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Discussion: The Value of Life: Winehouse vs. Norway
Member Since: 5/25/2010
Posts: 23,013
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The Value of Life: Winehouse vs. Norway
I'm on Facebook in a heated debate with several people over the value of life. A friend posted a link of the tragedy in Norway with an added caption: "And people are crying over Amy Winehouse?" I was immediately rubbed the wrong way, because, in my opinion, the question implies that the life of Amy Winehouse has less value and doesn't deserve compassion or tears compared to the lives lost in Norway. Whether someone dies from an alleged overdose or mass shooting is moot. Both lives carry the same weight. I'm fascinated to know what some of your thoughts are in this matter. I believe it raises an interesting, ethical debate. Do you believe one life can be greater than another?
...Vin
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 12,356
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I agree with you Vin. However, we live in a world where people tend to care more about celebrities than normal people. News would spend more time talking about a celebrity's death versus a normal person.
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Member Since: 12/21/2010
Posts: 51,088
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Vin - this is an incredibly insightful and sensitive post. I agree completely. No one should ever judge who one should or shouldn't mourn over.
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Member Since: 5/25/2010
Posts: 23,013
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Quote:
Originally posted by LightandDarkness
I agree with you Vin. However, we live in a world where people tend to care more about celebrities than normal people. News would spend more time talking about a celebrity's death versus a normal person.
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I agree, but celebrities are human beings, too.
...Vin
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Member Since: 11/2/2009
Posts: 19,838
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No, your live isn't worth any less than a deceased celebrity.
I think it goes either, on who you care more about dying though.
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Member Since: 6/3/2006
Posts: 51,724
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I've seen this too and I think it's completely stupid. People die everyday in fact, that's what people say when a celebrity dies and they "don't" care.
Let's start with Norway, I think this is a tragedy, I am terribly sorry for what happened, and the stupid **** that killed all of those innocent people didn't even deserve to live for a second, how can someone be so cruel? It's senseless how can someone enjoy killing others  it's a ****ed up world. If we compare the people that died in Norway to Amy's case it's a little unfair since it's A LOT of people against only one. People tend to say "Omg, people in africa die all the time why care about celebs?" in my opinion those people are effin ridiculous. Celebrities are people as well and they make an impact in the world, that's why they are so important, I don't think this should be taken as a competition in anyway. Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin, Kurt Coubain, etc. etc. etc. made a HUGE impact in the world today they will ALWAYS be remembered and that's why when they died the world just stops and stares, those people gave their life to us in some way and it would be unfair if we didn't pay attention to them, if you know what I mean, I know what I am saying is a little confusing but it's fair to give homage to those important people in the world. Back to Norway, in fact I don't think there was anyone famous there but that doesn't matter, they were innocent people that caused an impact in other people live and compare both deads just seems very senseless to me, I think people need to get over it, both sides are very sad, it's unfair to try to make Amy's dead look like nothing and those people just dont get it  (gosh this was a little confusing to explain)
RIP Norway + Amy Winehouse
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 12,356
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Sadly, to some people it's all about having a title. If you don't have title, a person isn't as important to someone with higher status. Unfortunately, a lot of people die daily, and half of it isn't reported on the news. Yet, when a celebrity figure dies, it's instantly shown on the news. However, that's just how life is!
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Member Since: 5/27/2010
Posts: 37,025
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No, I basically agree with you and have had to iterate that to a number of people today now.
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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There was a similar thread by another poster, but it came off as angry and wasn't taken seriously.
I agree with you on all of your points, and I liked that it wasn't a post out of anger like the other person.
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Member Since: 5/14/2011
Posts: 2,353
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I think it's easier for people to sympathize with Amy Winehouse mainly because she was a celebrity, and we knew a lot about her past + issues during her life... Plus, she's a single person, versus 91 completely anonymous people. Yeah, life is all equal value, but people care more about things they can relate too. You can't blame Amy for getting more press. Both huge tragedies though...
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Member Since: 6/10/2010
Posts: 18,057
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No, but i can see why people mourn for Amy Wnehouse more than the 90+ in Norway. It's like having a cousin and total stranger die on the same day. Yes both stories are sad and you mourn for both... But being realistic of course you're going to mourn more for you cousin than the total stranger. Which is human because you had better connection with your cousin than you did the stranger. Same concept of thinking can be applied to the Amy vs Norway situation. No, Amy's life wasn't worth more than the people in Norway's. But at the same time Amy had a bigger stage in life and she was blessed to use that stage and touch people with her music. So in a sense celebrities deaths can be more personal than random people you never met. But that doesn't mean their tragedy is any less important.
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Member Since: 11/4/2006
Posts: 37,808
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I think both cases are sad. But people should not judge who they mourn. Not only that but both tragedies did not happen the same day. The Norway massacre killings happened a few days ago. So the people who are mourning over Amy Winehouse right now probably already mourned the deaths in Norway anyway. It's silly to make assumptions like that.
Now I remember this one occasion where this girl tweeted that Heidi Montag's plastic surgery was more important that than Haiti earthquake. Now that is a whole different story. That is stupid.
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Member Since: 5/14/2011
Posts: 2,353
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Quote:
Originally posted by BadBitchRihanna.
No, but i can see why people mourn for Amy Wnehouse more than the 90+ in Norway. It's like having a cousin and total stranger die on the same day. Yes both stories are sad and you mourn for both... But being realistic of course you're going to mourn more for you cousin than the total stranger. Which is human because you had better connection with your cousin than you did the stranger. Same concept of thinking can be applied to the Amy vs Norway situation. No, Amy's life wasn't worth more than the people in Norway's. But at the same time Amy had a bigger stage in life and she as blessed to use that stage and touch people with her music. So in a sense celebrities deaths can be more personal than random people you never met. But that doesn't mean their tragedy is any less important.
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 You're like me with much better grammar.
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Member Since: 11/2/2009
Posts: 19,838
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Quote:
Originally posted by ρз∂гσ
I've seen this too and I think it's completely stupid. People die everyday in fact, that's what people say when a celebrity dies and they "don't" care.
Let's start with Norway, I think this is a tragedy, I am terribly sorry for what happened, and the stupid **** that killed all of those innocent people didn't even deserve to live for a second, how can someone be so cruel? It's senseless how can someone enjoy killing others it's a ****ed up world. If we compare the people that died in Norway to Amy's case it's a little unfair since it's A LOT of people against only one. People tend to say "Omg, people in africa die all the time why care about celebs?" in my opinion those people are effin ridiculous. Celebrities are people as well and they make an impact in the world, that's why they are so important, I don't think this should be taken as a competition in anyway. Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin, Kurt Coubain, etc. etc. etc. made a HUGE impact in the world today they will ALWAYS be remembered and that's why when they died the world just stops and stares, those people gave their life to us in some way and it would be unfair if we didn't pay attention to them, if you know what I mean, I know what I am saying is a little confusing but it's fair to give homage to those important people in the world. Back to Norway, in fact I don't think there was anyone famous there but that doesn't matter, they were innocent people that caused an impact in other people live and compare both deads just seems very senseless to me, I think people need to get over it, both sides are very sad, it's unfair to try to make Amy's dead look like nothing and those people just dont get it (gosh this was a little confusing to explain)
RIP Norway + Amy Winehouse |
The more you hear about a person/people, whether or not you know they, the more you care about them. That's why people feel bad and mourn over people like those who were shot in Norway than something they're not consciously thinking about that the kids in Africa. And if said person/people can influence you or reach out to you in different ways than someone you only heard of then you'll probably care for them even more. It's like how when Michael Jackson died, everyone when crazy because you know him, you grew up with him, in a way it was like you knew him. You would have probably care more about his death than say a child who died or even Farrah Fawcett, but it doesn't mean you necessarily value someone else life more.
Sorry if that didn't make much sense. :-/
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Member Since: 3/30/2009
Posts: 9,982
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They probably said it because it's 92 dead compared to 1.
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Member Since: 11/2/2009
Posts: 19,838
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Quote:
Originally posted by BadBitchRihanna.
No, but i can see why people mourn for Amy Wnehouse more than the 90+ in Norway. It's like having a cousin and total stranger die on the same day. Yes both stories are sad and you mourn for both... But being realistic of course you're going to mourn more for you cousin than the total stranger. Which is human because you had better connection with your cousin than you did the stranger. Same concept of thinking can be applied to the Amy vs Norway situation. No, Amy's life wasn't worth more than the people in Norway's. But at the same time Amy had a bigger stage in life and she was blessed to use that stage and touch people with her music. So in a sense celebrities deaths can be more personal than random people you never met. But that doesn't mean their tragedy is any less important.
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Ah, you basically said the same thing I said, but better. 
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Member Since: 10/3/2010
Posts: 50,276
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No, All life is equal. It's not like Norway is an exception though, everyday hundreds of people die alone in Africa and Asia and those deaths can't even make mainstream news. America is very biased when it comes to matters such as this and it's sad.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/14/2010
Posts: 78,921
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The events in Norway are awful, and my thoughts go to the country/families, etc.
But Amy Winehouse hits home, and her death hits me much harder.
I can't possibly share the same emotions towards 91+ people I don't know, than someone I kinda do.
None of course is more important than another, I guess it differs for everyone.
Call me a ****, but that's how It is.
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Member Since: 6/23/2011
Posts: 6,234
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Quote:
Originally posted by BadBitchRihanna.
No, but i can see why people mourn for Amy Wnehouse more than the 90+ in Norway. It's like having a cousin and total stranger die on the same day. Yes both stories are sad and you mourn for both... But being realistic of course you're going to mourn more for you cousin than the total stranger. Which is human because you had better connection with your cousin than you did the stranger. Same concept of thinking can be applied to the Amy vs Norway situation. No, Amy's life wasn't worth more than the people in Norway's. But at the same time Amy had a bigger stage in life and she was blessed to use that stage and touch people with her music. So in a sense celebrities deaths can be more personal than random people you never met. But that doesn't mean their tragedy is any less important.
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Yeah, I basically agree with this.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/14/2010
Posts: 78,921
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Quote:
Originally posted by BadBitchRihanna.
No, but i can see why people mourn for Amy Wnehouse more than the 90+ in Norway. It's like having a cousin and total stranger die on the same day. Yes both stories are sad and you mourn for both... But being realistic of course you're going to mourn more for you cousin than the total stranger. Which is human because you had better connection with your cousin than you did the stranger. Same concept of thinking can be applied to the Amy vs Norway situation. No, Amy's life wasn't worth more than the people in Norway's. But at the same time Amy had a bigger stage in life and she was blessed to use that stage and touch people with her music. So in a sense celebrities deaths can be more personal than random people you never met. But that doesn't mean their tragedy is any less important.
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Yes, this.
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