Processing the passing of Prince

It's been a month since Prince died and it's still difficult to accept as reality. What's been a real surprise has been learning just how popular he was/is with so many people who would be considered "mainstream". I knew he had a devoted worldwide following but I always thought he was sort of an acquired taste, a niche artist. somebody you were either really into or didn't care for. I based some of that on how some people would react when I expressed that I was a fan. What happened to all the people who used to call me a fag?!?

Beyond that, it's not surprising that other artists like Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney would pay respect via performed tributes. But the guy who plowed a Prince symbol into his corn field?

Who knew 75-year-old farmers would be Prince fans?

"Well, I reckon that the blurring of traditional gender roles and the playful, coltish sexuality expressed in songs like 'Little Red Corvette' and 'Do Me, Baby' are two things I admire most about the feller."

There have been tributes of all kind all over the world! Spontaneous dance parties! 

Even idiots are weighing in...

That may seem harsh and judgmental, but people who disseminate knowledge via internet memes are idiots. Sorry.

I don't dispute the "genius" label (I'm a fan, after all) but I'm positive a broke 12-year-old in Minneapolis did not foresee the athletic shoe boom. Nor did a 24-year-old musician who was just starting to enjoy some commercial success predict that one certain, specific college basketball player would play a major role in making that happen.

Poor idiots. I understand. It's hard to handle.