Related to David Bowie

One day in class he listened to this song: Lazarus, by David Bowie.

Lyrics: Lazarus

Look up here, I’m in heaven

I’ve got scars that can’t be seen

I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen

Everybody knows me now

Look up here, man, I’m in danger

I’ve got nothing left to lose

I’m so high it makes my brain whirl

Dropped my cell phone down below

Ain’t that just like me

By the time I got to New York

I was living like a king

Then I used up all my money

I was looking for your ass

This way or no way

You know, I’ll be free

Just like that bluebird

Now ain’t that just like me

Oh I’ll be free

Just like that bluebird

Oh I’ll be free

Ain’t that just like me

This is clearly a farewell to the world, or not? Well, after hearing this song, we had to think about why is death taboo in the occidental culture.

Maybe death is a taboo in the western culture because our religions have never defined clearly what is death. It's wellknown that the humankind is afraid of the unknown. It's true that Christianity, the most influential religion here, tells a lot about it, but I think not as clear as other cultures, and what christianism tells about death is basically about the hell, so, what did people feel about death but fear? Almost no people could die without fear after reading and believing Dante Alighieri's Inferno. And what is the easiest reaction in front of a big fear? Ignore it, of course. If it doesn't exists it won't hurt you. And this is what I think about why death is taboo in the western culture.