Comments on: Michael Jackson’s Brain and the False Narrative

By: John M. Grohol, PsyD

John M. Grohol, PsyD — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:21:13 +0000

Perhaps you read more into the article than was there. I never painted him as a “monster” or a “non-entity.” I merely pointed out how quickly the story about a person can change once they die. Whether it’s Michael Jackson, or someone a little less famous. Remember, this is the same person who dangled his own child out a hotel window.

He was a brilliant performer in arguably the first 20 years of his professional life. Yes, he did good — as do many people. But he also did bad, and that’s not something we should dismiss.

By: Sevendor

Sevendor — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:38:35 +0000

Shame on you Grohol. As a psychological professional, I find it quite abhorring that you would spew such vitriol with no clear insight or factual data to support your claims. Michael Jackson, like a lot of the people you probably work with on a daily basis, was a man of many contradictions and complexities, but to paint him as a monster or a non-entity (when he was alive) is simply ludicrous in light of the facts that we have access to about his life. I know this article is old, but it amazes me that even some of the most educated and highly knowledgeable people in the world can fall victim to brash sensationalism. I’m not saying that every thing the media reported about MJ was false. Even Michael admitted in a 1987 Jet interview that some of the things the media reports is true, but a lot of it is not. You should have really done your homework before going on an emotional rampage based on opinion. Have you read the 1993 GQ article that speaks in detail about Michael’s framing? Have you read the court documents detailing the charges against him and the reasons why the case was ridiculous as well as dubious on so many levels? What about the book by Aphrodite Jones, who, after many years of engaging in yellow journalism and innuendo concerning Michael Jackson’s life, found out the truth and outlined in her book entitled, “The Michael Jackson Conspiracy.” And, like others have mentioned, it has been over 15 years since anything good was said about Michael Jackson. Why not open the forum to discuss the good things he actually did to help others? I don’t think it’s right to totally gloss over the less than commendable experiences, but I disagree that we should sit his and continue to bash someone who is no longer able to defend himself. Say what you want about his global impact, but many seem to agree that he changed the world in a very significant and positive way. Remember the bad, but don’t forget about the good.

By: sc341

sc341 — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:09:03 +0000

I don’t think that Michael Jackson was a saint, I know he had psychological issues however there is no question in my mind that many people in the media have made a lot of money lying about him in their articles.

BTW The Vanity Fair Articles by Maureen Orth were SCRUBBED/REMOVED FROM THE VF WEBSITE MONTHS AGO.

I wonder why….could it be that most of what was in those articles was fabricated by Ms. Orth?

For someone who ‘wasn’t Michaelangelo’ he has sold around 30 million albums since his death one year ago.

By: Maria Begona from Spain

Maria Begona from Spain — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:29:12 +0000

Michael, forgive me for scolding the most bitter guy in this list of comments: Rationality

There will be no insults, I will just say that you cannot expect any good from someone that uses 2 Jackos, 4 fuckings, 1 bastard and 1 masturbate trying to be original in his comment about someone that BY NO ACCIDENT BUT BY GOD’S WILL stands out and overcomes him/her vastly, first as a humble soulful human being, then as a proffesional.

Rationality, I pray for you from this minute till eternity. I pray that you one day recogsine your bitterness, something that Michael never knew, and YOUR EXTREME LACK OF LOVE, love that Michael always showed till the end despite all the pain…..

NO COMPARISON ¡!!

By: Maria Begona from Spain

Maria Begona from Spain — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:54:07 +0000

Michael, please forgive me for scolding the most bitter guy in this list of comments: Rationality

There will be no insults but I will just say that you cannot expect any good from someone that uses 2 Jackos, 4 fuckings, 1 bastard and 1 masturbate trying to be original in his comment about someone that BY NO ACCIDENT BUT BY GOD’S WILL stands out and overcomes him/her vastly, first as a humble soulful human being, then as a professional.

Rationality, I just pray for you since this very minute till eternity. I just pray that you one day recognise your bitterness, something that Michael never knew, always being kind till the end despite his pain….

NO COMPARISON !!!

By: Centrist

Centrist — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:44:10 +0000

It should be noted that at least one of Ms. Orth’s “investigative journalist” articles (the one in which she claims Michael Jackson had cows slaughtered in voodo rituals)has been widely panned and discredited. Her obsession with defaming Michael Jackson without much rational merit is also well documented. In addition to an good attorney she could use a psychologist of her own. Perhaps you could do some pro bono work, Dr. Grohol…

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:45:31 +0000

I am fed up with the negativity surrounding MJ and that the media and certain individuals keep commenting about him in such a negative way. MJ’s humanitarian work is never dissected at length. The 300 million plus he donated to charity is never mentioned by the tabloids or by such individuals. If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.
Enough is enough!

A friend posted the other day MJ was:

mobbed, bullied, defamed, invaded, stalked, lied about, threatened, harassed, abused- emotionally, mentally & physically; most of all disrespected & hurt more than anyone will ever really know.

Shame, shame, shame!

By: Cheryl Gross

Cheryl Gross — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:45:31 +0000

I have read a lot of articles about Michael, but this is the most morbid one I have read. Don’t you people have anything better to do then write trash like this? Michael was a human being with very human feelings. I understand that tests have to be done, but why print it? Michael’s family, friends, fans, and admirers are dealing with his death. It only has been almost a year. We are not over this yet. We probably WILL NEVER fully get over his death. I know I won’t. Have some respect, will you? I have noticed that some people on here almost worship Michael. Michael is NOT God, or Jesus. I think it would bother him to know that people are putting him in the same catagory. He was a very humble person. He knew who God was, and respected Him.

By: SoCalGal

SoCalGal — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:27:34 +0000

As to “rationality,” surely the most hate-filled commenter on this blog:

Some have used Jackson’s death to present a contemptibly narrow view of his personal struggles. But as the months and years roll by, it is the contribution of his musical genius that will be written permanently in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Even now, the greatest of his peers have recognized him as one of the most gifted and accomplished musical artists of the last century.

Few artists have used their talents to uplift mankind as vigorously as Michael Jackson. Though lean in stature, he stood firmly against social and political forces that seek to diminish the integrity of the human spirit. He uplifted individuals struggling to be free. At the same time his voice spoke a message that went far beyond the rights of the individual. Michael reminded us that personal dignity and individual freedom can only be perfected in the warm embrace of human solidarity.

Of “rationality” I would ask: Have you ever transformed yourself into an instrument that could move millions of people in noble ways? If you have, you will recognize that one’s God given talent is just the beginning. It only speaks to possibility.

Now ask yourself: Is it possible to actualize such talent to such an extraordinary extent without developing courage, fortitude, justice, and temperance? Clearly, it is not possible.

Yet aren’t those qualities precisely what is meant by character?

Finally, let me throw one back at you. Don’t you feel a little awkward judging a person whom you don’t know or historical dynamics which you don’t understand?

Frankly, my suspicion is that your visceral dislike of a caricature of Michael Jackson has distorted your judgment about the reality of Michael Jackson and what has been his lifelong accomplishments.

“reality,” you need to either find a church and confess your hateful heart or find a corner and have yourself a good cry.

By: SoCalGal

SoCalGal — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:23:21 +0000

This article is useless. It’s obviously been written by a person who has no compassion or charity for those who are merely different. Michael Jackson was a stunning human being–more gifted, talented, loving and generous than ANY member of the media, most certainly the author of this article and some of the posters who posted as the tabloid junkies Jackson often decried.

The incessant media backlash against Michael Jackson throughout his career and now in his death is driven by the fact that Jackson, as a symbolic figure, forces us to look in the mirror and face the difficult and sometimes intractable problems of our society and in ourselves that we may not want to acknowledge. How dare he? Jackson brilliantly shines light on civilization’s accomplishments and failures in their most extreme forms. To be repulsed by the drastic transformation of his face was to simultaneously recognize the excessiveness of a beauty obsessed culture that allows money to change even the most fundamental components of our DNA. When looking and commenting on his mask, weren’t we also secretly acknowledging both the literal and figurative masks that we sometimes hide behind? Ironically, Michael Jackson’s physical changes led him to be branded as an “oddity” or “freak” by a media culture that promotes physical perfection through any means necessary. As Jackson proclaimed during his interviews with Bashir, “Plastic surgery was not invented for Michael Jackson!”

Murder by media is a real phenomenon, and it was the downfall of Jackson. Nonetheless, Jackson continues to thrill admirers the entire world over, and his legacy will forever manifest his brilliant artistry.

Why is Being Different a Crime?
http://mjtruthnow.com/michaels-humanity/why-is-being-different-a-crime

By: cawobeth

cawobeth — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:59:59 +0000

geez, another person who dares write about Michael Jackson as he obviously knows very little.
Worst of all, directs people to Maureen Orth !
Ugh ! Please, why don’t you write about someone that you have FACTS about.
A new one for the defamation of MJ list.
Buddy you need to show some respect & recognize Michael Jackson with true facts or please reframe.
There are many people out here sick & tired of perverse sensationalism by media; better known as medialoids these days.
Get right! Why not express some integrity for news. It’s a long time comin’ for MJ especially.

By: Susanne

Susanne — Tue, 04 May 2010 23:17:27 +0000

I think you miss something very important in explaining Michael Jackson, the man. You fail to understand that the media spend decades reporting only negative lies about Michael. The tabloids made millions of dollars off these stories. People like Diane Dimond and countless others, wrote books about him, based on lies, just to sell their garbage to the public. Never did they report the kind and generous heart this man had, helping people in need around the world. Michael gave more money to charities. then any other celebrity. Some believe, between 300 and 500 million dollars over his career.
Outside of this country, he was loved, respected and recognized for his good deeds, not the witch hunt that we Americans, dwelled on. Michael also suffered from vitilgo and lupus, that was never reported. Instead the media kept a story alive, that he bleached his skins. And what Martin Bashir did to him, was dishonest, shameful and criminal.
I pray Michael’s life story will one day be told, and people will realize how very misunderstood, Michael was. Those of us who have known his story, are frustrated by the lack of fairness given this remarkable man.

By: Blanca López

Blanca López — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:38:05 +0000

I only have to said to you, that if Migelangelo and Einstein were to live now and their job was face with the public were they are not thats why is a bad example, but if they were…..
they will probably be destroyed by the media. Is sad world we live now the press critized everyone is famous and we love it!! people love to know all their faults (divorce, affairs, surgery, photograh them without make-up, drunk, if they have put weight etc)

Michael Jackson job was to dance, sing and entertain he was very good at it and that is what we need focus the same with any other celebreties judge them for thir job not his personal capabilities.

By: rationality.

rationality. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:27:51 +0000

This is to the guy that posted under the name, “lies.”
This is also to Victor, who suggests that by studying a genius, one can claim parallels justifiably.

The article recommended was a blog written as an opinion of Michael Jackson’s POSSIBLE issues. It’s a fucking blog. Get over yourself.
Presented in it, though is a very vital bit of information.
Jacko was robbed of his childhood. Okay. He’s not the only one. What makes his case so overblown is his celebrity and, I speculate, HIS EXTREME LACK OF SELF RESILIENCE.
Countless normal people (and mind you, Michael Jackson’s normalcy is definitely debatable) have undergone horrific tragedies and have come out strong– if not, scarred but, well, still normal.
Jacko just couldn’t get over himself. Which makes him, in many ways, a vain bastard.

Victor.
Media is our only means of mass communication. It’s the hub of information. Now, that encompasses both credible and not so reliable publications, lumped together in the stream. Lets say we take into account information from CNN of the BBC or any other credible source. That constitutes as grounds for argument or opinion.
When you rant off and get that hard-on thinking you’re a rebel because you don’t believe “the media,” understand that you’re basing your righteousness on your own opinion and a bunch of other people who masturbate their right to a lame opinion.

And Michael Jackson is no fucking Einstein. He is no fucking Michelangelo. Einstein explained why you simply “are” in the universe. He created an imperfect, yet really fucking close theory to why everything is.

Michael Jackson, by accident, made you feel good and possibly got you laid in the 80′s.

No comparison.

By: wannabestartinsomethin

wannabestartinsomethin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:08:24 +0000

It’s interesting that you mentioned Michelangelo. Michael studied Michelangelo and once said that if he could meet anyone it would be him. He said he understood him and what he was trying to say with his art. If you’ve ever read Michael’s poetry or personal reflections you would know that he was a genius. He was more than an entertainer, he was a philosopher in many ways. In a touching speech Michael gave at Oxford University in 2001 he acknowledged the fact that he wasn’t as formally educated as Einstein, but that Einstein probably couldn’t moonwalk(MJ showing his humorous side).

Everyone is “weird”, some people are better at hiding it than others. “Weird” people aren’t born,they are made- products of their society. What does that say about us? Perhaps we are the screwed up ones and Michael was not.

All I know is, he was the only human being I can think of who could unite the world with his message of peace and love. He trancended race, religion, nationality, etc. That’s pretty amazing! His gifts went beyond entertainment he was a healer of the world. I don’t like to compare anyone to Christ, but there are a lot of similarities.