Saturday, April 29, 2017

The danger of death porn

New Zealand is restricting "13 reasons why" about bullying, but actually about a teen who committed suicide mainly to get revenge on those who bullied her.

One wonders: This is seen through her eyes, of course, but she is depressed and what she reports might not be true.

And of course, it will encourage more teens to believe in the fantasy that if they kill themselves, they will be able to revenge themselves on those bullying them.

Which is why NZ is restricting it's viewing to adults.

The series raises a lot of issues but often fails to fully address them, and it’s really important that trusted adults can step in at that point. "These issues need to be talked about in a way that is informed and safe – parents, guardians and other adults need to have open conversations with teens about the issues raised by the show."
 Translation: Public health authorities worry it will inspire a lot of copycat suicides.

we saw this in the past, where the Matrix inspired the Columbine massacre, and the publicity about that crime inspired a lot more teenagers to go and shoot up their schools.

(personal note: One school shooting was near a clinic where I had worked several years before it occurred. I knew the family, and the kid's problem was not just bullying, since he was taking home classes, but a messed up family due to substance abuse. At the time of the murders, he was living with his grandfather, a cop, but turned on him in rage and killed him first).

So how do you respond to bullying? Kill yourself or kill them?

of course, there is a third way: Stop the bullying.

teachers used to do that.

Or maybe change your kid's school. Been there done that.

but you know, when lots of TV sitcoms and tv talk shows like the View or political discussions  use ridicule of "the other" for humor, it makes me wonder.

maybe we need a "speak with kindness" week.

With Trumpie in charge, that would be impossible, but given that Democrats for years have bullied those who disagree with political correctness, and get cheered on in the press, you have to wonder how deeply this goes.

(I mean, I am now told I can't be a Democrat because I am pro life. Bernie disagrees, but hey, he is not a Democrat).

What does abortion have to do with teen suicide? Maybe because it is choosing death to solve a problem.

And teenagers are very suggestible.

Doctors have long known about the danger of "copycat suicides". For years, public health officials have cautioned the press not to glamourize or justify suicide, because it inspired those fighting depression to think this is an okay alternative for their problem.

In recent years, however, we have suicide chic: all the teenaged girls cried at the death porn film "me before you".

Killing oneself so not to be a burden on others is being pushed, in the same way that abortion so as not to be stuck raising a kid so you can be successful and richh was pushed.

yes I know: these ideas were pushed as "13 year old raped girl whose baby would be deformed" or "pain that was not relieved".

That last part is becoming more of a real problem thanks to the powers that be blaming doctors for the opioid epidemic that is actually due to Mexican drug cartels, but hey, building a fence to stop this is not PC, so encourage people in pain to kill themselves instead.

so what is another answer?

Maybe have a second season to show that she had other options, or that she misunderstood the comments, or showing her that she did have a place in the world, and showing the world changed because she acted on her anger.

Sort of like "Rashomon".

or maybe "it's a wonderful Life"..

at least, stop making this type of thinking sound noble and logical: it is immature and silly.

Mel Brooks call your office.

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