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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 2016 doesn't have satanic celebrity-slaying powers? And people need to stop talking as though it does?

74 replies

Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:34

It's true that the obituary list for 2016 is grim and sobering reading and we've lost some great talents this year, many of them way too young.

However, the magical-thinking type comments ("2016 needs to hurry up and fuck off" etc) take that a step further and ascribe special significance to the year that isn't there.

It's not in great taste IMO.

OP posts:
Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:38

Maybe I should just hide for four more days Hmm

OP posts:
WanMairChoon · 27/12/2016 07:39

Yes and everybody's doing it! Reality is, this will be the way for the next few years

ScarletForYa · 27/12/2016 07:39

I agree.

I think perhaps because of the huge amount of media there are far more celebrities now. And the ones we know are starting to die off.

Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:41

Why the next few years wan?

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 27/12/2016 07:41

I must admit that, while it's very sad that Liz Smith has died, she was 95! I don't think we can really blame 2016.

Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:43

I remember reading an inowith Liz Smith a few years ago. Possibly the most content sounding actor ever. By her own account she'd enjoyed a great life. Lovely to read Smile

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Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:43

Interview with ^

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JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel · 27/12/2016 07:44

Absolutely.
2017, 2018, 2019 are not likely to be any different in terms of 'celebrity' deaths because the concept of famous people in the media began around 50/60 years ago. Therefore the first crop of people who lived their lives in the public eye are now entering old age, or have lived the rock n roll lifestyle to the full which has shortened their life expectancy.
(Keith Richards being the notable exception Grin )

No more people are dying in the Western world than usual, it's just that a large proportion of them are famous.

SloanyAnne · 27/12/2016 07:45

I think the f off 2016ers are in for a disappointment in 2017 tbh. I had to snort when a person on FB was bewailing the death of Liz Smith as part of the 2016 meme. Fgs the woman was 95 so it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:46

Of course! That makes sense. All three of you make perfect sense That really hadn't occurred to me.

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Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 07:51

I just hope we don't have to listen to the same load of woo throughout 2017.

And that bereaved relatives don't have to keep reading it.

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Boundaries · 27/12/2016 08:03

Although Bowie, Prince and GM were all shockingly young.

For me, it both brings my own mortality into focus AND is sad because they were playing throughout significant times in my life. They're a soundtrack, of sorts.

But do I think 2016 has "special" killing powers? No.

Also. 2016 will fuck off. And nothing will stop me writing 2016 on the board until about April.

WanMairChoon · 27/12/2016 08:07

Because of the rise of drugs/boozing and popular culture icons kind of peaked at the same time, it's inevitable that the next few years will be full of famous folk gone too soon. And generally the ones who have been around the longest will impact us more

Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 08:07

Well yes it will fuck off at exactly the moment it was always going to Smile The NY playlist this year is going to be AMAZING though isn't it? SmileSadSmile

(BTW, If you have a board to get the year wrong on, so to get your cheques right?)

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Original poster
Manumission · 27/12/2016 08:07

^do you

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Boundaries · 27/12/2016 08:10

You know, I've not written a cheque in years....are they even a thing any more?

Yeah the playlist will be fantastic! Silver linings and all that.

Madshiplollipop · 27/12/2016 08:12

I lost my mum and a beloved cousin this year. 2016 isn't a fucking meme.

ChuckSnowballs · 27/12/2016 08:16

To be fair, people have been celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of a new one for, well, since years were invented.

I have always despised the notion of celebrating this fact, it's all just numbers. It means nothing. I prefer to celebrate the four turns of each year in terms of day lengths as - being a gardener - this is what really makes a difference to my year.

Doesn't make me less sad that Bowie isn't here any more.

AmberEars · 27/12/2016 08:18

YANBU

BearFeet · 27/12/2016 08:36

I agree OP.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 27/12/2016 08:40

Oh its just something that one person said and, because of social media, millions have copied. If you are going to be annoyed by reading trite soundbites you'd better get off the internet.

Champagneformyrealfriends · 27/12/2016 08:41

Yanbu. Said to DH last night that I'm sick of people behaving as if 2016 is a grim reaper "taking" celebrities. Bloody ridiculous-people need to stop being so dramatic.

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 27/12/2016 09:01

Queenie is still going strong.. along with Keith Richards.. and Mick, and Cliff....

Sugarlightly · 27/12/2016 09:10

Keith Richards is gonna be going for a long time

To think 2016 doesn't have satanic celebrity-slaying powers? And people need to stop talking as though it does?
echt · 27/12/2016 09:18

Some will be bandwagoning, others will feel it to their heart. It's not for you to judge , OP. The magical thinking you claim is over think on your part: it's a phrase, no big deal.

As for "taste"? What would be good taste? For you? How would all of this be better expressed?

It all seems to mean you just don't, er. ..like it much.