OT-Robin Williams - Dead

[ZachS]

I was just telling my wife that I've never really cared about a celebrity death... until today.

[calvindog]

I never found him funny at all. Not once.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I never found him funny at all. Not once.

Jeff,

Why dismiss his entire body of work on the day of his passing? Just curious.

Best regards,

Eric

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Jeff,

Why dismiss his entire body of work on the day of his passing? Just curious.

Best regards,

Eric

He's a public figure and I am pretty certain his family isn't reading this. Just because I think he was unfunny does not mean I am making light of his suicide.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by calvindog

He's a public figure and I am pretty certain his family isn't reading this. Just because I think he was unfunny does not mean I am making light of his suicide.

Jeff,

I never thought (nor did I say) that you were making light of anything.

As for his family reading this, it is the Internet. Chances are good that they will eventually see this thread...someone close to them will send a link.

Nothing personal here...I simply believe that there is a time and place for everything. And this thread might not be the best place to air negativity (or a lack of humor found) regarding the recently departed or his work.

Just my two cents. And I do appreciate your reply.

Best regards,

Eric

[Fripples]

Everyone realizes that he killed himself, correct? He didn't just *die.* Like he would have woken up tomorrow, heart beating normally, all bodily functions working, not blind, not deaf, all his limbs attached, etc., had he not killed himself. No one seems to think that's a bit, oh I dunno...SELFISH?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Fripples

Everyone realizes that he killed himself, correct? He didn't just *die.* Like he would have woken up tomorrow, heart beating normally, all bodily functions working, not blind, not deaf, all his limbs attached, etc., had he not killed himself. No one seems to think that's a bit, oh I dunno...SELFISH?

Well, he was battling depression.

[TNP777]

Originally Posted by Fripples

Everyone realizes that he killed himself, correct? He didn't just *die.* Like he would have woken up tomorrow, heart beating normally, all bodily functions working, not blind, not deaf, all his limbs attached, etc., had he not killed himself. No one seems to think that's a bit, oh I dunno...SELFISH?

My initial reaction was to blast you. I want to call you ignorant (among other things), but it would be presumptuous of me to say that. Maybe it's just that you really don't understand what it feels like to think that you have no hope. That you have no one that you can turn to. That you don't matter.

Williams' death is tragic, at least to me. I don't have a particular emotional attachment to him, but I do know that a tremendously talented, beautiful life was cut short. It hurts to think that he found himself in a place where he felt he had no other option. Believe me, being selfish was the last thing on his mind.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by TNP777

Believe me, being selfish was the last thing on his mind.

Can't disagree with that.

[Fripples]

His life was cut short because he cut it short. Nuff said.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Fripples

His life was cut short because he cut it short. Nuff said.

Fripples,

So were the lives of many people, including some who played in the Major Leagues. Should we mourn their passing or lambast them after they're gone?

Best regards,

Eric

[ZachS]

Originally Posted by Fripples

Everyone realizes that he killed himself, correct? He didn't just *die.* Like he would have woken up tomorrow, heart beating normally, all bodily functions working, not blind, not deaf, all his limbs attached, etc., had he not killed himself. No one seems to think that's a bit, oh I dunno...SELFISH?

Either way you show a profound ignorance in regard to depression and suicide.

[ethicsprof]

sad, indeed.
my condolences to family, friends and fans.

Barry

[Fripples]

Nahh. The profound ignorance lies in people who wake up every day and focus on the "self." And not the good things about "the self." To be healthy and have all of the talents, blessings, and opportunities in this world (that a majority of will NEVER have) and squander that on alcohol or drugs, is IN MY OPINION, pathetic. Robin Williams was obsessed with his own self-induced inner demons. No one took him to the store and bought him vodka. No one took him to the store and bought him beer, wine, what have you. So, this "profound ignorance" lies in Robin Williams. I'd say that choosing -- key word is CHOOSING -- to drink yourself half to death, when you have limitless opportunities to get help, with a world of support behind you, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN WHO YOU WILL NEVER SEE HAVE CHILDREN BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEEM TO CONTROL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH, I'd say choosing to kill yourself falls under the category of "IGNORANCE." Maybe at the end of his life, his brain was so fried from abusing it, that he was too warped to get help. Having said that, no one did this to him. I'm sure his kids would agree.

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by Fripples

Nahh. The profound ignorance lies in people who wake up every day and focus on the "self." And not the good things about "the self." To be healthy and have all of the talents, blessings, and opportunities in this world (that a majority of will NEVER have) and squander that on alcohol or drugs, is IN MY OPINION, pathetic. Robin Williams was obsessed with his own self-induced inner demons. No one took him to the store and bought him vodka. No one took him to the store and bought him beer, wine, what have you. So, this "profound ignorance" lies in Robin Williams. I'd say that choosing -- key word is CHOOSING -- to drink yourself half to death, when you have limitless opportunities to get help, with a world of support behind you, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN WHO YOU WILL NEVER SEE HAVE CHILDREN BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEEM TO CONTROL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH, I'd say choosing to kill yourself falls under the category of "IGNORANCE." Maybe at the end of his life, his brain was so fried from abusing it, that he was too warped to get help. Having said that, no one did this to him. I'm sure his kids would agree.

EMPATHY FACTOR: ZERO

pathetic and sad all at once.

[TNP777]

In late 2012, former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ryan Freel took his own life. These were my thoughts then. Perhaps they provide context now.

As I sit down to write, I've got a bunch of thoughts running through my head. I hope I'm able to articulate properly what I'm processing right now, and I hope I don't ramble too much.

When I read or hear of someone taking their own life, it breaks my heart. I've grieved for friends, I've grieved for strangers, I'm grieving for Ryan Freel. I remember the 16-year-old son of a friend who hung himself with a belt and how I hurt for him and his family for so long. Being a fan of sports in general, I remember feeling so damn sad when I heard about Hireki Irabu and Junior Seau, as they were both close to my age. I think about the pain they had to have been feeling. I wonder who was in their lives that they could have reached out to, or whether they thought they were truly alone.

(redacted) said early on that Freel was a selfish motherXXXXer. While the language was harsh, there was some truth in the statement. From the point of view of those on the outside, it IS selfish. Loved ones are left wondering what they could have done, what they could have said. Maybe they regret the last thing they might have said to that person, thinking it might have tipped them over the edge. Everyone is left dealing with some level of pain and loss. So many things to process, and none of them positive.

Trouble is, the last thing on the mind of someone contemplating suicide is being selfish. It's simply about ending the pain, or ending what they feel is a hopeless situation, or having a sense of complete and utter worthlessness. See, I've been that guy. I was 17 years old when I made the attempt. I thought all of those things specifically, and probably more. I sometimes look back on that kid and sometimes ask myself if things were really so bad. In hindsight, no they weren't, but then I have the benefit of maturity and wisdom to see things far differently now than I saw them then.

I'm so, so thankful that I failed. All my attempt cost me was four days in the hospital; obviously it could have cost me so much more. As a result, I now get to share my story with those that care to listen. Maybe I can be the one that makes a small difference in someone's life. Hopefully I get the opportunity to tell someone that they DO matter, that they ARE loved, and their life is changed because of my experience.

There are those here that have no sympathy for folks who are suicidal, or have committed suicide. C'mon, nothing could be THAT bad. Sack up and stop being so weak - everyone has problems, after all. Me, I can't be so quick to judge. I may have been an immature kid, but I've done a little walking in those shoes. It's not so cut & dried. The pain is real, and the desire to just end it is often too hard to deny.

[Kenny Cole]

I am saddened by this loss. It happens all too often with people who are bipolar, which is a particular concern of mine since my oldest son is bipolar. I will say that I don't believe that "selfishness" had anything to do with what occurred and that in my opinion, those who believe differently either have no experience with those who are mentally ill, are mentally ill themselves, or are simply wholly lacking in empathy. If it is one of the first two, I feel sorry for you and hope that you get the treatment or education you need. If it is the third, fu@k you. Best,

Kenny Cole

[griffon512]

Originally Posted by TNP777

In late 2012, former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ryan Freel took his own life. These were my thoughts then. Perhaps they provide context now.

thanks for sharing your story TNP777. that took a huge amount of courage.