Tragically famous

Image projection is a very poor second for connection | Janie B. Cheaney

Associated Press/Photo by Cliff Schiappa

Who's the most famous man in the world?" my son asked me some time back. The president of the United States, I thought. But no, it was someone my son had recently brushed against while working at Universal City Theme Park: Michael Jackson, with his children and his entourage. Excitement generated by the King of Pop went far beyond southern California—"Tibetan monks know who Michael Jackson is." That's probably true, but what does it mean?

There was a time when fame meant success: military victory, artistic accomplishment, scientific achievement, "Hail to the Chief." It came with cheers, banners, and confetti. A famous man was preceded by his reputation; his deeds were known better than his face. But a significant shift occurred around the turn of the 20th century. In 1915, the most famous man in the world was not a king or conqueror. He was a commoner associated with thwarted ambitions: Charlie Chaplin.

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August 01, 2009, Vol. 24, No. 15

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