[2bigears]

   nobody should pass on judgement. let him be.  RIP you funny funny Man.....

[Letitroll98]

At least we won't have to worry about them coming out with a "Patch Adams 2"! 

It's sad to see another celebrity selfishly take his own life.  The impact on the family is devastating and I can't imagine a more selfish act.

I heard today that he has four movies completed waiting for release and one was Mrs Doubtfire 2.  No idea of the veracity of the report.

I agree jackman that it is a terribly selfish act, however outweighed by the shared compassion and grief we have for someone so tortured.  It's reserved for family and close friends to judge the selfishness, we as the public don't get to make that call, at least not publicly.  It's a matter of decorum and good taste to keep those thoughts private during the grieving period, no matter that you are of course correct.  After a reasonable time has passed I think it's okay to discuss suicide being a selfish act that destroys families.

[2bigears]

    the crumbling difference between right and wrong ,,   as they sang.  Good Lord.   

[Bob in St. Louis]

[bentconvert]

http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish

[guf]

http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish

great share. thanks!

[Guy 13]

http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish

Thanks bentconvert.
Very good link.
My younger brother (50 years old) and my ex-business partner (55 years old)
both had committed suicide.
Both were depressive, for more or less the same reason.
My brother had 4 brothers and 4 sisters, a girl friend, no mother and father.
My ex-partner had two brothers, one sister, no father and mother and an ex-girl friend.
I cannot and will never say their were selfish.
My brother's girl friend left him, because he threatened some mafia guys
and the mafia said they would kill him, that's why his girl friend left him she did not want to die
in a blown up car.
My ex business partner, after three divorces and a girl friend that left him,
said that at his age it was too difficult to live alone and to find a girl friend or wife,
so he hang himself in his garage.
My brother got drunk and started his Audi in a closed garage.
Both had their reasons, good or bad, I will say that even if it sad,
it's their choice to solve their problems with death.
Did you know that sometimes I think for one second (No more) that hanging myself
would solve all my ($$$) problems.
But I cannot do that to my wife and the persons that love me
and most important, I say to myself: I will take a chance and live,
maybe my problems will go away by magic or by my wife winning the Lottery Jack Pot.
Please don't worry about my, I have not yet found a strong enough rope.
It might be a (Absurd) joke, but it's a serious joke.
(Louis from Omega, wrote once that I make absurd jokes...)
Sorry for my disturbing joke, but AC for me is a family
and I share everything with my AC family.

Guy 13 on boring planet Vietnam.
 
   

[Rob Babcock]

I think every sane intelligent person at least considers suicide at one time or another.  But those suffering from depression, bipolar disorders, etc. have a burden that the rest of us simply can't understand.  By depression I don't mean someone that's bummed out; we're talking a severe form of mental illness.  It really is an issue of chemical imbalance in the brain.  But doctors don't really understand the brain well enough to effectively treat it.  They basically try this chemical key, see if that shaped molecule will help, so on and so forth.

Of course, even when the meds "work" they're not a panacea.  Oftentimes meds will "level" someone's personalities.  The super low lows are gone but so are the highs.  Depression drugs can make you feel like someone pulled your mind out of your body, rotated it 25 degrees out of phase and stuck it back in.  They often complain of feeling "zoned out" or like a zombie, or sometimes like a spectator in their own body.  So you're damned if you and damned if you don't.  Life can be untenable without drugs and unpleasant with them.

I don't think it's really fair to say Williams was selfish at all. First off, if you don't have the right to your own life, what can you possibly be said to own?  As Schopenhauer said, to go on as a machine for others to use when you no longer wish to live for yourself is an extravagant expectation.  Beyond that we can't know what he was dealing with.  To an average person suicide is permanent solution to a temporary problem. But what if the problem isn't temporary at all?  It appears that Robin Williams suffered his entire life, with perhaps no end in sight.

I've seen mental illness, particularly depression, up close.  It's terrifying beyond explanation.  Dealing with a suicidally depressed loved one is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

[Guy 13]

I think every sane intelligent person at least considers suicide at one time or another.  But those suffering from depression, bipolar disorders, etc. have a burden that the rest of us simply can't understand.  By depression I don't mean someone that's bummed out; we're talking a severe form of mental illness.  It really is an issue of chemical imbalance in the brain.  But doctors don't really understand the brain well enough to effectively treat it.  They basically try this chemical key, see if that shaped molecule will help, so on and so forth.

Of course, even when the meds "work" they're not a panacea.  Oftentimes meds will "level" someone's personalities.  The super low lows are gone but so are the highs.  Depression drugs can make you feel like someone pulled your mind out of your body, rotated it 25 degrees out of phase and stuck it back in.  They often complain of feeling "zoned out" or like a zombie, or sometimes like a spectator in their own body.  So you're damned if you and damned if you don't.  Life can be untenable without drugs and unpleasant with them.

I don't think it's really fair to say Williams was selfish at all. First off, if you don't have the right to your own life, what can you possibly be said to own?  As Schopenhauer said, to go on as a machine for others to use when you no longer wish to live for yourself is an extravagant expectation.  Beyond that we can't know what he was dealing with.  To an average person suicide is permanent solution to a temporary problem. But what if the problem isn't temporary at all?  It appears that Robin Williams suffered his entire life, with perhaps no end in sight.

I've seen mental illness, particularly depression, up close.  It's terrifying beyond explanation.  Dealing with a suicidally depressed loved one is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Hi Rob.
Well written.
Especially this sentence.
{{ To an average person suicide is permanent solution to a temporary problem. }}

Guy 13
 

[thunderbrick]

I've seen mental illness, particularly depression, up close.  It's terrifying beyond explanation.  Dealing with a suicidally depressed loved one is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

+1! 

[fredgarvin]

At least we won't have to worry about them coming out with a "Patch Adams 2"! 

It's sad to see another celebrity selfishly take his own life.  The impact on the family is devastating and I can't imagine a more selfish act.

Yes, suicide is a selfish act, there is no doubt. And it will effect his loved ones their whole lives. But, it is to be noted that the depression that leads to that selfish act is an illness that does not eternally lend itself to rational selflessness. There is no reason to sugar coat it, true, but there is plenty of compassion available for all of mus to try and understand the bad decision.

[jackman]

Yes, suicide is a selfish act, there is no doubt. And it will effect his loved ones their whole lives. But, it is to be noted that the depression that leads to that selfish act is an illness that does not eternally lend itself to rational selflessness. There is no reason to sugar coat it, true, but there is plenty of compassion available for all of mus to try and understand the bad decision.

 

[guf]

jimmy fallon's well done tribute. http://digg.com/video/jimmy-fallon-pays-tribute-to-robin-williams

[macrojack]

To the person who is driven to take his/her own life suicide does not seem to be a bad decision. I would submit that to someone who reaches that level of desperation, it is the only decision.

I never met Robin Williams. I only know him through the artificial filtering that dominates the life and appearance of any celebrity. I don't presume to know his mind or his reasons. He was, by all accounts including some of his own, an inwardly tormented soul. In some ways I suspect I can relate to his disappointment. I think he wanted to make the world a better place -- and I think he succeeded in certain ways, but I can imagine the futility of beating his head against an empty headed populace and a money grubbing corporate media structure must have taken its toll. George Carlin hinted at the same frustration. David Chapelle probably walked away before it was too late. After all, to be so insightful about society and so sensitive and adept at showing us our foibles takes a genius. Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor are other examples. I'm sure I am overlooking many more.

I think it is dimwitted, insensitive and cruel to call someone like that selfish. These people dedicate their lives to opening our eyes and helping us to see ourselves as we are so that we can take that info and apply it to making our lives and those around us a little better. To me they stand as heroes. Maybe we could see them as martyrs if we weren't so judgmental. Songwriters who deliver similarly seem to fare better for the most part. For comedians, death often comes prematurely.

Is there anyone here who knows first hand what Robin Williams was like or are you just guessing like I am?

[guf]

Is there anyone here who knows first hand what Robin Williams was like or are you just guessing like I am?

Without breaking my anonymity or anyone else... yes I live in SF and I spend a lot of time in Marin, the county where he lived and was active in the community and fellowship. I know he very recently reached out to people I am close with. He was doing the right things. He was sober, and after years of struggling with depression, drugs and alcohol he could of killed himself in a different way....by returning drinking and drugs. That could of potentially caused much more pain and harm to people close to him. In my community it is tremendously painful and sad because we all felt close to him. I don't have any personal experience with depression in my own mind and body but I do very much understand the concept of powerlessness over illnesses and I get very defensive when people make judgments based what they think they know.   

It's like if I did a speaker review based on what others said without actually ever hearing the speaker. Would you guys believe me? NO! So maybe all the people with opinions on selfishness in regards suicide and depression should should start their own thread .

[brother love]

It appears that Robin Williams was in early stages of Parkinson's:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-robin-williams-wife-parkinsons-20140814-story.html

Robin Williams was such a comedic genius.  It is so sad to see these gifted people (Heath Ledger, Philip Seymour Hoffman also come to mind) that have a fire that burns so bright & intensely hot, then flames out. I am grateful for what they gave us, regardless.

Many of the comments here seem to be so harsh. Walk a mile in another mans shoes before you judge them.

[werd]

I think every sane intelligent person at least considers suicide at one time or another.  But those suffering from depression, bipolar disorders, etc. have a burden that the rest of us simply can't understand.  By depression I don't mean someone that's bummed out; we're talking a severe form of mental illness.  It really is an issue of chemical imbalance in the brain.  But doctors don't really understand the brain well enough to effectively treat it.  They basically try this chemical key, see if that shaped molecule will help, so on and so forth.

Of course, even when the meds "work" they're not a panacea.  Oftentimes meds will "level" someone's personalities.  The super low lows are gone but so are the highs.  Depression drugs can make you feel like someone pulled your mind out of your body, rotated it 25 degrees out of phase and stuck it back in.  They often complain of feeling "zoned out" or like a zombie, or sometimes like a spectator in their own body.  So you're damned if you and damned if you don't.  Life can be untenable without drugs and unpleasant with them.

I don't think it's really fair to say Williams was selfish at all. First off, if you don't have the right to your own life, what can you possibly be said to own?  As Schopenhauer said, to go on as a machine for others to use when you no longer wish to live for yourself is an extravagant expectation.  Beyond that we can't know what he was dealing with.  To an average person suicide is permanent solution to a temporary problem. But what if the problem isn't temporary at all?  It appears that Robin Williams suffered his entire life, with perhaps no end in sight.

I've seen mental illness, particularly depression, up close.  It's terrifying beyond explanation.  Dealing with a suicidally depressed loved one is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Its the epitome of bad decision making resulting from uncontrolled impulsive behaviour. Suicidal people have reenacted their demise many times before actually committing it.  Its usually at a point of uncontrolled impulse they actually do it.  Their mental condition gives them reason to do it.

If you can take away their re enacted method they it will stop their impulse to commit.

There was a study in Scandinavia that demonstrated this. They took a bridge common for suicides and netted it up. IT took away the ability to jump. After this suicides went down. It showed that people who were using that bridge were not prepared to overdose or use a firearm.  Their suicide method was taken away which controlled the impulse. Its not a treatment but only demonstrates how impulsive behaviour contributes to suicide.

[charmerci]

The best Robin Williams' acted movie for me was an obscure one done for PBS. It's called Seize the Day. (Yeah and it came out about the time of Dead Poets Society too.) Heavy and very serious but maybe it wasn't acting for him now that I think about it.

Suicide - selfish? Maybe but when the source of the pain comes from inside and cures don't come no matter what you do - you just don't know how it can ever go away unless you get rid of the source - somewhere deep inside that can't be located. It hurts - it hurts so much - it's not physical pain but it's still pain that just doesn't go away. It just won't go away. 

[JerryM]

Read what they have to say, then watch the video. Pretty touching. 

http://www.koko.org/koko-tribute-robin-williams

[Guy 13]

Read what they have to say, then watch the video. Pretty touching. 

http://www.koko.org/koko-tribute-robin-williams

Thanks Jerry for that wonderful video.
I had tears of joy.
What a great and brilliant man he was,
please no one blame him for what he did.

Guy 13