Burt Reynolds passed away today – on the very date of this recording, preceded of course by the legendary Queen of Soul and renowned U.S. Senator, John McCain. Today we explore the stark contrast of how grief unfolds in the public sphere by very public people in comparison to how personal grief unfolds in the same kind of public sphere (if we count social media as being the equivalent). This idea might have begun with the closely-timed collective losses of Aretha Franklin, John McCain – and most recently Burt Reynolds. It was in the public sphere where we watched the influential pay their respects, while also airing their grievances.  Private citizens, however, appear to their mourning and remembrance – in public spaces much differently. Grief is not a politically minded space – is it? It’s just us.