How come people who commit suicide are considered cowards, unless someone famous does it?

[K-lusive]

As to point A:
I've heard selfish before, but cowardly? It seems these people saying that have yet to actually try it. If you've not commited suicide you cannot know whether or not it is something a coward would do.

And everything everyone does is selfish to some degree. Does not make it a bad thing per se.

 

[Flutterguy]

It's a miserable solution, and sadly it has been made into a goal of sorts for many young people as a means of avoiding responsibility. Stay up till 3am or later every night, spend every dime on drugs and food, then when confronted "Yeah well I'mma kill myself at 25 anyways". Great solution. Amiable goal.

Why do celebrities get a pass? They have clearly done more with their lives then most people. They came in with a fire and a point to make, they wanted to improve the world, and we got to watch performance after performance as that dream got crushed. They realize they can't bring a change because they're a part of something much larger, and that money from selling out? Well that money lost its novelty long ago.

I'm sure most people don't give it that much thought, but that is why a celebrity suicide is more.. tangible for me. They tried their best.

 

[Vareoth]

Ah, The Escapist forums, dealing with hard-hitting sensitive issues with the respect and consideration they deserve since never ever.

It is to be expected. It would almost be amusing if they weren't deadly serious about the opinions they put forth.

 

[Someone Depressing]

A) The internet is having something of a field day with this. It's not long until it develops into a full on meme.
B) No, suicide is not cowardly. When someone is genuinely considering it as a serious option, then it's anything but cowardly; it's a human being on the edge of their sanity.
C) Suicide is tragic, and I think there's an alternative for everybody. But if someone feels that the only way they can find peace is to off themselves, then that's none of my business.

It is a double standard, and people who do call suicidal celebrities cowards do get in a heap of trouble when the "it's the coward's way out" argument is basically the common agreement, and that's horrible, but saying that no one has called Williams a coward is bullshit.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

It's the choice for the weak of will.

To the contrary, it often takes less "will" to simply keep living.

People frequently judge without understanding.

Is that a way of saying I'm judging without understanding? What kind of disclaimer do I have to throw in to be taken seriously, that I 'get' depression? Like any other choice in life I think suicides can be more or less justified. And going from what little I know of this one man's particular case - his drug addictions and recurring rehab pit stops - his decision to kill himself comes across as if he finally gave up on a lifelong struggle.

 

[omega 616]

Celebs are different to non-celebs. They mostly live in America, which has a raging hard on for celebs ... they want to know where they live, what they eat, what they wear, who they are dating, what phone they use, what fragrance they wear, holiday locations blah blah blah and paparazzi make money from telling America every dirty little secret. They are under a constant microscope ... we've all seen embarrassing celeb pics, like Hugh Jackman coming out of the water at the beach or type in any female celeb name and you can see a nip slip, up skirt or camel toe ... I've even heard mention of photographers bending really low and trying to get an up skirt shot.

Not surprising a lot take drugs, just to escape.

On the other hand, I'd still call suicide the cowards choice ... it is a very permanent way to solve a problem, that is probably temporary. Instead of staying around to tackle the problem, you end your life so you don't have to deal with it.

What I don't get is how people living in war zones and VERY VERY poor people aren't killing themselves. How do you live with NOTHING or in constant worry that at any second you will die? I can't even imagine living on the streets or literally having a war going on every where around you ... go to bed worrying whether you're about to be raided and kidnapped or a bomb lands on your house ... just a walk to the shop you could be shot and killed. Yet millions of people go on but a millionaire, world famous and loved by millions tops himself 'cos he has depression?

I just don't get that, maybe it's just me but I think "if they can survive, even thrive there, my problems are totally insignificant" and it makes me feel better. (not in a schadenfreude kind of way)

Not to mention, you're leaving your family and friends in grief and heartbreak 'cos you feel like you can't be happy.

 

[Something Amyss]

Is that a way of saying I'm judging without understanding?

It's a way of saying you're making a specious comment. I also find it kind of callous, but that's just my own interpretation.

If that, to you, means "judging without understanding," then I guess.

I doubt you'll find many people who have survived suicide attempts who thought it was particularly easy to try. I specify survivors because the dead can't talk and would make poor witnesses.