TAW122
Emissary of the right to die.
- Aug 30, 2018
- 6,803
A few days ago, there has been a news story of a figure skater by the name of John Coughlin. Now before I continue I just want to make it clear that I'm not discussing about the veracity of his alleged actions, nor his character/personality, nor making light of the accuser's claim (since it's still undetermined), but about his suicide and the way that the media posts the god awful 1-800 suicide hotline number.
To begin with, I will say that having any allegations, whether it is founded or not is very soul crushing. Right from the start, before real guilt is determined, if anyone (especially nowadays) is accused of such a crime or wrong doing (especially sexual harassment or stuff), then pretty much their social life, prestige, reputation, and even career is basically over. It's dead (even if it's discovered that they are false) the moment that allegations become public.
The media did not talk about his cause of death other than naming it as suicide. Therefore, we do not know in what manner did he die (gunshot, hanging, OD, etc.). The most infuriating thing is that related articles about trying to prevent people from suicide, trying to look for red flags of potential suicide, and worst of all, the (obligatory?) suicide hotline number being posted at the end. It's fucking 2019 now, and they should already know about how ineffective and harmful that the hotline can be for some people yet those dumbass news reporters and journalists act as though it's some panacea. I don't know about you or people on here, but I see that as just a low effort, virtue signal in order to sound good and just plain ignorance of what that hotline really does.
To begin with, I will say that having any allegations, whether it is founded or not is very soul crushing. Right from the start, before real guilt is determined, if anyone (especially nowadays) is accused of such a crime or wrong doing (especially sexual harassment or stuff), then pretty much their social life, prestige, reputation, and even career is basically over. It's dead (even if it's discovered that they are false) the moment that allegations become public.
The media did not talk about his cause of death other than naming it as suicide. Therefore, we do not know in what manner did he die (gunshot, hanging, OD, etc.). The most infuriating thing is that related articles about trying to prevent people from suicide, trying to look for red flags of potential suicide, and worst of all, the (obligatory?) suicide hotline number being posted at the end. It's fucking 2019 now, and they should already know about how ineffective and harmful that the hotline can be for some people yet those dumbass news reporters and journalists act as though it's some panacea. I don't know about you or people on here, but I see that as just a low effort, virtue signal in order to sound good and just plain ignorance of what that hotline really does.
