hanks but I’m not sure if all the other celebrities would agree with you.
Sire´s last blog ..The Argument For Paid Reviews

Mitch Reply:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:58 PM

Most of them don’t always stay home, Sire. Sandra Bullock says she can go anywhere she wants to and people are respectful when they approach her. A whole bunch of celebrities say the same thing. Those folks also don’t hang out in the city, party scene either. Many of them have homes elsewhere so they can live a more normal life.

June 26th, 2009 | 10:53 PM

Sire:

Oh well, I suppose if you have the money that comes with fame you can buy some seclusion, me I just want the cash
Sire´s last blog ..Save Even More Money With eBay

June 26th, 2009 | 11:13 PM

John Dilbeck:

Good afternoon, Mitch.

I just want to take a moment and tell you that I’m sorry that you’ve lost someone who meant a great deal to you.

I never had that connection with Michael Jackson. I enjoyed his music and admired his dancing, but I would not consider myself a fan. I don’t own any of his albums, for example.

I’ve never wanted fame and would not like to live my life the way some famous people do. You bring up a good point about Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, though. Fame does not always have to include harassment and disrespect.

I hope you enjoy your memories of MJ and all that he has meant to you over the years.

All the best,

JD
John Dilbeck´s last blog ..Sitesell always goes above and beyond

Mitch Reply:
June 28th, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Thanks John. Odd, but with all the music and the specials and the tributes, it’s almost like he’s never going to really leave us. Course, then those bad stories come on and part of me thinks he’s happy he doesn’t have to deal with that part anymore.

June 28th, 2009 | 3:07 PM

Update – Links – Love – 5 | The Nexus:

[...] and as a musical genius he will be missed by the world. Though interestingly Mitch has found out Micheal Jackson death resulted in more online damage then 9/11 [...]

June 28th, 2009 | 5:02 PM

irtiza104:

one can feel really sad as the king of pop music is no more with us. i’m sure that he will be missed.
irtiza104´s last blog ..Bloggers Unite: For a Free Iran

Mitch Reply:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:23 AM

Yes he will, Hussain; especially by me.

June 30th, 2009 | 8:37 AM

Ajith Edassery:

MJ was a great inborn talent that was spoilt by his upbringing and misused by coterie around him later. I still miss the original skinned jackson in his early twenties performaing Billie Jean and doing the moonwalk. To be frank, I liked him only till then and thereafter due to all bad lifestyle and unethical living he spoilt his name!

Another example of drug abuse, molestation and bad lifestyle despite great talent!
Ajith Edassery´s last blog ..10 ways to increase your Twitter followers

Mitch Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 3:54 PM

You know, Ajith, one is either a fan or a pretender. I was a fan, and remain a fan no matter what. If I really believed he did the criminal acts he did, I might think differently, but I never did. He could have painted his skin green and said he was a goat, and I’d have remained a fan. Because it’s not about people’s personal lifestyles; it’s always about the music, about the entertainment, about the gift, and how it makes you feel.

And he wasn’t spoiled as a kid, by the way. His mother raised him Jehovah’s Witness, and his father beat him for control. There’s nothing spoiled about that kind of life.

July 1st, 2009 | 6:10 AM

Nikki Wadley:

I am just sad that a life that was never really ‘lived’ has ended. May he finally rest in peace.

Mitch Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 3:56 PM

I don’t think any of us “regular” folks could ever understand that kind of life, Nikki. I can probably think of only two people who really could have understood it in our lifetime, so to speak, and that would be Sammy Davis Jr and Mickey Rooney. And Sammy was even younger, but never learned how to read or handle money because it was never a part of his life. Now, that’s when it’s really tough to figure out. Yet, look at how he made us feel; I’ll take that to the bank any day of my life.

July 1st, 2009 | 11:11 AM

Melatonina Melatonine:

there would be no other King of Pop like Michael Jackson. he would always be the King.

Mitch Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Exactly Malatonina; there won’t be anyone else coming along like him, ever.

July 4th, 2009 | 4:12 AM

Pip:

Such huge influx of traffic in Google and twitter is unheard of. This really shows how much people crave for MJ.I am one among of those die-hard fans. Really missing him of his POPs. He is an irreplaceable commodity in the music world.

Mitch Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Definitely, Pip. It’s amazing how much people are still craving for information more than a week later, and last week 9 of the top 10 selling albums were his. Just fantastic stuff all around.

July 4th, 2009 | 7:46 AM

rrwy:

he will be missed, gonna watch the memorial tommorow in HD, he will live on through his music

Mitch Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 9:44 AM

I’m not sure I’ll be watching the memorial, rrwy, as I’m not crazy about that type of thing, especially if they’re going to be showing the body. But you’re right, the music will live on.

July 6th, 2009 | 6:39 AM

Caramoan Travel Tour Package:

Michael Jackson would still be remembered as the only King of Pop. We would surely miss him.

Mitch Reply:
July 8th, 2009 at 8:43 PM

For sure, Ino.

July 8th, 2009 | 11:52 AM

Stephen:

Just an update – it looks like police may have located the doctor who was giving Mr. Jackson intravenous medication to knock him out at night. It was also apparently an irregular med to be used as a sleep aid. It’s unfortunate the guy strayed so far from normal as a result of his circumstances. I use his life story to keep me and my kids grounded in reality and with everyday people and things.

Mitch Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 9:03 AM

Yeah Steve, I’ve kept up with the criminal investigation, though not all that deeply. I know they have to do what they have to do, but I’m kind of ready to move on and get back to the music, past, present and future. It’s a sad state of affairs, to say the least.

July 29th, 2009 | 8:51 AM

WOW THAT IS SOMETHING I THINK THAT MICHAEL JACKSON IS SOMEONE THAT HAD ALLOT OF TALENT

Mitch Reply:
October 13th, 2009 at 11:44 PM

Thanks O. He certainly did.

October 13th, 2009 | 9:43 PM

Robert:

I agree with the Mitch can you imaging how your business will boost up with just having half the attention and traffic given to MJ driven to your site. Its hard to write about some subjects when your websites content is completely different