I know, I know.

We're all getting sick of the 24/7 every channel plus the Internet coverage of Michael Jackson's death. I'm right there with you. I've heard some of you question why they are making such a big deal of it, but although I'm tired of hearing about it myself (and wish they cover a little other news too), I understand why it's such a big story. Not since Princess Diana has a death been as truly significant to the world-at-large.

The undeniable truth of the matter is this: Michael Jackson, for all his talent, weirdness, and flaws, made a huge impact on pop culture. That can not be understated. His music spanned decades and successfully crossed racial barriers that opened the door for many rappers and other artists. His moonwalk on the Motown 25th Anniversary Special inspired leagues of young dancers (as evidenced by a recent So You Think You Can Dance bio of one of the contestants). He helped turn music videos into an art form, and he spearheaded some notable humanitarian efforts such as "We Are the World."

I read recently that Michael Jackson (in particular the Thriller video) was the reason for MTV's success, and it would have never made it without him. In turn, MTV was the reason for cable television's success. As someone who remembers gathering with brother, sister, and visiting cousins to watch Thriller every hour on the hour when it debuted (much to the consternation of my grandparents), I can attest to how this is true. Keep in mind that this was made possible only after us kids lobbied the heck out of my notoriously-frugal parents to get cable so we wouldn't miss the Thriller premier.

Yes, I know, Michael had those pedophile charges against him. Though we may never know for certain due to the way they were settled out of court, my personal belief is that the charges were probably in some way true. I think that Michael was in many ways robbed of his own childhood, and that his pedophiliac obsession with young boys was a disturbed attempt to recapture it. Unfortunately, too many people around Michael were interested in him more as a product than as a human and didn't encourage him to get the help he needed. While we shouldn't just shrug off any crimes against children he may have committed, they don't change the influence Michael Jackson's life had on the world.

So am I personally devastated by Michael Jackson's death? No. I had to adjust to the shock of losing such an iconic figure, but unlike Princess Diana's death, I haven't shed a single tear. Michael Jackson's life was incredibly tragic in so many ways, but the sudden, doleful method of his death was somehow appropriate. It will be remembered in much the same way the deaths of Princess Diana, Elvis, and John Lennon are, and I think that would have pleased him very much.