My question is... what kind of power has entertainment been given over people's lives that people are expected to be traumatized by the death of a fictional character? Growing up I read a lot of books - and whenever something in a fantasy/horror novel upset me - I didn't need consolation. All I had to do was remember it was a book that I picked up to be entertained. I was more upset when I saw books written badly (because trees were cut down to print it) than when I saw made-up characters killed. At the end of the day, is it so un-PC now to say "It's just a book"? Must I cry at sad movies or will I be considered cold if I'm sitting there analyzing the film for being 1-2 hours of flickering images designed to manipulate my emotions?

Of course here I'm questioning how vulnerable we are to media and why we aren't questioning that. Not really answering your musing, sorry! :)