Many of us in the West are becoming more and more disconnected from the tv phenomenon with the advent of the internet (thankfully!), and so aren't as prone to that sort of brainwashing about public figures.

You call it brainwashing. I call it exposure. It is only brainwashing if you allow it to be. And I don't believe that the media is responsible for brainwashing. In that case explain the birth of christianity.

You may be becoming more disconnected to tv world due to internet, but now you are discussing the very same stories on the internet instead? Same crap, different media.

People have always worshipped at the church of the holy flash bulb. And will continue to do so. That these people have more visible icons to worship, and therefore more visible icon's deaths to mark their passing of, is logical?