Lion's Daily Blurb - Mon., Tues., Nov. 24-25

[Lion]

I wasn't going to mention about the dude who committed suicide on the internet in full view of a large audience, but due to the amount of emails I received about it, I assume it's a hot topic, and also a sad one as well. I understand that some people actually encouraged him. In the society that we live in today, that doesn't surprise me. Somewhere in the United Kingdom this week, a 13 year old boy stabbed himself with a kitchen knife in front of his classmates, his girlfriend, and teacher. I understand he'll live, but I'm sure it left a lasting impression on those that had to witness the event. I personally have no interest in seeing anyone commit suicide, and would probably do all I could to talk them out of it. We'll probably be hearing about more of these types of incidents both on the net and off. I attribute it to the moral decay of humans as a whole, as in how we all treat our fellow man, and the fact that most of us don't take time to listen to those who may be in need and are shouting for help. We just don't hear. :sleep:

[zgtrman97]

Not to sound cold or indifferent about this..but people who commit suicide have given up on themselves and no amount of talking is going to avert them from it because they have already made up their minds. And a made up mind cannot be changed.

Personally there is nothing in this world that is bad enough to make me want to kill myself...I know there is a God who takes care of us all IF we ask him to.

People who dont believe in God have no need to reply to me..I have a made up mind. (please refer to first paragraph)

Cheers

[SirSnake]

Hmmm, found a linky (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1088992/Boy-13-stabs-stomach-classmates-dumped-girlfriend.html) but the first I heard of it was your post!

Guess I should read the news more often! Thats for the 13 year old UK boy, anyone got a link for the suicide? I havent read about that and cant seem to find a relevant news post.

[nilloC]

Not to sound cold or indifferent about this..but people who commit suicide have given up on themselves and no amount of talking is going to avert them from it because they have already made up their minds. And a made up mind cannot be changed.

Bah, that's wrong on about 15 different levels, none of which I'm going to take the time to discuss as I'm sure other members who have a different perspective may understand. Also... As you said, a made up mind cannot be changed (bollocks), but since this is your argument I'm applying to you, there is absolutely no need to actually argue my point.

Anyways, the internet works in mysterious ways. The internet provides an odd barrier in which psychological connections are often severed; unless one is around for a long length of time with others and a relationship is built, the internet is often a cold, stale environment. But we all know this.

It is extremely tragic, but I'd be surprised if this were the first instances of this ever happening. In any way, I'm sure it was unfortunately going to happen sooner or later?

[zgtrman97]

Bah, that's wrong on about 15 different levels, none of which I'm going to take the time to discuss as I'm sure other members who have a different perspective may understand. Also... As you said, a made up mind cannot be changed (bollocks), but since this is your argument I'm applying to you, there is absolutely no need to actually argue my point.

Anyways, the internet works in mysterious ways. The internet provides an odd barrier in which psychological connections are often severed; unless one is around for a long length of time with others and a relationship is built, the internet is often a cold, stale environment. But we all know this.

It is extremely tragic, but I'd be surprised if this were the first instances of this ever happening. In any way, I'm sure it was unfortunately going to happen sooner or later?

Actually I have experience in this area..I have had friends who have committed suicide and my own daughter attempted it and failed...only because I caught it in time and got her to a hospital.
Point of order.. it is not the first time this has happened because of a internet related incident..think on Everquest.

I agree that the internet is a cold environment...but people should not put themselves in it to the point where they do not know the difference between reality and fantasy.
I would go into the reason that I said what I said but there would be a never ending discussion about beliefs and existance of such things or not. Sufficeth to say that there is more at work here than just the internet...the internet is just a vehicle..it has no feelings or soul therefore it cannot think for itself or make decisions.

And I stated that I had a made up mind about God.. I do have an open mind to others points and points of view. I am not close minded to the point where I will not listen to and ponder others opinions.

[Mpdabunny]

Sick, and sad. Unfortunately it's the same type of thing that's been called "entertainment" and presented in movies and on television, for many many years. Just look at incredibly successful movies like "Saw" where the plot is basically about a guy making people dismember themselves while they're alive, while you "watch". Look at the forms of entertainment presented to people, and the decline of empathy and decency is pretty damn evident. Before I get jumped over this I'm not in any way trying to blame movies and television for these things, but they do a damn good job at desensitizing us to the point where when we hear something like this it just doesn't bring about the response it should.

I might have been effected by this more had I already not known of the existence of websites and the like that have in the past not only encouraged it, but basically given step by step instructions.

[WNxAnthrax]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,456866,00.html

About the 13yr old boy. Kinda sick but doesn't suprise me.

[wthigon]

Damn. This is sad. Yet I have done this before in an attempt of self-assurance that my wife, then girlfriend actually cared about me. Turned out she did...:|

[Slapper]

Speaking as a parent, of 4 kids and grandkids, it is sad.

It speaks to me about how this kid got so lost from his family and what kind of parents let their kids slip so far into depression or let them lose themselves on the net for hours on end daily, with noone paying attention.

The net is regulated in my home to Dad: when he wants to. Kids: an hour or 2 each, every 2 days, and that is only if the homework is done, the rooms are clean and the chores are done. No way are they allowed to go on the net unwatched, unregulated or for a whole day. This is part of the reason this tragedy happened. Parents, dont give in to the demands for privacy and rights. When they live on their own, pay for the net, the puter and are out of your home, then they may do as they wish, thats how i run it and my kids are much better off for it. They would argue otherwise, but they all pull straight A's and never get in trouble at school or with the law and we are a tight family, where everyone is important and no problem they may have is ignored.

The puters in my house are in the den where we can all see them. Except mine and the wifes, they are in the office, where we both work.

Keep an eye on your kids and make their problems yours and work them out or give advice, support them. But, never ever let them feel alone or let them despair. This is how this happened, a lazy ass parent who couldnt be arsed to be a real parent or check up on the kid. It isnt the kids fault in my book, he dealt with it the only way he thought he could, the parents failed.

[ein1017]

It isnt the kids fault in my book, he dealt with it the only way he thought he could, the parents failed.

Well personally I think it is still the partially the kids fault since he had the choice whether to do it or not. Not saying it is an easy thing to do but the choice is still there. I can't blame the parents yet because I don't know how much they tried. Maybe they did the best that they could or maybe they even helped push him over the edge. Also friends are another key factor to consider.

[Korona]

The internet is full of attention seeking egomaniacs making far more outrageous claims that they never intend to be called out on. I can see why people wouldn't have taken him seriously. In the reports they say people were encouraging him, but are we sure they weren't just calling his bluff? In a medium where even threats of murder become simply a form of insult, is it really surprising people didn't take a threat of suicide seriously?

I think the tragedy is that many good support groups of people feeling suicidal do exist. He picked the wrong place to make his cry for help.

[Slapper]

Well, id argue that one.

The parents? Where where they? To me, the kid had the net to himself with no supervision. You can only blame the parents for that. Noone else. I got 3 teenagers at home man, i DO NOT allow them puters and the net in their rooms, its called supervision. A parents responsibility, noone elses. A good parent knows that these days, the net is not something that a teenager should have with no supervision. They argue with me about it, i dont listen and will never. I love my kids and i make sure the door is always open for discussion or debate, but...... this subject is one that is off limits, and they know it. Just because of things like this, i dont allow it, and this is just 1 example of the bad **** that can happen right? No way Jose... Period. I also have a 15 year old daughter in this mix of 3 teens, you can figure that one out for yourself why not. Privacy does not trump caring and protecting. When my kids pay their own bills, live and work, and take care of themselves, they are welcome to it. Not under my roof. That kids parents regardless, blew the call. No way around it. End of.

As far as that child feeling this was the way to deal with it and he had a choice? i know more than 1 kid who's killed themselves, i could probably say with a great degree of certainty, they felt they had noone to turn to. If you cannot talk to your parents about anything, then they failed already. Im not a perfect parent, but my kids know they can talk to me about anything{ except the net thing, lol} Theres a tendency today, for parents to be friends to your kids. Your not their friend, your their parents. You can find a spot in between, but if you care about them, you will have to say and do things they will not like nor agree with, but that is what being a parent is about.

If the kid felt he had a choice, then he would be alive today. If your left on your own at his age to face what you think are insurmountable problems alone and the parents ignore it, or dont give 2 ****s, then this is the end result. That being said, there are a few more things which could have contributed to it, he may have already has mental health issues among other things, but to me, it smells strongly of ignorance by his parents. No way that would happen in most of my familys kids or people i know, we dont ignore the signs. That simple, be a good parent, pay attention to your kids and ask questions. Anything less, your failing them.

Now i recall when i was a kid, this kind of thing happened, but ofc not broadcasted on the net, but a few kids i knew did this, it was usually about a relationship gone bad , BF/GF breakups, and again, their parents ignored the signs and this was the end result. i cant stress it enough.

I see by what i read here, a lot of you are young, with no kids and not married and are exactly the age or a little higher than this kid. This is what a parent who cares talks like, one who doesnt would not bother posting. Not all of you are young like him, but when your a parent and you have teenagers, what im saying might become a little clearer to you then.

My oldest is now 24 with 2 kids of his own, about a year ago, he and I sat watching a hockey game on a saturday night, he turns to me and says" You know Dad, all those things you taught me, all those times i argued with you about everything and gave you a hard time, well, im sorry about that, and i realize now it was for my own good and that you kept us on a leash as far as some things go until we grew up and left the house for a reason, its because you cared and i thank you for it, your a good Dad and we love you for it"

You can imagine, ive had some good times in my life, this was pretty much the best night ive ever had, hearing this from him. Cant argue that one at all.

Had that kids parents set boundaries and rules about the net, it would have never been an issue to start with, as far as having an audience goes anyways.

[Thumper]

Mister Joe Has No Sympathy For This Person.