Quiet if rather cold day out here, the weatherstation at the airport (3 miles away) reports 3C / 37F. My father, over in Holland, sent me pictures this morning showing a blanket of snow. Much like we had in Stornoway 4 weeks ago. Not today - it is just overcast with little wind.
Mainland Scotland is affected by heavy snow, which makes driving very difficult. Further south, a warm front which will come in off the Atlantic is expected to bring black-ice and freezing rain on Sunday. This will herald a change to milder weather. It's late November, so what do you expect.
Once more, suicide by chatroom has reared its ugly head. A young man, aged 19, had announced he was going to take his life, which he proceeded to do live on webcam. For hours, he lay motionless in front of his camera, before the moderator of the chatroom was notified and police were called. Although some chatters had tried to dissuade the victim, others had egged him on to go for it. Just goes to show what some people are like. It also goes to show how a chatroom serves to de-personify people, by making them less like real people.
I read the story about the webcam suicide in today's newspaper. What a horrid, tragic story. I think you're right about the depersonification of people...it's happening online, so it's not quite real or true. The fact that some people egged him on is just appalling to me. I wonder if anyone will be prosecuted in this?
ReplyDeleteBest,
Beth
So sad about the boy who killed himself. I'm appalled that people actually egged him on! Sick. I hope someone is caught for doing that.
ReplyDeletePam
I think in this case anyone who encouraged him, didn't say anything or try to get help for him...all of them should be held accountable for this young man. We live in a world that is truly desensitized to any moral standards or compassion. It's time for us to say enough, we are more than this. (Hugs)Indigo
ReplyDeleteHow sad!
ReplyDeleteWill keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugsxx
Incidences like these are what makes it sad that AOL did away with Hosts and Guides 2 years ago...The paid for moderation service that took over was rubbish in comparison...As Hosts/guides we had specific training to do with suicide threats am just glad i never had to put any of it into practice
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to cry that people actually egged him on. A life is so precious. Why do so many teenagers take their lifes?
ReplyDeleteI was so distraught & sickened to hear about the suicide - how awful and how anyone could have sat by and do nothing is beyond my comprehension.
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