(reading notes, depression)

[elainegrey]

Yesterday i was very down after a story about a website that assists people in committing suicides.

Twohey, Megan, and Gabriel J. X. Dance. “Where the Despairing Log On, and Learn Ways to Die.” The New York Times, December 9, 2021, sec. U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/09/us/where-the-despairing-log-on.html.

The article describes the impact of a website that run by persons who also run incel websites. The admins/owners are experienced in shifting the jurisdiction away from whatever authority attempts to do something about the site. When i read about how some people video stream their suicides i imagined that there's likely a market for those videos and wonder if that's a revenue stream for the people running it. The Times reports a predator who would offer to "help" women hang themselves, sexually assaulting them first. Just horrifying how "we want to create a safe space" is so twisted. I understand why a safe space is desired, but it's not a safe space when people can profit from others committing acts of desperation. There's so much dystopia. Even not knowing that, the recent spate of legal and jury decisions has me feeling far more pessimistic than ever.

I appreciate those of you who remind folks about rage donating.

The good news, which i must post quickly -- is learning of the "Birds Aren’t Real" conspiracy, an odd sort of outlet for processing the cognitive pain that the many conspiracy theories that have such an impact on our lives now. I don't know if it can have a broader effect, but there's my little glimmer of hope.

Lorenz, Taylor. “Birds Aren’t Real, or Are They? Inside a Gen Z Conspiracy Theory.” The New York Times, December 9, 2021, sec. Technology. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/technology/birds-arent-real-gen-z-misinformation.html.

Comments

[cmcmck]

I know what you mean though!

I reached a period in my life where I despaired and contemplated suicide.

I was fifteen years old. No one should have to go through that at fifteen years old.

Instead, I sought the help I desperately needed.

Now, at sixty five, I'm so glad I sought that help!

[elainegrey]

I am glad you did too!

I am not called to hang out on that site and help people away: given the ineffectiveness of legal efforts, human care is the only way i can see to defeat it.

[amaebi]

Wow, that's a depressing story about predation on people who are already low.

I think the "birds aren't real" thing is fairly funny, but-- yeah. So far as I can tell from a distance, some people are sort of serious about Chthulhu or even the FSM as deities. And I think the mass belief in intangible entities do manifest Somethings.

I love and admire you, and appreciate you as a reliable though not always calm beacon light.

[elainegrey]

Thank you.

It's clear we manifest change in the world, and i hope those of us visualizing swirled peas, i mean, world peace, (i am six years old), keep each other's faith up.

[cynthia1960]

My spouse told me that the "Birds Aren't Real" folks seem to have the same energy as the Unitarian Jihad back in the oughts.

[elainegrey]

Haven't heard of them, either, but it sounds like good energy. Makes me think of God Hates Shrimp.

[amaebi]

I used to enjoy wearing a God Hates Shrimp T-shirt to chapel in seminary. :D

[cynthia1960]

Excellent way to mess with people's preconceptions, *applause*

[amaebi]

I should say that I went to a liberal seminary-- Iliff-- and that even theologically and conservative students there tended to be down with LGTBIQ equity. But though I wasn't one of the younger students, not too many of my colleagues knew about God Hates Shrimp.

[cynthia1960]

When my spouse read the Jon Carroll column in the SF Chronicle where he describes the Unitarian Jihad, they created a little website where you could generate your own Unitarian Jihad name. People still go there even after over fifteen years ;).

[elainegrey]

With names like these, i can certainly see why!

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Cattle Prod of Quiet Reflection.

Get yours.

[amaebi]

The Neutron Bomb of Quiet Humanitarianism!