What Michael Jackson and Genashtim Have in Common
Written by Hema Krishnan
“I don’t read all the things written about me. I wasn’t aware that the world thought I was so weird and bizarre.”
These are Michael Jackson’s famous words about himself. It was a time when the King of Pop underwent appearance-altering surgeries, tattoos, depigmentation treatments, and faced allegations of misconduct. When he went out, he always wore full-sleeved clothing and masks, while an umbrella constantly shielded him.
He looked unreal. His actions? Even more so.
The media was vicious. He was called “Wacko Jacko,” “a monster,” and was accused of being ashamed of being black.
Michael Jackson even said, “You’ve got to have a rhinoceros’ skin to deal with that kind of mentality.”
In Time, the Truth Surfaced
After Michael Jackson’s demise in 2009, the rise of the Information Age, and the release of his biopic, “Michael,” in 2026, Michael Jackson went from being seen as “weird and bizarre” to “misunderstood and special.”
The alterations to his skin color and face are now attributed to vitiligo – a skin condition that leaves white patches on the skin. His autoimmune disease, lupus, which affected his skin and tolerance to sunlight, is discussed on social media, explaining his fully covered appearance in public during the day.
In the era of social media, where ordinary people hold storytelling and investigative power, Michael Jackson was redeemed. He has become one of the most beloved figures in modern history. People say he embodies the Gen Z term “aura farming.”
This is the current prevailing sentiment about Michael Jackson: “People don’t dislike Michael Jackson. They dislike the narrative the media has made up about him.”
Sometimes, Those Thought to Be “Weird and Bizarre” Change the World
There are many like Michael Jackson:
- Gustave Eiffel: Many people hated the Eiffel Tower at first, calling it ugly and useless. Today, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
- Nikola Tesla: His ideas were considered too strange and futuristic during his lifetime. Years later, his inventions shaped modern electricity and technology.
- Vincent van Gogh: He sold almost no paintings while alive and struggled with criticism. Today, he’s one of the most celebrated artists in history.
- Galileo Galilei: He was punished for supporting the idea that Earth revolves around the Sun. Centuries later, science proved him right.
- Alan Turing: Once overlooked and mistreated, he is now recognized as one of the fathers of modern computing and AI.
- Walt Disney: He was once told he “lacked imagination.” Later, he built one of the world’s most influential entertainment empires.
The “Weird and Bizarre” Story of Genashtim
The world has always been uncomfortable with people and ideas that do not fit neatly into what society considers “normal.” But sometimes, the very things dismissed as unrealistic, strange, or impossible are the ones that quietly reshape the future. Genashtim’s journey is one of them.
When Thomas Ng conceptualized and founded Genashtim in 2008 based on a remote work model and employing people with disabilities (PWDs) – there was more skepticism than support.
- “How would a company operate without a physical office?”
- “Are PWDs reliable workers?”
- “Can the company survive in the long term?”
In its formative years, the “weird and bizarre” company that operated on the cloud, powered by disabled employees working from their homes, barely kept its head above water. Thomas had to use his own funds to keep the company afloat.
Often, Genashtim’s PWD employees are also thought to be “weird and bizarre” by those around them. Society is used to pitying PWDs rather than viewing them as capable humans with dignity.
Genashtim sailed through some rough times, surviving while still being doubted even after receiving the prestigious B Corp certification in 2015. Yet, the for-profit social enterprise quietly persisted, waiting for a major breakthrough.
The Canon Event That Changed Everything
The canon event that overturned Michael Jackson’s media-created image was his biopic and the social media discussions that followed. For Genashtim, it was the COVID-19 pandemic.
As humanity plunged into nationwide lockdowns, remote work became the new normal. All of a sudden, everything went online. Top companies that once rejected remote work because it was “too difficult” moved heaven and earth to enable employees to work from home.
Because it was an ultimatum: either create the opportunity to work from home or cease operations.
Genashtim’s e-learning solutions business picked up, and the company began to profit while embedding sustainability and purpose deeper into its DNA. Recognition of remote work and its feasibility accelerated.
And Genashtim hasn’t looked back since.
It went from being “misunderstood” to “mainstream.”
The business expanded from e-learning solutions to ESG services. Today, more than 200 employees from various disadvantaged backgrounds work across 41 countries worldwide. Genashtim’s direction and identity are further consolidated in its new logo, incorporating the North Star.
Lesson Learned
Time is unstoppable, and the changes that come with it are inevitable. Understanding and acceptance aren’t immediate; they are gradual.
If you are being dismissed for having an idea or doing something differently, keep working on it. Build your skills. Devise new ways. Keep at it.
Success belongs to those who are “weird and bizarre.” In time.
Legends like Wacko Jacko taught us well.
