Posted by: Crossbowman
06/14/2005, 17:00:57
 (About author)
Edit
|
Jackson's decline over the past couple of decades reminds me in some ways of Howard Hughes. No, to the best of my knowledge, Hughes was never suspected of having any pedophilic interests, but after about the mid-fifties, the man got increasingly bizarre and withdrawn, becoming obsessed with germs. Hughes tale was sad in part because his wealth and power insulated him from any possible help - who's going to commit a billionaire to a mental institution? Jackson too has gotten this far because his wealth shielded him: no one in his inner circle had the power to challenge his increasingly bizarre behavior, not and make him listen, and he could "clean up" previous awkward situations with a settlement and then rationalize them away in his mind. One former associate dates his decline to the period when he stopped actively practicing his religion and started becoming obsessed with his appearance. Now he stands as an object of ridicule and scorn except among his most devoted fans, and I suspect he know it. Perhaps this incident will bring him to earth. More likely, I expect him to become more withdrawn and reclusive. The Greeks had a word for it: hubris.
|
