There are essential questions, that arise the second a member of our community decides to end everything. Questions like: Are we too harsh? If the answer is yes, then the next question, the issue of guilt, comes to mind.Are we guilty of driving members into a realm where they cannot defend themselves anymore?
We can look for very specific cases, like Kevin's case. Or we look for a very broad scope.
Personally I have to shy away from the details and look everywhere at the same time. Never lose the whole picture!
And the first question from a wide point of view needs to be reevaluated. Are we too harsh? The answer is "No". We are the product of a community that is all, but being honest! If we were honest, harshness would not be an issue.
And I wish I would have the ability to put into proper words what is in my mind.
PS: Will the Magic Cafe Moderators finally grow some and leave the thread online? Or will they chicken out of any honest discussion as they have done some many times? We could use more honesty guys. And sometimes flames hurt. And sometimes that is a good thing. Grow up!
http://www.humormeetscomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/honesty.jpg
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't get it. I saw the 'obituary' label, but what exactly happened?
ReplyDeletehere is the thread. The MC seems to do the right thing for once. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=505419&forum=3&59
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roland.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the emotional reaction, suicide has been in the top ten causes of death in the US for some time. This is from the CDC:
ReplyDeleteHeart disease: 597,689
Cancer: 574,743
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859
Alzheimer's disease: 83,494
Diabetes: 69,071
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476
Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097
Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364
It's not going to go away. It would actually be surprising if you didn't know of someone who took their own life. I can think of three.
Thank you Roland for publishing this tribute.
DeleteThis suicide is more than a statistic. Kevin was a member of a closed community where some members chose to shame his illness by telling him to "grow up" and that he was lacking talent. Look at some of his videos and tell us you are better.
Here is some of Kevins videos from YouTube.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/user/Fishsticks911/videos
Yeah I've seen the videos before. His MP was a thing of beauty.
ReplyDeleteKevin was someone I spoke to on more than a few occasions since he started magic in 2006. He was always a perfectionist, practicing constantly and had big dreams of competing in FISM and becoming a big name in coin magic.
ReplyDeleteThis news has upset me very much.
RIP Kevin,
LH
Oh if only we had all of the facts. I seriously doubt he offed himself because of some close-minded asshats on a magic forum.
ReplyDeleteI knew a musician in TX whose band was doing well, moving up, and alla that. Then on NYE some girl broke up with him and apparently that was that. Success and talent is not enough to keep the demons at bay sometimes.