Suicide
‘Buddy Check on 22!’ Veterans Use Social Media to Fight Suicide - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/us/veterans-suicide-22-social.html?emc=edit_th_20160424&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
Geography’s Role in the Life Expectancy of the Poor -
NYTimes.com‘Buddy Check on 22!’ Veterans Use Social Media to Fight Suicide - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/us/veterans-suicide-22-social.html?emc=edit_th_20160424&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High - NYTimes.com
Public Health/Demographics
This analysis is really interesting.
Life Expectancy for White Americans Drops Slightly; Analysts Cite Drug Overdoses - NYTimes.com
Natural Disasters
Ecuador Earthquake Kills Hundreds in Huge Wave of Collapses - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/18/world/americas/ecuador-earthquake-deaths.html?emc=edit_th_20160418&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
Earthquake Leaves a Trail of Destruction in Ecuador - NYTimes.com
Please compare the destruction in Ecuador with that in Japan.
I275 Bridge Accident last week
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/03/23/afraid-driving-off-bridge-you-are-not-alone/82124556/
Right to Die in CanadaAid in Dying in Canada - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/opinion/sunday/aid-in-dying-in-canada.html?emc=edit_th_20160424&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
Right to Die in Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/manitoban-granted-right-to-die-with-help-from-doctors-1.3492663 Justin Trudeau Seeks to Legalize Assisted Suicide in Canada - NYTimes.com
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globalnews.ca
The Liberal government has released details
of a new federal assisted-dying law. Here's a rundown of what it says.
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Other
Persian Cuisine, Fragrant and Rich With Symbolism - NYTimes.com
Food plays an important role in our rituals and in reinforcing family ties and building community. This story is about Nowruz, which you've recently read about. What examples do you have of important and/or meaningful practices or rituals that involve specific foods? What does that say about human nature?
What I Learned From Tickling Apes - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/opinion/sunday/what-i-learned-from-tickling-apes.html?emc=edit_th_20160410&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
Death on Facebook
Terrorism
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-35869266
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brussels-attacks-manhunt-suspect-airport-video-160323032248510.html
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/brussels-attacks-manhunt-suspect-airport-video-160323032248510.html
Thoughts? Is the world more dangerous or just more visibly so? Do the terrorist attacks make you live your life any differently? Should they?
Obituaries
Hilary Putnam, Giant of Modern Philosophy, Dies at 89 -
NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/arts/hilary-putnam-giant-of-modern-philosophy-dies-at-89.html?emc=edit_th_20160318&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
Dr. Holbrook Kohrt, Hemophiliac Who Made the Condition a
Crusade, Dies at 38 - NYTimes.com
Hillary Putnam, Giant of Modern Philosophy
ReplyDeletePutnam's life held lessons valuable for us all to observe, even if Philosophy is not our field of choice. He was well known for his willingness to critique his own points of view and engage in lively debate that challenged his ideas. In the spirit of Buddhism, he seemed to recognize the transcendent nature of everything in the universe, frequently changing his opinion on matters. He was not a Buddhist, but made contributions in the field of Jewish philosophy. Keep in mind that many notable philosophers avoided religion altogether. His work spanned far greater subjects than most philosophers, and most great thinkers in history. Putnam's curiosity was not limited to the philosophy of mind- he also explored math, physics, metaphysics, and computer science. In reading about Hilary Putnam, I am reminded to be open to the fluidity of the world around me, and to examine all of life with the curiosity of a child. Limiting exploration to topics that are popular or fit neatly into our image of ourselves may very well limit our ability to fully experience joy and all this life has to offer.
Facebook, digital graveyard
ReplyDeleteWhen reviewing photographs to compile a slideshow for Mom's Celebration of Life (commonly known as a memorial), a certain kind of magic was felt by all in the room. My siblings and I grew up with her in different decades, and different cities. Lying on the table in front of us were the stories of so many intertwined lives that we each knew in different pieces. Together we could recreate seven decades of history, one whole-life story that meant so much to us all. It was a very cathartic experience, and one that was only for us. Experiences like these feel very private to me. When we lay out all of our life for the rest of the world to see, it seems like the magic that occurs in private moments is lost. There is no mystery to be revealed through getting to know someone, no excitement to behold.
Regarding continuing memorials and notifications on deceased people's accounts: This is most definitely promotion of our denial-of-death culture! As we have discussed in class, there are many signs that our culture denies death. Digital memorials that last well beyond the death of individuals are the most flagrant example of how we continue to deny death even after people die. We will never be able to accept the death of someone we loved if their memory is "kept alive" on Facebook and we are continually reminded of them. Most of our loved ones would want us to grieve the loss and go on with our lives. In closing, I am reminded of an old expression I heard my mom use many times. "Give me my flowers while I'm living." What does this mean? Express your feelings for those you care about, both in words and actions every day. Don't spend energy expressing your love when they are gone from sight. Love them openly and completely today, for this day may be the last.
Right to die with dignity in Manitoba
ReplyDeletePhysician Assisted Suicide (PAS) is an astoundingly complex topic. I am challenged by every new piece of information I obtain to revamp some nuance of my position on the subject. One of the major concerns surrounding PAS is how to determine who would be allowed to choose to die within a system that allows PAS. In the case in Manitoba, the patient has been evaluated as mentally competent and states they are not depressed. Statements from the patient and their spouse indicate the patient wishes to avoid further pain and suffering for both themselves and their family. It seems the essential questions to qualify a patient for PAS have been asked and answered.
I believe patients facing a short life of greatly diminished quality filled with intractable pain should have some control over how their life comes to a close. Before making a final decision to choose PAS, however, I think the patient and their family should be thoroughly informed of what their final days can look like when assisted by comfort care. Comfort care, also referred to as palliative care or hospice, can facilitate a comfortable and peaceful death surrounded by family through cessation of life-sustaining care and administration of morphine. In a case such as the one in Manitoba where the patient is awake and aware, the patient and their family can come to an agreement about what care will be provided if and when the patient is no longer lucid. The choices made can ensure the patient will not suffer pain as death approaches, and may bring the moment of their peaceful death closer. Additionally, a focus of palliative care is to provide enough pain medication that the patient feels very little or no pain in the weeks or months preceding their death.
The option of palliative care may not appeal to every individual who considers PAS. Nevertheless, it would be socially irresponsible to allow individuals to schedule their own death without first educating them that PAS is not the only way to die with dignity. Through hospice care the terminally ill can die on their own terms, aided by professionals who are experienced in making death as peaceful as possible for both the patient and their family.
Death on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of having a digital soul is very interesting, and I had never thought of social media in that way. I have known people who have died and their Facebook still remains, it is comforting to go back and look at pictures of them, or things they found to be funny or just read about what they are doing from what they post. That profile is there forever unless someone decides to take it down, or Facebook crashes, its there for people to go back and be able to look or learn about a loved one and I think that is really special, and I am glad we have social media to allow us that opportunity. It is weird to think that even though a person may have passed, to social media they are still alive, they live on and I think that is hard to think about but is a good thing. I also think it is crazy that the dead are starting to outweigh the living on Facebook, its just something I had never thought of before. I also think it is a good thing for the family to have, since often times people will post on a persons profile who is deceased memories of them and so on and that could bring comfort and happiness to the loved ones. I can see the other side that this may bring up painful memories or give an erie feeling to the person looking at it, and I know people want some of these to fade off and be removed because it may be hard to move on with this still out there but for me I think its nice to have these people still living sort of in the social media world.
Right to Die in Canada.
ReplyDeletePhysician-assisted suicide is a controversial topic, one that is hard to take a position on because every time you do you learn something new that gives you a sort of moral dilemma. However at this point my view on this is that if a person is going to be dying a painful death, and they are at the mental capacity to make the decision and a doctor says that there is no chance the person will be able to get better, I think they deserve the choice of physician assisted suicide. I believe it is that persons right to die with dignity, and to take away the intolerable pain, just like the patient in this article states. I don't think it is a bad thing for a patient to want to die their way, privately and with their family in that situation, it saves them from an extremely painful time and their family can have the chance to say goodbye and remember them for who they are not for the pain they were experiencing. I also think it is good for the spouse to support the decision just like In this article, I don't think a person would be able to pass peacefully without that support. I think this should be an option for all terminally ill patients with no hope for survival.
I275 Bridge Accident last week.
ReplyDeleteFalling off a Bridge into a body of water has always been a fear of mine, and I do admit I have thought of what would happen if it happened to me. Its good to know I am not alone in this fear since there is even a name for it Gephyrophobia. Turns out is common especially with areas that have bridges close to it. For me this accident frightened me, I drive across that bridge to get home, I drive across it home from work everyday in the summer, when I go home from school and so on. My roommates were even driving close to when this accident happened near the bridge which is scary. The increase in wrecks in this area have been extremely frightening and I am hoping they come to a stop soon. The fact that myth busters did a show on falling off a bridge, shows how real the fear is. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones and the man who fell from the bridge that day, that had to be terrifying and I can only hope that he did not feel much pain. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones in this terrible time.
I totally agree with you! it is very scary! I drive that way to go home and every time I pass where the car went off i get goosebumps. I can't imagine what it would be like to be his family.
DeleteTotally agree with you there about the bridge fear, I hate them!
DeleteDr. Holbrook Kohrt, Hemophiliac Who Made the Condition a Crusade, Dies at 38.
ReplyDeleteI think it is inspiring that Dr. Holbrook Kohrt had this condition and wanted to become a doctor and study this for himself, along with cancer. It is a good perspective for a doctor to have had a condition himself to be able to see where a patient is actually coming from. It is surprising to me that so many people ridiculed him for doing what is necessary for his health and in order to live. I will never understand people when it comes to things like that. I think its great that he said his immune system had cured him from hepatitis C and he was wondering if he could get the immune system to respond to cancer in that same way, hopefully his research was on to something and someone will pick it up and continue it. He sounded like an inspiring man, one who lived life in the moment because he never knew what could happen in his future, we would all be so lucky to have that mentality I think it helps you live life fully to think that way. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.
Hilary Putnam, Giant of Modern Philosophy, Dies at 89
ReplyDeleteHilary Putnam was known for the breadth of his thinking, the vividness of his proactive arguments and his penchant for self-questioning and willingness to change his mind. I find it interesting that he said "our understanding of something depends on a community". Its interesting that he believed that to understand something you needed more then just yourself. His argument he made in "The Meaning of Meaning" I find very interesting as well the concept of a twin earth. It is interesting that things would be referred to as the same thing but in reality are not. Although I had never heard of him until reading this article I can tell that his contributions to philosophy will be greatly missed.
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ReplyDeleteTerrorist Attack in Brussels
ReplyDeleteI think what happened in Brussels is incredibly sad and reminds us all of how bad terrorism is getting. Terrorist groups have attacked many areas and it is scary to think what they can do next, because we all know they are capable of the unthinkable. I can only hope that these brutal attacks will be put to an end soon. I think the world is incredibly dangerous these days, and it is becoming more visible. There always seems to be something tragic happening in the news every day, a lot related with this terrorist group, and a lot not. I don't know if it is because I am older and paying more attention to the news but it seems to me that the world is more dangerous today then what it was a few years ago. The terrorist attacks don't make me live my life differently because if it did I would be constantly worried and avoiding life, and then they win. I feel that I am more aware of danger now and I will take a few more precautions but I wont let it stop me from living my life. I do worry about it at times it scares me but I cant live my life that way over something I have no control over. I don't think they should make anyone live their life differently accept for maybe not travel out of the country for the time being, at least not go to areas that are heavy with that group. My heart goes out to everyone in Brussels and families and loved ones or anyone who was involved.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/2-more-americans-confimed-dead-brussels-attacks-state-department-n546371
ReplyDeleteGoing off the already posted articles about terrorist attacks in Brussels, I found this article ^ that confirmed two more Americans were killed in the Brussels bombing. Justin and Stephanie Shults, who had moved to Belgium in 2014, were also killed in the attacks. Justin was from Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Stephanie, was from Lexington, Kentucky. The couple had just dropped off Stephanie's mother at the airport when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives. This is absolutely crazy to think about because they were going on about their normal lives and then all of a sudden, they were gone. It is even more surreal because this couple was from close to where we live. That could have easily been one of my family members or a friend, or even myself. We never know where we will be in the future and we never know what will happen to us.
Just like Paris and all the other terrorist attacks that have happened in between, it is devastating to see and hear about the loss of innocent lives. Listening to the stories of survivors and witnesses of the Brussels attack, it was like the end of the world. But at the same time, it is also the beginning of something. It takes heartbreaking events like these to cause people to wake up and realize that life is such a fragile thing and in the blink of an eye, it can be taken away. Like there you are going about your day, dropping your mother off at the airport, and then all of sudden the airport is in ruins and people are dead or wounded, covered in blood. On any normal day, you would be so caught up in yourself that you wouldn't even necessarily acknowledge the people around you, but after the bombings, people who were less injured than others were helping the wounded up and out. It is comforting to have this faith in humanity and that despite the fear and confusion that people felt after the bombings, they were still able to stop and help the people around them.
I think the world has always been a dangerous place, but now I feel as if the thoughts and fears of danger are becoming more of a reality than ever before. Like in the Cold War, Americans had just a fear of being bombed or attacked with nuclear weapons by the Soviet Union, but today, bombings are almost an everyday occurrence (actual happening), in any part of the world, whether terrorist or not. That is a sad thing to have to say, but we just cannot let ourselves become numb to the violence. It is a "good thing" to feel sad or heartbroken when these mass murders happen, because that means we are not numb. We should not put the risk of terrorist attacks on the back burner and disregard the looming threat, but if we live in constant fear, we are letting the terrorists win. By living in fear and avoiding doing daily tasks, we are giving the terrorists the upper-hand and letting them have control over us. We need to be aware, as a society, of this growing war of terrorism, but we should not become numb or crippled by the fear of violent terrorist attacks.
I don't think the world is getting any worse when it comes to killing and terrorist attacks. I think it is more like we are just more aware of what us going on around us, due to the world news and the ability we have with the internet. I personally don't think we should live our life in fear of terrorist attacks, but I don't think that applies in all countries. If I lived in a country where attacks where more prominent, then I would worry more. But here in the U.S I do not worry terrorist attacks.
ReplyDeleteThe rescuers were finally able to locate and pull the car up. Speculation was that there was so many cars on the bottom of the river, plus the current was strong ultimately making retrieval nearly impossible. Its so sad to see a tragedy like this occur. What are the chances??? You hit and ramp off a bridge...
ReplyDeleteDeath on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very interesting topic. I have known many people on Facebook that have died and their Facebook is still there. To me, I feel like it is very weird and shocking to go on their page. It is weird to think that they were once living, interacting, messaging, and posting things on social media. Now, only a picture and their account remains. I do feel that it could be comforting for the family members or friends of that loved one. They are able to go through their profile, look at pictures, statuses, posts, and more. However, for some people it would be hard to move on from the death. I believe it would be hard to heal because they are trying to hold on to the past by being reminded.
I275 Bridge Accident last week
ReplyDeleteThis accident was very shocking to me because that was the first time I have ever heard of such an accident like that, especially close to where I live. I do have a small fear of bridges and heights. I was always less afraid of bridges over deep areas of water. However, this accident did change my perspective on bridges with water. I felt like bridges with water would be okay to land in because it wouldn't hurt to land. My logic behind water may seem funny, but I was proven wrong. A car plunging into the water is very dangerous and takes a special technique to escape. Many people are unaware of that technique until an accident like this happens. I didn't learn the right way to escape a car until I read this article. I am glad I was informed because I believe many people take bridges for granted, like me.
I275 Bridge Accident last week:
ReplyDeleteI could not believe it when I heard this had happened. I had just crossed the bridge about 20 minutes before this accident occurred and all I could think about was "what if I had decided to leave 20 minutes later and would have been on the bridge at the time of the accident?" It is not often that something like this happens close to you. To just think of all the things that had to of lined up perfectly so that when the car was hit, it was pushed over the edge of the bridge is crazy to me. It really puts into perspective that going out on the road is not always safe and that bad things like this do happen.
Death on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteI never really knew that this was a topic people discussed but I remember looking at my cousins facebook when he died and it was very strange for me. I didn't like seeing that just the day before he had posted things online and now he is gone forever. It was hard for me to look at and still is to this day. Also, after a girl my age died at my school it was weird to see that just the day before she had posted a picture with her friends on Instagram. It gives you a weird feeling that you never know when its going to happen to you. It also makes me feel like the healing process for the family could be harder when they can just look at their loved ones facebook or other social media. It would be harder to be able to move on.
Right to die in Canada:
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide, is very controversial. It is a topic that most people don't even like to talk about. To me, Euthanasia should be an option. There are many people that can see both sides of the argument. So, if both sides are able to be seen, then Euthanasia should at least be an option for the people that want it. It should not be up to anyone but the person whether they live with their painful disease until it kills them or they take the medicine and end it before their suffering gets worse. I like discussing the topic because many people say that the decision should be up to the individual but right now the option is not even on the table for most people.
http://www.wlwt.com/news/police-on-scene-of-shooting-in-springfield-township/38877580
ReplyDeleteHere is an article on the couple who was believed to be involved in a murder suicide. It is extremely sad that it got to that point and I think it shows that when someone has dementia or Alzheimer's it is really hard on the care giver.
Death on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI know a few people that have died that I am still friends with on Facebook. One of which is my cousin Amy. Her husband will still go on there and change her profile pictures and write status’s and stuff. I personally don’t like that he does that because it’s under her name and she is gone. I don’t mind her Facebook still being open. I like to go on her page and look through her pictures and stuff but I don’t her page changing and seeing that her statuses have changed. It just bothers me for some reason. I think it’s because it seems like she is doing it even though I know that she will never be able to do that again. I feel like if the page doesn’t change it is nice for family and friends to be able to go on the page and remember her by her old pictures and other stuff that is on the page.
I275 Bridge Accident last week
ReplyDeleteI like this article because after the scare that everyone had after this incident, more relaxed. People freaked thinking it was going to happen to them next. The 1 percent that they talked about of dying in a car from drowning and then an even smaller percentage of that being from falling off a bridge is reassuring. The chance of someone falling off a bridge and drowning happens more in movies and tv shows than in real life. I did like that this article had the video of the mythbusters getting out of a submerging car and also what you can do personally to get out if it actually ever happens to you.
Death on Facebook:
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting and something I have thought about several times. I have a very close person to me who died recently and I often find myself going through their Facebook page looking through pictures and posts. It somehow helps me when I’m having a rough time or missing them a lot. I enjoy seeing family members and friends post on her page about something that happened that reminded them of her or that she would have enjoyed- it’s good to see I’m not the only one that still has her on their mind. However I can understand why people in similar situations would not like being able to still see their page and memories and photos and how it would make things harder for them.
Crash on the Bridge:
Driving over bridges has always been an issue for me, I absolutely hate it. Being essentially off ground with nothing but air and water beneath you just doesn’t go over very well with me, especially a bridge that high up. The thought of falling off the bridge and being caught in the car defiantly is a scary one.
The right to die in Canada:
This idea is one that can become very heated. A lot of people strongly agree or disagree with Euthanasia and are very passionate about their view. I am one of those that could argue the case either way, but most of the time I tend to think that it should be an option.
http://www.wlwt.com/news/kyler-bradley-given-superhero-sendoff-as-he-was-laid-to-rest/39065014
ReplyDeleteKyler Bradleys funeral where he was given a hero's send off. I followed his page on facebook and saw the love that some many people had for him. DIPG is so hard to watch take the life of anyone, even if you do not personally know them or the family. Anytime a child dies it is heartbreaking for all. no one ever wishes this to happen to a family.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/04/21/authorities-investigating-death-at-princes-paisley-park/
ReplyDeleteAnother great loss in the music world as Prince passed away.
This is very sad, my mom was devastated because she grew up listening to prince. She has been listening to his music everyday since.
Delete‘Buddy Check on 22!’ Veterans Use Social Media to Fight Suicide
ReplyDeleteI just read this article and I found it very interesting and a very good idea. For those who have not yet read the article, the Buddy check on 22 is basically a way for veterans to check on other veterans to see if they are still alive on every 22nd of the month. I was shocked at the number which was an estimated 22 veterans committed suicide every day in 2010, that is a lot of people. I think it is a great suicide prevention tactic to be able to check in on others, and just for them to know someone cares that you are still alive, you are still here. Its a way for them to get some support, and if someone is going to commit suicide maybe just maybe it will stop them. I think social media is a great area to provide awareness and support. This is a real life saving idea.
Geography’s Role in the Life Expectancy of the Poor - NYTimes.com
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting, I always knew that the rich tend to live longer than the poor and that always made since, but I had no idea that were you lived had something to do with it as well. For example the 40 year old New Yorkers who were in the bottom 25 percent of income have a life expectancy of 81.8 but the same age and circumstances living in Detroit have a life expectancy of 77.7. It is interesting that the government was found to have something to do with this. Government can do things to change this like banning smoking, or raise the tobacco taxes or restrict artificial trans fats this can lead to higher life expectancies. Studies also showed that people who lived in better cities that were more densely populated tended to live longer, maybe it would encourage better exercise by walking more. It is interesting to see what connects with our life expectancy and how big of a difference something you would think to be so small can make.
What I Learned From Tickling Apes - NYTimes.com
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article, it has always amazed me how much apes really are like us. I also agree with the article that we should accept the similarities of the apes with us that is a lot easier then being in denial about them. I think it is really great that apes are so similar to us. I work at the zoo and a lot of times watch the apes and they interact with people and seem to know what is going on. They seem to have feelings and family instincts are really defined. They play, and seem to laugh much like this article says and I think we should accept that. Their brains are similar to us and their emotions are as well, why deny that?
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/us/ohio-shooting-pike-county/
ReplyDeleteHere is an article I found on the killings that occurred in Piketon recently of 8 family members. The family was clearly targeted and it is a tragedy. This is not something you hear about everyday and is scary especially since it is an hour away from my home. Its just something that makes you stop and realize that this could happen to anyone at anytime, you just never know when your life will come to an end so we should live everyday the best we can and spend time with our loved ones while we are still around. You just never know. My heart goes out to the remaining family members and loved ones of the victims.