After Christmas death, teen leaves online message behind

[Allbutanillusion]

This subject could have been posted undercurrent events as well but I will put it here.

I actually have not seen this mentioned here (which may not be that surprising)
but here is a link...http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kid-cudi-responds-ben-breedlove-video-farewell-shortly-teen-fan-died-heart-condition-article-1.998401 there are actually many more but this one actually have his YouTube videos embedded/featured within the content of the article.

My question is ... is all of this attention that this kid is getting, is it justified. I mean seriously all he did was have some YouTube channels where he posted different videos as an hobby and he is being treated as if he was some sort of saint. Yes it is a very sad story but there are thousands of other sad stories in this world at this very moment. So why has this kid attracted so much attention?

Some speculate that it is because his family is wealthy, other say that because he was he was rather attractive. I myself tend to wonder, what if his family wasn't rich or he wasn't perceived as attractive as he is. There are many people with a lot less who do a lot more who do a lot more, people more deserving of the recognition, with more caring and compassion for communities ans society that this kid. I mean his videos were a hobby. What do you think , were looks and wealth a factor in all of this media attention given to this one kid?

[kenoloor]

We live in a world of bandwagon activism and this is yet another example of that.

[Modus Operandi]

bandwagon activism

I'll probably wind up using this sometime in the future. Well put.

You're right. Most people don't give two shits about this stuff until it becomes "cool" to do so.

[Allbutanillusion]

Well, when you think about it you're contributing to the attention and making the story more famous by posting this. I don't really think that there's anything wrong with the attention though... the kid never had a normal life and had to undergo dangerous surgeries. He had to live through his life with the possibility of him dying any second, and he did.


Yes, but with any story you choose to share in a discussion board, forum, or blog you are contributing to the proliferation of the story. I wasn't saying that it was a totally bad thing but I would actually somewhat agree with Sapphire_Flames in that the attention that this kid/story is getting does seem to have a bandwagon mentality to it I think that here are a lot more people out their more worthy of the publicity/attention for their unselfish deeds /contributions to their communities.



You're right. Most people don't give two shits about this stuff until it becomes "cool" to do so.


That too, is so true.

Please don't double post. Use the "Edit" or "Multi-quote" buttons if you have something to add. ~TheMatrix

[Jupiter]

breaks my heart. </3

[kenoloor]

breaks my heart. </3

And in a couple hours you won't even be thinking about it. Case in point.

[Allbutanillusion]

Though I do have to add: it's unfair that just because he posted a video that he gets heaps more attention than others. For example, Wikipedia all of the sudden creates a page for him that only discusses his death and nothing else.


Yes , that is part of what I was referring to when I was stating that I think there is a lot of unnecessary attention being given to this. Yes, it is a very sad story and it is perfectly alright to empathize actually, I think that it is only human to empathize ( at least for most people, the good decent ones)

But to treat him as some sort of "Saint" is a little overkill. I mean there are people who are far more deserving, people who have a lot less, yet are just as if not more giving.

My main purpose in creating this thread is not speak badly of the dead, or to collect every single opinion or thought in detail on him or the story.

As mentioned in my original post, if he (his family actually) was not wealthy or perceived as good looking, do you think that this would be getting the attention that it has?

[TheGangstaSheep]

Lots of people die, why should I care just because his experience was known. People die without us even thinking about it so we shouldn't think about someone just because they got exposure from death.

[kenoloor]

Yes , that is part of what I was referring to when I was stating that I think there is a lot of unnecessary attention being given to this. Yes, it is a very sad story and it is perfectly alright to empathize actually, I think that it is only human to empathize ( at least for most people, the good decent ones)

Are you implying that I'm an indecent human being because I don't see the need to emotionally invest myself in something that neither matters to me nor affects me? That's not very nice.

[Allbutanillusion]

Are you implying that I'm an indecent human being because I don't see the need to emotionally invest myself in something that neither matters to me nor affects me? That's not very nice.


Well, as for now, all I am going to say is people will always have a difference of opinions.

Also you need to educate yourself on what empathy means( if you are capable)..., here let me help - Empathy is the capacity to recognize and, to some extent, share feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another sapient or semi-sapient being. Someone may need to have a certain amount of empathy before they are able to feel compassion.

I do however agree with you that the attention that this is receiving is due to bandwagon mentality.

[kenoloor]

Well, as for now, all I am going to say is people will always have a difference of opinions.

Also you need to educate yourself on what empathy means( if you are capable)..., here let me help - Empathy is the capacity to recognize and, to some extent, share feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another sapient or semi-sapient being. Someone may need to have a certain amount of empathy before they are able to feel compassion.

Just because I choose not to invest my emotions in something pointless does not make me incapable of empathizing or feeling compassion. I merely save it for matters that are relevant to my life and which actually affect me, as opposed to stories such as this one which have no influence on myself or my life and I therefore do not care about.

Assuming someone else's stupidity will only result in their irritation with you, as I have so aptly demonstrated.

[AppealToReason]

No, it's not justified. People just like to pretend they give a flying fuck to make themselves feel better.

at least that's my theory...<.<

[Invincible]

But to treat him as some sort of "Saint" is a little overkill. I mean there are people who are far more deserving, people who have a lot less, yet are just as if not more giving.


Fair point. Death is a natural occurrence. Maybe dying of his cause wasn't. That was a cool tribute but all it asks for, really, is a RIP. For a second. You probably didn't know him, and he didn't know you, and there's a clear lack of any bond between you two. You don't need to remember him seconds after. He didn't ask of that.

Seeing someone stand like that, afraid of death. That's cool.


Just because I choose not to invest my emotions in something pointless does not make me incapable of empathizing or feeling compassion. I merely save it for matters that are relevant to my life and which actually affect me, as opposed to stories such as this one which have no influence on myself or my life and I therefore do not care about.

Assuming someone else's stupidity will only result in their irritation with you, as I have so aptly demonstrated.


Well said.