When there is a death in the public sphere, society and social
media tend to center around it and feel a personal sense of loss. And that sense is very much real. I have spent more time with Robin Williams' work in
my life than with some of my extended family. I have spent more time reading Star Wars
books than biology books. This shows us
that there is some real loss in our lives, even if we have never met the
deceased in their lifetime.
Also, I work hard
to not get excited about celebrities. I
had a very short stint in the theatre as a kid and worked with a few people who
are notable. I saw the chinks in their
armor and how they had to take one day at a time.