Value Creation versus Value Destruction

So, the big news this week for me was Whitney Houston's passing. I have also been following a little story about John Friend's exposure. I have sat on the sidelines and watched as both of these "stories" were commented upon. I have noticed many trends, and want to speak to them in this blog. 

ONE -- I read and heard so many disparaging comments about Whitney Houston being a drug addict and how she basically (of course) was going to end up dead anyway from an overdose. This all was said even without knowing the cause of her death. At the same time, I read and heard so many excuses for John Friend's behavior, exposed on www.yogadork.com. About how he was human, and how we shouldn't cast stones because none of us are without sin . . . blah blah blah. 

My first question then is this -- why is Whitney being villified by many, while John continues to be excused? 

TWO -- I read and heard people wondering why folks were sad that Whitney Houston died. I read many comments stating that "she is just a person, so why should we all mourn her death so much?" Meanwhile, I juxtapose that against all the comments written about how phenomenal John Friend's influence on the world has been, and how many people are mourning his "fall from grace."

My second question then, is: why are we not ashamed to grieve the loss of the LIFE of Whitney Houston and her affect on the entertainment world, but are shamed if we do not grieve the loss of  the INFLUENCE of John Friend and his influence in the yogaworld?

THREE -- While Whitney never set out to use or abuse her power and influence, the media makes her out to be weak; someone who should be dismissed as a loser because she was (for a short part of her too short life), hurting herself with her addictions. John, on the other hand, did knowingly and actively set out to abuse and use his power and influence, and yet his followers circle the wagons around him, claiming he is so strong for coming clean with his transgressions! (He was exposed, remember?)

My third question? Why is Whitney, who offers her fans a pure gift (her voice, her connection to soul, the way her singing made us feel) not considered by many to be someone who created value in this world while she was alive? And why is John, who took advantage of so many other people's gifts not considered by more people to be someone who is destroying value?

These are just my musings . . . what are yours? 

Comments

[Vanessa Skym]

I agree with your musings Dana!