Media Minded: A Picture Worth 700 Comments

I've always been interested in the "a picture is worth a thousand words" concept, and every now and then there's one that really captivates me.

Exhibit A:

Left: John and Yoko's iconic Annie Leibovitz photoshoot on Dec. 8, 1980
Right: Sean Lennon's re-enactment with girlfriend, 2009

Ever since this pictorial homage made the rounds earlier this month, there has been tons of feedback, including more than 700 comments on The Huffington Post alone. Some of the words being tossed around are "cheap," "anti-feminist," "nice try," "not as special," "bad career move," "nothing shocking," "a tasteful homage," "art." Even people who supposedly hate the new photo are tripping over one another to comment on it. It's amazing!

The most debated thing is why Sean is clothed when his father wasn't. Why is Sean lying flat on his back instead of in the fetal position? Is it a statement? Is he saying he is unlike his father? Is he saying he identifies more with his mother? Is he simply too shy to take off his clothes? What do you think -- what's the symbolism, or is there any at all?

As for the original, Leibovitz herself said of her photograph:

John said, "You've captured our relationship exactly. Promise me it'll be on the cover." I looked him in the eye and we shook on it.