Hijacking the sympathy of death

It's not exactly great to go into such a morose subject as death. I wonder what thanatologists (academics who study death and dying) are actually like - probably not dissimilar to me and you, in civilian clothes and the whole shebang. But despite this momentary diversion, it is clear that talk of death is not particularly 'kosher'. If we are to see the glass not just half full but overflowing, should one merely sideline this issue as just a little bit too taboo?

It's not easy looking death in the eye

I think it is important to think about it at least, as death in the media is recreated in such dramatic and tragic varieties; part of a grand story with Samuel Barber or Mozart's Requiem in the background. This not only shows our feelings, but also how manipulable and easily 'falsified' these emotions can be. Let's consider the following case:

You hate a person for some reason or another - he/she is too obnoxious/awkward/arrogant/bitchy/evil. Delete as appropriate. But then you hear that this person has a life-threatening illness. Oh no, as you look behind your shoulder you can see guilt, regret, perhaps a hint of embarrassment slowly creep up on you.  So far the narrative is holding up.

Would you feel sorry for her? Isn't she incredibly 'plucky and bubbly at heart'?

But it is your worst nightmare, as the curtains rise and it is revealed that this person was just a bloody good actor. So believable, fell right into the trap. Anger and confusion join in the heady mix of thoughts that flash across your brain.

In our secular world, it is the prospect of death that often brings disparate people together. It is part of common humanity - the international language of feeling. We rely on this so much as part of our meaning of life  in the absence of religion and spirituality - it is the romance of life which keeps many of us going. But of course there is a trap here as emotion can be psychologically manufactured so effectively these days. 'You show them what they want before they even know they want it'.

'Live with dignity, die with cough*questioned*cough dignity'

We come together faced with our inevitable mortality but what if the tragedy becomes a farce? What if death is not essentially important but inconvenient? The huge sighs of frustration commuters let out this evening when a person jumping in front of the train resulting in a fatality is testament to this. Whoever committed suicide was just a little bit selfish and inconsiderate. Going to be late for my meeting/dinner date/holiday!?!?

Note:
Thanks to the wonderful Perez Hilton for the 2nd picture. I don't know who he is really, but pretty funny all the same.