Inhuman "webcam suicide" viewers – Who is to blame?
Ian Brockwell
November 23, 2008
Abraham Biggs, 19, from Pembroke Pines, near Miami, announced his intentions to commit suicide on his blog and with the help of his webcam was able to broadcast this tragic moment "live" to the world.
There was a time when the mere mention of a possible suicide attempt would have people calling the authorities to warn them, just in case. Unfortunately, Abraham Biggs did not live in those times, he lived in a world where most people think only about themselves and obtain some sadistic pleasure in seeing others hurt or killed.
You can be certain that many of the people who clicked to see this article "secretly" hoped to find some "before and after" images of Biggs, to satisfy their twisted curiosity. If you are one of them, take a good look at yourself in the mirror, do you like what you see?
Some may offer the excuse that they thought he was joking, or that it was a hoax. This might have been possible (initially), but how long does it take for some people to realize the truth? Biggs died 12 hours after he made his announcement!
According to reports a few tried to talk him out of it, but others actually egged him on. Even those more concerned seemed to be waiting for "confirmation" before taking any action.
Abraham Biggs suffered from Bipolar disorder, a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person´s mood, energy, and ability to function. This can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. It is believed that almost 6 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population aged 18 and older in any given year have bipolar disorder.
The condition is usually treated with drugs, but patients respond differently to these (some are more effective than others). Although many doctors doubt the ability of hypnosis to help Bipolar disorder, most agree that it can not worsen the condition (if used in the correct way).
However, drug companies (and of course some doctors) prefer to promote the use of drugs as these are more profitable than "alternative" medicines. Sadly, in Abraham Biggs´ case, it was the medicine that he was given that provided the means to end his life (a combination of opiates and benzodiazepine). One has to wonder about the logic of providing "lethal" drugs to potentially "suicidal" patients, without trying much safer options first.
We can also speculate about the widespread use of drugs and chemicals that we come into contact with everyday, like fluoride in tap water and mercury in vaccinations (for example), both capable of reducing our IQ levels. Is it possible that these are contributing to the "don´t care" attitude we have seen increase over the years?
Clearly, television and movies play a big part in the way we think, but have drugs and chemicals made us more receptive to outside influences?
There have been calls to "control" internet sites that provide a platform for those wishing to display extreme acts in public, but this will not correct the real cause of the problem. What we should be doing is questioning those who make violent movies (or video games) and asking whether it is really necessary to display excessive violence (beyond that found in reality), and whether society should be so dependent on drugs, many of which do more harm than good.
In the meantime, for those who take pleasure in watching death or violence, remember this. One day you may suffer from a condition not unlike that endured by Abraham Biggs (don´t think it can´t happen), or perhaps find yourself being attacked and beaten in the street. How would you feel if people ignored your cry for help and just stood around watching, perhaps taking photos and joking, would that be OK?
November 23, 2008
Abraham Biggs, 19, from Pembroke Pines, near Miami, announced his intentions to commit suicide on his blog and with the help of his webcam was able to broadcast this tragic moment "live" to the world.
There was a time when the mere mention of a possible suicide attempt would have people calling the authorities to warn them, just in case. Unfortunately, Abraham Biggs did not live in those times, he lived in a world where most people think only about themselves and obtain some sadistic pleasure in seeing others hurt or killed.
You can be certain that many of the people who clicked to see this article "secretly" hoped to find some "before and after" images of Biggs, to satisfy their twisted curiosity. If you are one of them, take a good look at yourself in the mirror, do you like what you see?
Some may offer the excuse that they thought he was joking, or that it was a hoax. This might have been possible (initially), but how long does it take for some people to realize the truth? Biggs died 12 hours after he made his announcement!
According to reports a few tried to talk him out of it, but others actually egged him on. Even those more concerned seemed to be waiting for "confirmation" before taking any action.
Abraham Biggs suffered from Bipolar disorder, a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person´s mood, energy, and ability to function. This can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. It is believed that almost 6 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population aged 18 and older in any given year have bipolar disorder.
The condition is usually treated with drugs, but patients respond differently to these (some are more effective than others). Although many doctors doubt the ability of hypnosis to help Bipolar disorder, most agree that it can not worsen the condition (if used in the correct way).
However, drug companies (and of course some doctors) prefer to promote the use of drugs as these are more profitable than "alternative" medicines. Sadly, in Abraham Biggs´ case, it was the medicine that he was given that provided the means to end his life (a combination of opiates and benzodiazepine). One has to wonder about the logic of providing "lethal" drugs to potentially "suicidal" patients, without trying much safer options first.
We can also speculate about the widespread use of drugs and chemicals that we come into contact with everyday, like fluoride in tap water and mercury in vaccinations (for example), both capable of reducing our IQ levels. Is it possible that these are contributing to the "don´t care" attitude we have seen increase over the years?
Clearly, television and movies play a big part in the way we think, but have drugs and chemicals made us more receptive to outside influences?
There have been calls to "control" internet sites that provide a platform for those wishing to display extreme acts in public, but this will not correct the real cause of the problem. What we should be doing is questioning those who make violent movies (or video games) and asking whether it is really necessary to display excessive violence (beyond that found in reality), and whether society should be so dependent on drugs, many of which do more harm than good.
In the meantime, for those who take pleasure in watching death or violence, remember this. One day you may suffer from a condition not unlike that endured by Abraham Biggs (don´t think it can´t happen), or perhaps find yourself being attacked and beaten in the street. How would you feel if people ignored your cry for help and just stood around watching, perhaps taking photos and joking, would that be OK?
posted by Bill at
10:07 AM
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