Whitney Houston Dead

[Xyloxadoria 1,099]

The Associated Press is reporting that Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48.

Publicist Kristen Foster said that the causes of the singer's death are unknown.

Read the full story here

If it turns out to be drugs its yet another person we lost to the horrible effects of drugs. I

[Kirkland22 5]

Sad. People only seem to pay attention to this kind of thing when it happens to a famous person, though.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

CBC news story:

At age 48. Undoubtedly ravaged by the kind of life style she fell into. Really tragic to lose such a star. R.I.P.

[airman15 4,111]

Thats terrible.. And at 48, that's still relatively young.

R.I.P Whitney

[Geekflame 0]

This is so sad! RIP Whitney Houston.

She really laid out the path for many artists today. We'll miss you, Whitney!

[Ded 30]

I'm currently checked into the Heartbreak Hotel. Where do broken hearts go?

[Silur 3,301]

RIP Whitney ...

[hym 358]

I really don't understand why this is considered tragic. Death is an inevitability, and Whitney Houston has done more to cause her untimely demise than anyone else. She developed a daily drug habit. If you survive it, which is highly doubtful, you can be almost certain that you will never achieve a normal lifespan. "Dying young" will be your new "normal lifespan." While it is possible to take up a drug habit that "should kill you" and survive it, it is exceedingly unlikely. Ozzy Osbourne is one of the only individuals to have ever done that, and it appears that the only reason he survived is because of genetic mutations that have only been found in his DNA. (Even with the benefits of those mutations, Ozzy's DNA is said to be so messed up from the decades of drug abuse that it's barely recognizable as human DNA.)

[Merlin of Flyote 8]

Should be a warning to a certain element of society though I doubt that they'll take any notice. Sadly drugs seem to go with the "Rock and Roll" lifestyle. So many artists go too early.

[Ded 30]

I really don't understand why this is considered tragic. Death is an inevitability, and Whitney Houston has done more to cause her untimely demise than anyone else. She developed a daily drug habit. If you survive it, which is highly doubtful, you can be almost certain that you will never achieve a normal lifespan. "Dying young" will be your new "normal lifespan." While it is possible to take up a drug habit that "should kill you" and survive it, it is exceedingly unlikely. Ozzy Osbourne is one of the only individuals to have ever done that, and it appears that the only reason he survived is because of genetic mutations that have only been found in his DNA. (Even with the benefits of those mutations, Ozzy's DNA is said to be so messed up from the decades of drug abuse that it's barely recognizable as human DNA.)

That's much of the tragedy. A human being, one with an extraordinary talent who reached millions of people across the globe, has passed away because she succumbed to her inner demons, and couldn't beat the illness of addiction. It's desperately sad - and if you can't recognize the sadness in that, then perhaps you shouldn't post.

[hym 358]

That's much of the tragedy. A human being, one with an extraordinary talent who reached millions of people across the globe, has passed away because she succumbed to her inner demons, and couldn't beat the illness of addiction. It's desperately sad - and if you can't recognize the sadness in that, then perhaps you shouldn't post.

A human being, who was well aware of the risks that are associated with drug use, has passed away because she made the conscious decision to start down the road of drug abuse. This isn't tragedy; it's the expected outcome of incredibly poor decision making. She knew the risks, she took them, and it killed her for it.

[Meg 368]

I really don't understand why this is considered tragic. Death is an inevitability, and Whitney Houston has done more to cause her untimely demise than anyone else. She developed a daily drug habit. If you survive it, which is highly doubtful, you can be almost certain that you will never achieve a normal lifespan.

Yes, she made choices that probably lead to her death. Even when self-induced, a death that young is tragic.

Using your reasoning, it is not tragic when a soldier is killed in combat because he chose to join the army in the first place.

Ozzy Osbourne is one of the only individuals to have ever done that, and it appears that the only reason he survived is because of genetic mutations that have only been found in his DNA. (Even with the benefits of those mutations, Ozzy's DNA is said to be so messed up from the decades of drug abuse that it's barely recognizable as human DNA.)

Yes, Ozzy is part neandertal. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=ozzy-osbourne-genome

[Duke87 1,070]

Using your reasoning, it is not tragic when a soldier is killed in combat because he chose to join the army in the first place.

Sacrificing your life fighting for something you believe in is very different from dying due to behavior which is purely self-destructive.

But that said, the decision to take drugs is not made in a vacuum for no reason. People who turn to it typically do so because they feel neglected and have needs which aren't being fulfilled through more acceptable means, which is where the tragedy comes in. In the case of celebrities are two reasons why this happens. One is because for many people being famous is itself a drug. So, when their career inevitably wanes, they need something else to replace that high with. The other is that being famous can take a huge emotional toll (try leading a normal life with the paparazzi chasing you and everyone recognizing you). Some people can't handle the stress and end up turning to drugs for relief. This is one of the ugly sides of Hollywood and the whole modern concept of fame. Everyone loves you but no one actually cares about you.

  Edited February 12, 2012 by Duke87  

[Meg 368]

Sacrificing your life fighting for something you believe in is very different from dying due to behavior which is purely self-destructive.

I totally agree.

People choose to put oneself in harm's way for a variety of reasons, some good and some bad. Either way, it was a choice that individual made.

My point is, choice alone does not determine whether a death is tragic or not.

But that said, the decision to take drugs is not made in a vacuum for no reason. People who turn to it typically do so because they feel neglected and have needs which aren't being fulfilled through more acceptable means, which is where the tragedy comes in. In the case of celebrities are two reasons why this happens. One is because for many people being famous is itself a drug. So, when their career inevitably wanes, they need something else to replace that high with. The other is that being famous can take a huge emotional toll (try leading a normal life with the paparazzi chasing you and everyone recognizing you). Some people can't handle the stress and end up turning to drugs for relief. This is one of the ugly sides of Hollywood and the whole modern concept of fame. Everyone loves you but no one actually cares about you.

Well said.

There are a variety of problems that come with being formerly famous, or not as famous as you used to be. If I'm doing the math correctly, Whitney Houston hit it big with "The Greatest Love of All" when she was 19. From the wiki article "The song received critical acclaim and became a big hit, topping the charts in Australia, Canada and the US, while reaching the top twenty in most countries, including Italy, Sweden and UK."

Stardom tends to come in peaks and valleys. Not everyone is equipped to handle the roller coaster ride.

Am I making excuses for her? I'm just saying I have some understanding of what she was dealing with. Is it tragic that this reality of life has claimed yet another young talent? Yes, I think it is.

[hym 358]

I really don't understand why this is considered tragic. Death is an inevitability, and Whitney Houston has done more to cause her untimely demise than anyone else. She developed a daily drug habit. If you survive it, which is highly doubtful, you can be almost certain that you will never achieve a normal lifespan.

Yes, she made choices that probably lead to her death. Even when self-induced, a death that young is tragic.

Using your reasoning, it is not tragic when a soldier is killed in combat because he chose to join the army in the first place.

To that specific point, the death of an individual who is willing to risk personal well being for the benefit of others is a tragedy.

However, there is a larger issue here. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of individuals die each year as a result of entirely preventable circumstances of their own creation. Everyone gets sad, calls the events tragic, and they do whatever else it is they feel appropriate for the situation. Rarely does anyone bring up the issue of personal accountability, that you are responsible for your actions, and if you choose to undertake self-destructive habits, you have no one to thank for the outcome except yourself.

A world famous individual has died as a result of self-destructive habits of her own choosing. Yet what is everyone doing? Completely ignoring the fact that she largely brought this upon herself. So we'll continue on in our merry little lives, the larger problems will continue, and more people will die of drug abuse. Deaths that might have been prevented if we as a society had used this as a teaching example of what can happen if you choose to pick up self-destructive habits like drug abuse.

[Meg 368]

Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of individuals die each year as a result of entirely preventable circumstances of their own creation. Everyone gets sad, calls the events tragic, and they do whatever else it is they feel appropriate for the situation.

Most people do not consider "ha, ha, it serves you right" an appropriate response.

Rarely does anyone bring up the issue of personal accountability, that you are responsible for your actions, and if you choose to undertake self-destructive habits, you have no one to thank for the outcome except yourself.

I agree that should be discussed more. I am all in favor of personal accountability and agree that our society does not put enough emphasis on it. That does not stop me from feeling that the death of a young person is tragic.

A world famous individual has died as a result of self-destructive habits of her own choosing. Yet what is everyone doing? Completely ignoring the fact that she largely brought this upon herself. So we'll continue on in our merry little lives, the larger problems will continue, and more people will die of drug abuse. Deaths that might have been prevented if we as a society had used this as a teaching example of what can happen if you choose to pick up self-destructive habits like drug abuse.

What specific, actionable steps do you believe should be taken here? and who should be taking them?

[Ded 30]

That's much of the tragedy. A human being, one with an extraordinary talent who reached millions of people across the globe, has passed away because she succumbed to her inner demons, and couldn't beat the illness of addiction. It's desperately sad - and if you can't recognize the sadness in that, then perhaps you shouldn't post.

A human being, who was well aware of the risks that are associated with drug use, has passed away because she made the conscious decision to start down the road of drug abuse. This isn't tragedy; it's the expected outcome of incredibly poor decision making. She knew the risks, she took them, and it killed her for it.

You say that like addiction is part of a rational thought process. Addiction is a serious illness.

[hym 358]

Most people do not consider "ha, ha, it serves you right" an appropriate response.

At the same time, unwarranted sympathy is not helpful.

What specific, actionable steps do you believe should be taken here? and who should be taking them?

The general approach is showing children/teenagers the effects of alcoholism, drug use, smoking, and other destructive behaviors in all their gory, terrifying reality. Some specific ideas:

If a high school student drives drunk and dies, put the car on the front lawn of the high school he attended, right where everyone can see it. Tell them all what happened. Throw in a life-like replica of the deceased student. Mutilate the replica to show how the body looked when emergency crews arrived on the scene. No matter how gory the body was, the replica should be designed to show it. Add a description of the student's last moments: "As the car slid under the semi, the last thing Bob saw was the windshield collapsing and the roof coming down to sever his head..." Make it plainly clear that if anyone else does the same thing, his/her vehicle will be the next one up for display.

If the child/teenager is caught using drugs, sentence the child/teenager to 90 days community service providing care for drug addicts. Get the child/teenager acquainted with the homelessness, poverty, disease, social stigmas, fears, and so forth that (s)he should be expecting if (s)he wants to continue this lifestyle.

Instead of a field trip to a zoo or a museum to learn about animals or space, take students on a field trip to a morgue to see lungs ruined from years of smoking and livers destroyed by alcoholism. Don't merely leave it at looking at damaged livers and lungs, make the students touch said organs. Make it disgusting, make it unsettling, make it personal, make it something you can't forget no matter how hard you try.

At this point, everything I have suggested has been actions that are likely best taken by the state and the school system. Parents need to reinforce the overall message and ensure it remains the same: "No matter the problems you may have, substance abuse and other destructive behaviors are not a solution."

You say that like addiction is part of a rational thought process. Addiction is a serious illness.

An illness brought about because of a conscious decision to engage in a behavior that could reasonably be assumed to cause the illness. Addicted or not, there is no excuse for her behavior.

[Jazzmaster 716]

I hate to throw a wrench into the subject here, but is there really such a thing as preventing death? It's a fate we all share...we can choose different lifestyles to deter death for X number of years, but even the healthiest person can die on impact in a plane crash. I suppose on that note, the plane crash would be a tragedy since it was due to circumstances well beyond their control...I just think that there's no such thing as preventing or avoiding death; all we can do is continue to extend our life expectancy.

When somebody dies, I don't think so much about the death and how they could've prolonged their life. I just give them a respectful thought, perhaps even a moment of silence (even when Bin Laden died, I wasn't really 'happy', I was just like "oh, okay". My reaction can be open to flexibility since I wasn't personally affected by 9/11 or the War on Terror however).

  Edited February 12, 2012 by Yoshiisland  

[Durfsurn 539]

R.I.P Whitney Houston. Great voice, inspiring but drug abuse took her life. Too all people having a purple patch in life dont go near drugs. Talk to someone. Look what happens! I will not go near smokes or drugs at all. On the subject of is this a tragedy I say it is. I think it's kinda mean not to feel sad about such a famous and gifted individual. Again R.I.P Whitney.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

R.I.P Whitney Houston. Great voice, inspiring but drug abuse took her life. Too all people having a purple patch in life dont go near drugs. Talk to someone. Look what happens! I will not go near smokes or drugs at all. On the subject of is this a tragedy I say it is. I think it's kinda mean not to feel sad about such a famous and gifted individual. Again R.I.P Whitney.

She was a victim of her success. One of the biggest problems in her life was the never to be sufficiently damned curse of the slightly famous, the infamous Paparazzi. These are, of course, a symptom of the voracious press and other media who have lost all restraint and decorum. Too much money flies around when high-budgeted publications will pay almost anything for the latest, hottest picture or sound-byte. It is a symptom of our very decadent society, always looking for the next sensation.

Poor girl. I really feel for her, but shrinks are cheaper than drugs and alcohol in the long run. Such a beautiful voice, such a beautiful girl, such an ugly corpse in an ugly place. Requiescat in pacem.

[Barbarossa 51]

.

  Edited September 9, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[Javascap 9]

Image says my entire opinion on it.

[Equinox 1,209]

Well... I thought Hym was pretty much the G of this thread until Javascap's FG gif. #fullofwin

Perhaps there is middle ground here. And by that I mean my opinion: I don't much care about her death on the level of music, personality, or really, the idea of caring much about celebrities, but the fact that the quantity of human life on this earth was lessened by one on this day, however much we do or don't mind this particular disappearance, due to something vile is very regrettable.

We can spend all day playing the blame game, and truth be told I kind of agree with Hym, but I think it's important to keep the perspective of humanity here. Says the humanities major!

[Follarch 326]

How about we all agree the loss of a Human life is the tragic part of this. But seeing the sheer media coverage of this is unbelievable.

I found this shared on Facebook. I think it pretty much sums up how messed up society views a "tragic loss".

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Tragic (like all deaths) but unsurprising and overhyped.