Coverage of Michael Jackson's death has been over the top and reflective of the type of media excess that seems to drive celebrities, and particularly Michael, to self destruction.
Of even more impact to me was the death of Farrah Fawcett, perhaps because it was cancer, a threat we all face and over which we have limited control. Farrah's poster and hairstyle affected literally millions of young people, both men and women, in the 1970's. Guys wanted to date her and girls wanted her hairstyle.
In searching the web this weekend about Farrah I stumbled upon an interview with Ayn Rand on the Phil Donahue show from early 1980. Ayn says she liked Charlie's Angels because ". . . it was 3 attractive girls doing impossible things. . ." On top of this they looked great and took action while the men just talked. Charlies Angels was the top rated show. See: Ayn Rand Phil Donahue Interview.
Farrah's impact was empowering and positive. She helped people dream and take action on their dreams. It's better to remember her from the 1970s, before the Hollywood life affected her.
Over the almost 30 years since the Rand interview a lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same. Despite radically different political and religious views both Rand and Donahue show each other tremendous kindness and respect. You don't see much of that today.
The interview was near the end of the economic debacle of the 1970s. Since the interview we have had the greatest increase in wealth and technology in history but we are once again back into economic hard times.
Ayn Rand's philosophy about self reliance and personal expression is not overly popular now but her views and followers are what kicked off the economic boom. It's worth viewing these clips to see how full circle we have come.
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