Hmmm. Well, that's interesting, Jeff. You're talking about something that I know just about absolutely nothing about...and I have little interest it...but obviously it means something to you, and that's understandable. I've heard of Arsenio Hall...way back when...but I can't even remember what he looks like now. I have barely watched any TV since the late 80's! I don't own an ipod, and don't wish to. ;-) Today's urban youth culture means nothing to me.

So how would I even know about stuff like that?

If it's meaningful to you, I can't argue with that. Every succeeding generation finds new things that are meaningful for them, and that's just gonna keep happening forever and ever. Some day farther on down the road some young kids will be saying to you, "Mariah who? Arsenio who?" ...and they'll be telling you about someone that YOU maybe can't relate to.

So it goes... ;-)

I only have this vague impression about her that she does pop songs and seems to be marketed as a sex symbol in a very blatant way, always trying to outdo the last time with each new song...but, hey, it sells records, right?

I wasn't aware she was representative of any breakthrough in racial power or whatever...but then, I'm hardly even clear on what race or ethnic type she IS... (???) Does it matter? I don't care much about that anyway. She's human, right?