All these actors & musicians I used to watch and listen to keep dying

[U. A.]

Brian Wilson and Sly Stone died a couple days apart last month, the guy who was in Kill Bill & Reservoir Dogs went a few days ago, the last surviving member of The Band died at the start of the year.

I know it's silly when people are being blown away on the daily in war globally, but mass media and celebrity culture creates all the parasocial relationships - even before the internet age - and these deaths feel personal in a way. I mean, I have personally known a small number of people who died, but all these musicians especially who were foundational to modern music are all getting to that age (if not dead already) that they're just gonna keep dropping.

What's even more sad and legit surprising is the number of them who are in shitty living conditions when they go. Poor, alone, in horrible health with no real caregivers (no paid bullshit). If these culture-makers can die so ignobly, what the hell chance do I have of getting to the point of going "naturally" and it being any less than abysmal?

 

[Carrot]

About the no paid bullshit thing.. no matter what you do, you need money to do that for a long amount of time. There are people who care, who cheat the system, and those who just want to get by in every job and service. I wouldn't dismiss something juat because it's paid.

---

Most people get to the point of going "naturally", so I wouldn't worry about that from a statistical point of view.

You don't need this or that to do that.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I know what you mean. Not to say one life is more valuable than other but obviously, if a person dies and we enjoyed their work, we miss them. Gene Hackman and his wife had an especially sad death recently.

I agree also, it seems strange to find out someone really talented and well respected died poor. I guess sometimes they get too used to a luxury lifestyle but then, start to lose the income to maintain it.

 

[Forveleth]

What's even more sad and legit surprising is the number of them who are in shitty living conditions when they go.

While I do not know the details of each of these deaths, I do know this is a pattern with famous people. A lot of times though, it is because they get caught up in the lavish lifestyle. They are grossly irresponsible with their money, spending it on big houses, lavish vacations, drugs, and whatever else makes them happy in the moment. Hardly any of them bother setting up responsible savings. They think they will live off of their career forever. When reality hits, they are not prepared for it. You should not compare yourself to someone who lives a completely different lifestyle than you. Sure, you might not be bringing in the millions they did, but I bet you could still end your life with more than they had.

The shitty living conditions also pertains to friends. Stardom breeds hollow friendships. Money makes people turn their backs on family. Stars push people out of their lives because they are in a "different circle" of society and then when things go to shit, they do not having anyone to come crying to because, who wants to be friends with the once rich asshole that turned their back on you once they got big?

TL;DR Save what you can, when you can and be nice to your friends. You will turn out better than so many famous people.

 

[Pluto]

 

[Cauliflour]

While I do not know the details of each of these deaths, I do know this is a pattern with famous people. A lot of times though, it is because they get caught up in the lavish lifestyle. They are grossly irresponsible with their money, spending it on big houses, lavish vacations, drugs, and whatever else makes them happy in the moment. Hardly any of them bother setting up responsible savings. They think they will live off of their career forever. When reality hits, they are not prepared for it. You should not compare yourself to someone who lives a completely different lifestyle than you. Sure, you might not be bringing in the millions they did, but I bet you could still end your life with more than they had.

The shitty living conditions also pertains to friends. Stardom breeds hollow friendships. Money makes people turn their backs on family. Stars push people out of their lives because they are in a "different circle" of society and then when things go to shit, they do not having anyone to come crying to because, who wants to be friends with the once rich asshole that turned their back on you once they got big?

TL;DR Save what you can, when you can and be nice to your friends. You will turn out better than so many famous people.

This is good advice. If I ever become famous then the house I want to live in is a 2 bedroom terraced house in a nice sub-herb, basically like the house my dad bought before I was born. Mansions freak me out because what would I do with all those extra rooms? I'll be worrying about not using that house to the fullest and wouldn't properly appreciate it. Also I'm paranoid about a lot of things, including money, so I would be chucking all that extra cash into a savings account and watch the interest money pour in...