Galt's Gulch

Suicide

Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 8 months ago to Culture
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Recently one of the funniest comedians ever, Robin Williams, committed suicide. In AS, quite a few people committed suicide. I can never support suicide. However, is suicide a logical response to an illogical world? If so, please explain.

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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 9 years, 8 months ago
    Hello jbrenner,
    I just heard a report that Robin was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/peopl...
    Still I am fortunate to have never felt the urge to contemplate the final solution. I have never understood how one can find themselves with so little hope when one cannot foresee the future. No matter how bad things seem today, tomorrow may bring a completely different perspective and in the case of a malady a potential cure. Imagine what light one may bring to others while they yet live and what a shame it may be to miss the opportunity to be a positive inspiration. Yet, there is always in the back of my mind the thought that I do not walk in another's shoes, so I cannot condemn unconditionally.
    Respectfully,
    O.A.
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    • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 8 months ago
      I heard the same story today, too. My perspective is exactly the same as yours, O.A. As for Parkinson's disease, that protein misfolding disorder and others (like Alzheimer's) are just now starting to be understood. One of my colleagues has made some nice progress on understanding how Alzheimer's works. I've co-advised several of his students.
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      • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 9 years, 8 months ago
        My maternal Grandmother lived to a ripe old age, but died of Alzheimer's over a decade ago. She was an entrepreneur and an inspiration, but a treatment did not arrive in time for her. That is the way of the world. There will be a cure one day and some will be saved, but no one knows just when. I am the eldest living with my surname. This is not exactly comforting, but I do not dwell upon it. So far I have no serious concerns and have been living a wonderful life. I intend to go on doing so! I will " ...not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light...." Dylan Thomas
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  • Posted by crystalquartz 9 years, 8 months ago
    Just to let people know; Parkinson's is strongly related to taking anti depressants, and other new anti anxiety drugs.
    However Parkinson's is not linked to good old morphine drugs; but no money is made from these old drugs.
    The doctor will tell you it is because of addiction.
    But try taking a modern antidepressant and quitting all at once, cold turkey.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 9 years, 8 months ago
    At risk of engendering even more hostility, I'm compelled to share an alternate theory of the crime.

    Two of my co-workers, independent of me, thought of the same alternate possibility for Robin Williams' death.... death by misadventure (accident).

    Based on the description of how he was found, it still seems possible that he died as a result of auto-erotic asphyxiation.

    I find it ironic that, if true, it would be better to describe it as a suicide for his memory's sake and the sake of his family.

    One of my co-workers told me of a movie Robin Williams had made "The World's Greatest Dad". I hadn't seen it, but apparently Williams plays the father of a man who died of auto-erotic asphyxiation.

    Who knows, maybe the near-asphyxiation was a way to deal with his manic episodes (with nothing to do with the sexual part).

    Part of me, the part that liked him, doesn't want to know if this was the case. The other part wants to know the truth, no matter how ugly.
    These two parts seldom play well together.
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