Everyday Ethics

Michael Jackson Autopsy Pictures: Innocent Curiosity Or Ghoulish Obsession?

Thursday October 29, 2009

Categories: By Hillary Fields
I asked it before when people were searching for David Carradine's hanging photos. What makes people so crazy to see celebrities' post-mortem moments? Now rumor is spreading that Michael Jackson's autopsy photos are about to be leaked, and the internet is afire with the news.

So, is it innocent curiosity, or...

...are people really sickos?

Maybe there's a third option. Maybe, when someone was never really real to us in the first place, like a pop icon or a movie star, their passing feels as ephemeral as their glamorous life. We feel a need for concrete evidence that they've met their end to prove they really existed in the first place; that they were real people, like us. We're trying to connect, in some warped way, with the humanity of these celebrities whose lives seemed so far removed from our more humdrum existences.

Or so goes that theory. 

Even if it's true, I think that the decent thing to do is to get past it, look away, and leave the deceased some decency. While I did say I thought it was OK to keep making Michael Jackson jokes after he passed, I argued that as a matter of avoiding hypocrisy. When it comes to splashing pictures of a mutilated corpse across the world wide web, I think we have to draw the line, morally speaking. He's got children, parents, and siblings who've been through quite enough. Whoever is leaking those photos has no heart. 

To those whose morbid curiosity is driving them to take a peek at Michael Jackson's autopsy pictures, I say, if you must look, keep a moment of pity in your heart. Keep a spark of humanity in your mind. One day it will be you on the cold slab.

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Comments
AJCRane
October 29, 2009 6:16 PM

I whole heartily agree that you should keep in mind that this was a REAL person. Some of us lucky ones got to see that person in the flesh, and may have even spoken with that person or shaken hands. Those that look at images like that it's probably a combination of morbid curiosity, and to fix that person in our minds and see that they are really truly gone from this world.

As for the David Carradine image, read the Maxim Magazine article The Last Days of David Carradine. It seems the Thai Reporters will actually STAGE a photo if they aren't able to acquire an actual police photo. In my mind that is sick, trying to get images of someone who has died horribly just so they can make a buck.

People need to be reminded that the person who has died does have a family and publishing images like that WITHOUT the family's consent could be devastating. It can only bring more pain. I have to admit that I did see David's Post Austopsy Photo. The photo wasn't in poor taste though it was graphic. It was no more graphic than seeing a person's scar from open heart surgery. Even so, I did make it all the more clear to me that David is no longer a part of this world, and I will miss him deeply.

MG
October 30, 2009 6:15 PM

I do not believe MJ is dead? A photo would be concrete evidence....if you don't like it don't look!

Lee
October 30, 2009 9:22 PM

The "only" reason I would want to see the photos is because I still cannot believe he is dead. I am still grieving and cannot move past the shock. For me, it's like losing a loved one or family member, it still hurts. I need some kind of closure.

nancy @ princetoncryo
November 1, 2009 9:03 AM
http://www.princetoncryo.com

MJ was a legend. Only his movies can bring in such a huge response that its producer, Sony, is looking for 'This is also it' - a sequel of the current movie.

tae
November 1, 2009 11:39 AM

just sooooooo sad

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This blog is all about ethics. It's also about us--ordinary people facing ordinary situations. It's about asking ourselves the hard questions: What responsibility do we bear in our interactions (and yes, confrontations) with the people we meet? How do we best respond to those around us in a way that leaves us feeling good about ourselves and confident our behavior has done no harm? Have we helped or hurt our fellows in these moments? It's our belief that by asking some big questions (and some little ones too) we can grow as humans. We're glad you're along for the ride!

About the Authors

Hillary Fields
Hillary Fields is a New York-based writer, editor and web producer.
» Posts by Hillary Fields
Padmini Mangunta
Padmini Mangunta is a writer and editor with a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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