to not understand people getting upset over people they don't know?

[FarterChristmoose]

Good friend, bowie fan, started crying when she heard he died,says she will miss him so much. Eh? She never met him, never even saw him at a concert. Facebook shows she's not alone in her, erm ,grief.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

As I said on the other thread, I cried when Freddie Mercury died and when Brian Redhead died. Freddie Mercury because his music was the soundtrack to my life, and Brian Redhead because he'd spoken to me every morning for years and he was like a grandad.

[Twinklefuck]

Well I'm very sad. My dreams of being taken far away by the goblin king are well and truly dead

I'll have to settle for hoggle now.

[Outfoxed]

I'm not normally a fan of displays of emotion, but I totally get it. I wept like a child when Terry Pratchett died, because he is the reason I love to read and my love of reading is such a big part of who I am. I think most people will have someone who they don't actually know but who played a part in shaping them.

[elementofsurprise]

onlylovers If the population at large were as sensitive about the groups I mentioned, eg those with mental health issues, they wouldn't be othered the way they are and would be properly cared for.

I am going through hell, clearly you dont even have enough empathy to realise that and stop picking at me.

[elementofsurprise]

wagglebees I don't know when not having empathy became a badge of honour but it seems to be becoming more prevalent in society. The whole 'man up' thing pisses me right off. Feel stuff, it'll do you good.

I'd agree with your sentiment in general, but I don't think the way people are sad at Bowie's death is emapthy in most cases. It's being sad because they feel they've lost someone.
Empathy is about caring about another's predicament, which as I've pointed out people just don't do in the same way at all - if they did the world would be a much happier place.

[Hihohoho1]

He was 69 and had a great life so no can't be sad. Feel for his family and pehaps he was a little too young but borderline.

Mumsnetters in here have lost children. Now that's sad as it's unfair and not the order of things.

My dm is 85 and has altzimers. Frankly I wish she had gone 5 years ago while still continent and knowing us.

[OnlyLovers]

element, with respect, if you're going through hell and are becoming upset by comments on here, perhaps stay off the thread for a while?

'picking at you' is, by another name, 'responding to your posts' and is perfectly legitimate.

Hiho, I don't really understand the notion that if situation A happens, it's not OK to be sad at situation B as well. Of course losing a child is more horrific than someone who had had a pretty 'good innings'; but that doesn't mean people can't be sad about Bowie as well as at more premature or 'unnatural' deaths too.

[LiviaDrusillaAugusta]

wagglebees I don't know that lack of empathy is a badge of honour. I only feel empathy for friends (and I'm soft as shit about animals) but most of the time I feel nothing at all. That is something beyond my control.

I don't see that as a negative thing. I don't prevent myself from 'feeling stuff' I genuinely don't care.

When Princess Diana died I was amazed at how upset people were - I didn't know her, I wasn't a fan and therefore her death was just something that happened. I'm genuinely sad that Bowie died as he was an incredible talent and I am a fan of his music.

Some people are just harder or softer hearted than others. I wouldn't judge the people who genuinely get upset but I certainly don't understand them.

[LiviaDrusillaAugusta]

And I think empathy is directly related to situations you can relate to. For example, If you have children you are probably more likely to be upset by a tragedy that involves a child being hurt.

[2rebecca]

I don't think getting upset at the death of famous people concerns empathy. It is more selfish and relates to how sad you are that the person won't produce any more music books etc for you to appreciate.
Pretending it's because you are more compassionate than everyone else is delusional.
I was sad when John Peel died. It was more about me missing his shows though than concern for his family who were just more people I vdidnt know.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

It is more selfish and relates to how sad you are that the person won't produce any more music books etc for you to appreciate.

Then explain how people hurt for artists who are long since retired.

I was very sad when Bob Hoskins died.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

And explain how it works with artists like Jimi Hendrix how have 40 years of stuff released after death?

Or Michael Jackson, far more active since he's been dead.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

Pat Morita, has had on average a movie a year since his death in 2005....