Got irrationally angry today...

[Arnoxthe1]

I'm just browsing stuff on FunnyJunk today, having a few laughs. Then I get to this [http://www.funnyjunk.com/channel/feels/Friends+from+Great+Places/XyawGKl/]. At first glance, this seems like a great comic. But the more I thought about it, the more bitter I got.

In the end, it just reminded me that this world is a dark place. It won't save you. The odds of coming across someone that cool right at that moment are astronomical. Further, this kid is committing suicide because some kids pick on him and he's got a harsh mommy. SO WHAT?! He thinks he has it bad. And this girl, she's too good. A lot of people spent a good chunk of their lives trying to find someone like that. And he just catches the attention of one right away.

Maybe we should all look for the nearest bridge to jump off of and wait for someone amazing to hug us and tell us everything will be alright. Maybe bake us some chocolate chip cookies too and then we'll all ride off into the sunset on our big ****ing rainbow unicorn. No, I don't accept it. It's too good. And his plight is too pathetic for me to sympathize with.

Look, I know exactly what you're thinking. It's just a comic, right? Definitely. And I've been trying to get myself to ignore it but I can't stop thinking about how grossly unrealistic it is. Anyway, sorry for the rant but I felt like I had to write this to get it out of my mind...

*sigh*

 

[TheIceQueen]

First off, it's best to calm down. It really -is- just a comic and it's fictional and like most pieces of fiction, of course it's portraying a situation as rather unrealistic or over the top, but so what? To me, the whole point of the comic was that sometimes just being there at the right moment for someone can help out a lot. If you see or know someone on the brink, lending an empathetic ear can go a long way.

Secondly, the kid's reasons and the girl being too good is a rather silly criticism. Who knows how big his sob story could be and who knows how worse her own life could be? She could have it worse than him, but she's clearly an optimist who goes out of her way to see the positive in all things - which, by the way, is scientifically proven to be very beneficial in a vast amount of ways. And the kid's in the middle of the brink and the comic is already long enough as it is. There doesn't need to be some huge exposition about his woes, which would be far more unrealistic than anything. Right, when I'm standing on a bridge about to jump, I'm just going to get down to the nitty and gritty as though this were a psychotherapy session. I highly doubt that.

Edit: Also, my amazement when funnyjunk still exists and people still browse it.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

First off, it's best to calm down. It really -is- just a comic and it's fictional and like most pieces of fiction, of course it's portraying a situation as rather unrealistic or over the top, but so what? To me, the whole point of the comic was that sometimes just being there at the right moment for someone can help out a lot. If you see or know someone on the brink, lending an empathetic ear can go a long way.

Secondly, the kid's reasons and the girl being too good is a rather silly criticism. Who knows how big his sob story could be and who knows how worse her own life could be? She could have it worse than him, but she's clearly an optimist who goes out of her way to see the positive in all things - which, by the way, is scientifically proven to be very beneficial in a vast amount of ways. And the kid's in the middle of the brink and the comic is already long enough as it is. There doesn't need to be some huge exposition about his woes, which would be far more unrealistic than anything. Right, when I'm standing on a bridge about to jump, I'm just going to get down to the nitty and gritty as though this were a psychotherapy session. I highly doubt that.

But that's just common sense. I don't really think that was the point of the comic. I think it was simply made to just tell a heartwarming story.

I'm not saying optimism is bad. And yes, I know. My complaints do seem kinda silly. But honestly, if you want to make an effective comic, I find it's best to base it somewhat in reality. It could have been just as good of a story if the kid had thought of all the good things that happened to him and the nice people he's been privileged to meet. Boom. You get the same effect and more realism. And I thought of that just in less than 10 seconds.

In conclusion, is it kinda silly to make a big deal about this? Probably. But I still think I have a point.

 

[Reiper]

Well his reasons aren't necessarily bad, since we don't understand the extent of the parental issues / bullying. You're right though, it is probably the improbability of it that makes you upset, well also the fact that he instantly cheers up and comes across as an annoying angsty pre-teen.

So yeah, it is unrealistic, and I understand how it would annoy you, but remember it is just a cartoon, and these stories sometimes do have happy endings.

 

[TheIceQueen]

Snip.

But that's just common sense. I don't really think that was the point of the comic. I think it was simply made to just tell a heartwarming story.

I'm not saying optimism is bad. And yes, I know. My complaints do seem kinda silly. But honestly, if you want to make an effective comic, I find it's best to base it somewhat in reality. It could have been just as good of a story if the kid had thought of all the good things that happened to him and the nice people he's been privileged to meet. Boom. You get the same effect and more realism. And I thought of that just in less than 10 seconds.

In conclusion, is it kinda silly to make a big deal about this? Probably. But I still think I have a point.

Honestly, I find this rather silly and I don't really want to debate the effectiveness of comics, just how realistic pieces of media should be or not, or what the best tactic for it to take would have been. It won't really get us anywhere, as it's all based on nothing but subjectivity.

Really, though, if you're getting this bitter and irrationally angry over a comic, I would recommend some sort of psychotherapy as that doesn't sound very healthy.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

At first glance it seems like a great comic? I didn't think so, it is terrible on so many levels it is hard to know where to start. It is an awful comic, awful story, and makes people feel worse in the end not better. First, when you consider the target age group this is meant for, it is sending all the wrong messages to a group that actively struggles with handling their emotions due to their fluctuating hormone levels during puberty.
Look at just a few of the things that are wrong with this:
1) Kids should consider suicide because of problems with their parents/ guys at school?
2) Getting through one day doesn't solve the issue the next time something bad happens.
3) That a guy should feel like a girl because he was bullied and that a girl should save him?
4) That you should just jump off a bridge if a girl who can beat up guys with Karate doesn't show up to save you?
5) That what you wear makes you a cooler person?
6) It does nothing to help them address the actual issues and handle their emotions in a healthy manner.

UGH this is awful on so many levels, it doesn't make me angry, it makes me pitty the person who made it.
It is not even heart warming... it is disturbingly sending the worst message possible to those struggling with their emotions.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

Really, though, if you're getting this bitter and irrationally angry over a comic, I would recommend some sort of psychotherapy as that doesn't sound very healthy.

Perhaps I came off too strong. If anything, I'm just annoyed and not really angry per se. I should have been clearer in the OP and my reply.

 

[Scarim Coral]

So you're saying that a random stranger stop whatever he/ she is doing to stop a sucidal person from jumping off a very high place won't happen in real life?
Ahem, sorry to burst your depression bubble but I had saw this news this morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24766849
(The news segment didn't mention that even Donnal Trump himself had rewarded that Bus driver $10,000 for his noble act).

Ok sorry, I will stop there as something as positive like that rarely happens in real life (or when it come to be recored or mention in the media).

 

[Abomination]

I'm just browsing stuff on FunnyJunk today, having a few laughs. Then I get to this [http://www.funnyjunk.com/channel/feels/Friends+from+Great+Places/XyawGKl/]. At first glance, this seems like a great comic. But the more I thought about it, the more bitter I got.

In the end, it just reminded me that this world is a dark place. It won't save you. The odds of coming across someone that cool right at that moment are astronomical. Further, this kid is committing suicide because some kids pick on him and he's got a harsh mommy. SO WHAT?! He thinks he has it bad. And this girl, she's too good. A lot of people spent a good chunk of their lives trying to find someone like that. And he just catches the attention of one right away.

Maybe we should all look for the nearest bridge to jump off of and wait for someone amazing to hug us and tell us everything will be alright. Maybe bake us some chocolate chip cookies too and then we'll all ride off into the sunset on our big ****ing rainbow unicorn. No, I don't accept it. It's too good. And his plight is too pathetic for me to sympathize with.

Look, I know exactly what you're thinking. It's just a comic, right? Definitely. And I've been trying to get myself to ignore it but I can't stop thinking about how grossly unrealistic it is. Anyway, sorry for the rant but I felt like I had to write this to get it out of my mind...

*sigh*

Saw it earlier today and I pretty much just rolled my eyes at the obvious bleeding heart pity-party and how "people who stop suicides are the most awesome people in the world" promotion it had going on.

Certainly there could be some context missing but we've got some kid who wants to off himself because his life's a bit shit at the moment. The only thing that stops him is essentially a friend made in heaven. Suicide isn't a binary game despite the obvious life-failure, death-success outcome.

In a world of constant social-media stimulation and popularity contests a suicide attempt seems to be essentially the most effective way of garnering support and affection... and that's fucking scary and it's a bad fucking precedent to set. Talk about encouraging destructive behavior.

 

[krazykidd]

Wow you people are thinking way too hard about this. Either that or i'm just not as smart as you guys, because i don't see a problem with the comic. Unrealistic? Sure , but there is nothing there that isn't plausible. I mean , if you were the only person that could save a stranger from suicide , even for a day you'd probably start making up shit too.

As for me , i got nothing against suicide. It's a choice everyone should have a right to make. Not always a good choice , but one we shouldn't selfishly take away from someone.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Wow you people are thinking way too hard about this. Either that or i'm just not as smart as you guys, because i don't see a problem with the comic. Unrealistic? Sure , but there is nothing there that is plausible. I mean , if you were the only person that could save a stranger from suicide , even for a day you'd probably start making up shit too.

As for me , i got nothing against suicide. It's a choice everyone should have a right to make. Not always a good choice , but one we shouldn't selfishly take away from someone.

This was a comic about children, and claiming that children who are not even capable of legal consent have a right to choose suicide as a choice, is beyond ludicrous. The prefrontal cortex is not even fully developed until your mid 20's.
They are not capable of using " better judgement" when the part of the brain that controls better judgement isn't even developed yet and their hormone levels are unstable causing an emotional rollercoaster.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Wow you people are thinking way too hard about this. Either that or i'm just not as smart as you guys, because i don't see a problem with the comic. Unrealistic? Sure , but there is nothing there that is plausible. I mean , if you were the only person that could save a stranger from suicide , even for a day you'd probably start making up shit too.

As for me , i got nothing against suicide. It's a choice everyone should have a right to make. Not always a good choice , but one we shouldn't selfishly take away from someone.

This was a comic about children, and claiming that children who are not even capable of legal consent have a right to choose suicide as a choice, is beyond ludicrous. The prefrontal cortex is not even fully developed until your mid 20's.
They are not capable of using " better judgement" when the part of the brain that controls better judgement isn't even developed yet and their hormone levels are unstable causing an emotional rollercoaster.

Children do have the right to choose suicide. Everyone does. Don't believe me? Try and take that right from them. You'll find it's extremely difficult to do so, unless you strap them to a bed 24/7, and then you're taking away far more than their right to suicide.

And where do you get the idea that the comic is endorsing suicide as a means of making problems go away? Do movies about terrorism endorse terrorism, just because they have terrorism as the subject matter?

I'm sorry, but there's not indication you are being remotely objective or understanding about what this comic is trying to say.

In Pediatric Medicine we deal with hormone imbalance and emotional instability in children quite frequently and treat their conditions accordingly and quite successfully. Children and teen issues should not be confused with adult issues, as there are very different causes and treatments for these problems and it should be handled by those with the education and training to do so rather than " public opinion" on the matter.

It honestly does not matter what the intentions of the comic where, the problem is what it IS saying, endorsing and representing. My concern due to my field, is the impact this can have on children and that is my primary concern here, not the intentions of the author.

 

[Galen Marek]

This is one of the few unrealistic things that exist that doesn't piss me off to no end. Kind of odd. Cheers for posting it, was kinda interesting to read. In my mind I like to think this happens more often then we believe, and that actions so simple as making a new friend can have such huge impacts.

There was a post on 9GAG that said pretty much the same as this actually happened. It was a beautiful read, whether it was real or not.

Perhaps instead of dwelling on its unlikely-ness (I can completely understand you dwelling on that, it is my natural instinct as well in many cases), try to view it as a way you might save someones life in the future?

I know irrational anger far too well though so I can completely understand if you can't. If that is the case, I will be irrationally angry with you. If we are both that angry, its not irrational any more!

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

Children do have the right to choose suicide. Everyone does. Don't believe me? Try and take that right from them. You'll find it's extremely difficult to do so, unless you strap them to a bed 24/7, and then you're taking away far more than their right to suicide.

I don't know what jurisdiction you're in, but legally I don't think that's true.
And morally, even if you considered your life of no value and the damaging effects on your friends and family to be of no consequence, at the very least by jumping off a bridge you'd be polluting the water and causing a public nuisance.
It's not really a justifiable decision.
Especially for a young (i.e. not fully developed) person, who are mentally unstable by definition.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

It honestly does not matter what the intentions of the comic where, the problem is what it IS saying, endorsing and representing.

And I don't think you have any idea what that is. Let's break down your previous post:

1) Kids should consider suicide because of problems with their parents/ guys at school?

The comic never endorses his choice.

2) Getting through one day doesn't solve the issue the next time something bad happens.

Very true. I think the point is that now he has a friend, that he's no longer alone in the world.

3) That a guy should feel like a girl because he was bullied and that a girl should save him?
4) That you should just jump off a bridge if a girl who can beat up guys with Karate doesn't show up to save you?
5) That what you wear makes you a cooler person?

The comic never says any of these things. The first was a means of her using humor to ease the situation. I don't even know what the second is, but it isn't in the comic. The third is just a way for her to draw a connection between the two of them.

6) It does nothing to help them address the actual issues and handle their emotions in a healthy manner.

Maybe. Maybe not. If, as I suspect, the comic is trying to say that people do better in life when they have people to lean on, I'd say it addresses the issue... okay. Not fantastic, but alright.

It portrays trying to commit suicide as a normal action for children and shows casual interaction with other children while doing so. By doing this, it shows that this behavior is normal, and that it would not be cause for alarm. Suicide is a very serious issue, and should only be portrayed in a manner targeted at children to show them that if they have thought such things they need to seek help and tell someone rather than try to jump off bridges. It did not show the child getting help, it shows someone coming to their rescue. That is the opposite message we need to send to children. We need to stress them seeking out help, not people trying to stop them.

1)It shows the child is choosing to jump off the bridge because of problems with parents and kids at school. By portraying this in casual situation such as this, rather than in a manner that shows even thinking such things is cause for alarm and to seek help, it is endorsing the idea that this is a normal way to feel and reasonable course of action to take when presented with such things.

2)Regardless of if he has a friend or not, because many kids who would relate with this character, do not have a friend to help them, they still feel alone. Getting through one day isn't enough, having a friend or not having a friend is irrelevant to the very real emotions the child is dealing with, the child must seek help and solve the problems regardless of if they make a friend or not.

3, 4, 5, ) Yes, yes it did. 3)a kid who feels less than others because he is not strong or tough doesn't see the humor in being told he is like a little girl. It is mocking them, especially if it is bullies at school that also are telling him this, which sadly is often the case. It isn't humorous to a boy who wants to be strong and tough to make them feel even weaker and helpless. He was going to jump off the bridge, but since the girl showed up and talked him out of it he did not. So what about the kid who is on the bridge and no one shows up to stop them? Placing their self worth, identity and value on what they wear is also a terrible message to send to children, it isn't what you wear, it is what you do.

6)By not addressing the issues and presenting them in such a manner, it normalizes/ marginalizes suicide as a normal feeling/ action and not showing they need to seek adult help if they have such feelings so that they can get the very real assistance they need to deal with such things. By presenting it in such a manner, and not showing that they need to let adults know what is going on, a child who is actually struggling with these very real issues may not see it as serious enough to talk to someone about. The hardest thing to do when trying to prevent suicide is to get them to seek help from those who can actually help them with what they are going through. This comic makes that worse, not better. When they tell another child, more often than not, that child doesn't take it seriously and does not help them get the help they need.

 

[Simple Bluff]

Just want to say I'm not a psychologist, in any shape or form. I do however volunteer with a not for profit organization that helps kids and young adults with depression and loneliness. I've done a few short lectures a couple of times before, and I have actively dealt with quite a few young people with serious mental issues. But again, I'm not an expert. I'm not even that smart really.

1) Kids should consider suicide because of problems with their parents/ guys at school?

Come on. Would you be able to your troubles into words at a moment like that? Any reason to commit suicide is gonna sound silly when you're faced with death (with the possible exception of terminal illnesses or whatever). "Life seems so pointless" is something I hear an awful lot of, in fact.

2) Getting through one day doesn't solve the issue the next time something bad happens.

... Are you saying we shouldn't get through the day? Anyway, the problem facing a lot of teenagers (in my experience) is the feeling of helplessness. They're stuck in whatever life situation they were born into and most of the time they can do fuck all to change it, because they're still mostly under the control of they're parents. Finding a way through the day is often the most they could possibly accomplish. At least as far as they're able to see.

3) That a guy should feel like a girl because he was bullied and that a girl should save him?

"Feeling like a girl" being synonymous for feeling weak, in this context? No, it's not how he should feel but it's how he would feel, and that's the point. It should be noted that the comic neither reinforced that it was ok to feel that way, but nor did it mock him either. It was understanding.

5) That what you wear makes you a cooler person?

I think you're deliberately looking for things to complain about at this point. Haven't you heard of a conversation starter? Don't you know people like to be flattered for their clothes? Don't you think it's nice to meet someone with a common interest? Do you think she wouldn't have pointed that out, if that was the case?

6) It does nothing to help them address the actual issues and handle their emotions in a healthy manner.

I think not jumping off a bridge is a healthy way to deal with issues, but that's just me.
Glib aside, what's wrong with it? He opened up to someone who was willing to listen. Last time I checked that was considered... sorry, my glib was showing again.

Look guys, the premise is unlikely, and the whole thing is just full of cheese, but there's absolutely nothing about it that would send a wrong message, in my ignorant opinion. It's just a happy story to make people feel good, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think the point is, is that there's always someone who wants to help you. At least in Western society. Help won't usually find you, like what happened to that fortunate boy in the comic, but help can be found everywhere if you look for it. And it's not hard to find at all.

 

[Hagi]

Meh, seems to be a somewhat emotionally manipulative comic, not really my thing.

For that reason I'd also say you're looking at it the wrong way. It's not a comic about people. It's not a comic about two kids on a bridge. It's a comic about your emotions.

It's not intended to represent reality or even a fantasy. It's intended to elicit an emotional response.

 

[Lil devils x_v1legacy]

Just want to say I'm not a psychologist, in any shape or form. I do however volunteer with a not for profit organization that helps kids and young adults with depression and loneliness. I've done a few short lectures a couple of times before, and I have actively dealt with quite a few young people with serious mental issues. But again, I'm not an expert. I'm not even that smart really.

1) Kids should consider suicide because of problems with their parents/ guys at school?

Come on. Would you be able to your troubles into words at a moment like that? Any reason to commit suicide is gonna sound silly when you're faced with death (with the possible exception of terminal illnesses or whatever). "Life seems so pointless" is something I hear an awful lot of, in fact.

2) Getting through one day doesn't solve the issue the next time something bad happens.

... Are you saying we shouldn't get through the day? Anyway, the problem facing a lot of teenagers (in my experience) is the feeling of helplessness. They're stuck in whatever life situation they were born into and most of the time they can do fuck all to change it, because they're still mostly under the control of they're parents. Finding a way through the day is often the most they could possibly accomplish. At least as far as they're able to see.

3) That a guy should feel like a girl because he was bullied and that a girl should save him?

"Feeling like a girl" being synonymous for feeling weak, in this context? No, it's not how he should feel but it's how he would feel, and that's the point. It should be noted that the comic neither reinforced that it was ok to feel that way, but nor did it mock him either. It was understanding.

5) That what you wear makes you a cooler person?

I think you're deliberately looking for things to complain about at this point. Haven't you heard of a conversation starter? Don't you know people like to be flattered for their clothes? Don't you think it's nice to meet someone with a common interest? Do you think she wouldn't have pointed that out, if that was the case?

6) It does nothing to help them address the actual issues and handle their emotions in a healthy manner.

I think not jumping off a bridge is a healthy way to deal with issues, but that's just me.
Glib aside, what's wrong with it? He opened up to someone who was willing to listen. Last time I checked that was considered... sorry, my glib was showing again.

Look guys, the premise is unlikely, and the whole thing is just full of cheese, but there's absolutely nothing about it that would send a wrong message, in my ignorant opinion. It's just a happy story to make people feel good, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think the point is, is that there's always someone who wants to help you. At least in Western society. Help won't usually find you, like what happened to that fortunate boy in the comic, but help can be found everywhere if you look for it. And it's not hard to find at all.

I am a practicing Pediatrician. I earned my medical degrees in Pediatric medicine and Immunology from the University Of Texas in Austin. While I applaud you for your efforts in volunteering assistance, I do hope you are referring troubled youth to the proper resources so they can obtain the qualified help they need.

You are incorrect. In western society, there is not always someone looking to help you, and children( especially children) often feel cut off from society and afraid to speak to adults. They often find it difficult to speak to adults about their emotions. I already addressed the other issues in another post on this thread.

EDIT: The Zero punctuation ad is getting really annoying when trying to type and it keeps covering the screen so I cannot see what I am typing.