Althouse: "The desire to become 'tragic heroes' on the internet."

January 24, 2008

"The desire to become 'tragic heroes' on the internet."

"Suicide had become a cool thing in our area."

10 comments:

KCFleming said...: This happened before the internet. I have mentioned before how this exact same copycat suicide thing happened in Omaha in the early 1980s when I was in college.

There are many responses to make.
But the one that works is hard. It involves ignoring and or shaming the suicides. Anything else feeds the frenzy, and it can become a frenzy.

Shut down the web pages involved.
No school memorials.
Criticize the suicidal act.
No mass school counseling after a suicide.; 1/24/08, 9:46 AM
former law student said...: This site has been around for some years now. The kids I know just laugh at it: http://www.mydeathspace.com/article-list.aspx; 1/24/08, 9:48 AM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1/24/08, 10:17 AM
goesh said...: - drag their rotting bodies to the tryouts for American Idol; 1/24/08, 10:36 AM
paul a'barge said...: this is called progress.

How many of these mutts have previously committed mass murders and then committed suicide.

Once we get them committing suicide first, we're making real progress.

Keep it up.; 1/24/08, 11:30 AM
Smilin' Jack said...: Maybe they're not tragic heroes but they should at least get Darwin Awards.; 1/24/08, 12:15 PM
froggyprager said...: I caught most of a Frontline last night on kids on-line and one part was about a kid who was bullied on-line and then discussed suicide with a friend on-line, learned how to do it and then did it at 13! Growing up Online
good program:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/
part of the message of the show was that the problems of kids are magnfied significantly magnified and made worse via the Internet. sad scary stuff.; 1/24/08, 2:13 PM
Smilin' Jack said...: I caught most of a Frontline last night on kids on-line and one part was about a kid who was bullied on-line and then discussed suicide....

Sheesh, I wish the only bullies I met growing up were online. I can kick Chuck Norris's ass online. In fact, I'll take on Chuck, Sly and Arnold anytime, online. Bring it on, pussies!; 1/24/08, 2:23 PM
blake said...: Yes. Great big scary.

(Warning: Gratuitous self-linking.); 1/25/08, 12:46 AM
froggyprager said...: ha ha smillin' jack- you should share your comments with the kid's parents. The kid in the show who killed himself was actually bullied on line and at school.; 1/25/08, 3:31 PM