A disease is pandemic not merely epidemic when it affects people over a very wide geographical area. The 1918 influenza was pandemic, as also is the global reach of HIV. Michael Jackson’s trial is an extreme example of a very widespread cultural infection: a crisis of the child.
Michael Jackson, of course, is still most famous for that moonwalk dance and his massively successful Thriller album. Soon enough, though, the decade or more long scandals surrounding his Neverland Ranch and accusations of child molestation in that environment will compete for immediate word association with the Jackson brand name. The ‘Gloved One’ could become ‘the handcuffed one.’
Psychology
Despite all the media fascination with the Jackson trial — what will he wear, will he turn up on time, will he (especially after the defense seems to have closed weakly) testify — for me the real intrigue centres not on the verdict but on the psychology. Jackson has for some while seemed a little ‘strange’ (readers may remember a certain tongue-in-cheek cover of his ‘Bad’ single called ‘Mad’). But over the last ten years or so the extent of his apparent psychosis and, in particular, his fixation on issues of childhood is remarkable. The prosecution produced two books depicting nude boys discovered in a locked cabinet in Jackson’s bedroom. This is all rather gruesome, but even more weird is the inscription (signed ‘MJ’ and, it is thought, in Jackson’s handwriting) on the inside cover of one of the books: ‘Look at the true spirit of happiness and joy in these boys’ faces, this is the spirit of boyhood, a life I've never had and will always dream of. This is the life I want for my children.’
