Faith fafaithfafaith

This year deserves some deep reflection. What a contrasting and confusing mix of political upheaval, societal polarisation, splintering ideologies and celebrity deaths.

The final kick in the face is George Michael's death. A man whose talent and ability to bring entertainment were overshadowed by whatever perceived flaws the media chose to publicise.

I hope the world reflects on the fact that it simply doesn't matter what someone chooses to get up to in a bathroom with another consenting adult. That particular media storm was certainly not the root of all of George Michael's problems yet the intense speculation that he faced for decades about his personal life would have contributed to whatever mental health and drug use problems he faced in later life. Although we don't know yet the reasons for his untimely death there is no doubt about that statement. As a New Year's resolution, one small act we can make in 2017 is to avoid looking at judgmental and intrusive media clickbait as one small act of defiance against hurtful and unnecessary coverage of people's lives. If stories about famous people's personal lives are seen as vacuous and pointless rather than pivotal information for people to absorb, it will surely help those people live a more stable life.