Crap.

Pain controls us. We should not try to control it.
Pain should be endured to it's own bitter end.

It's just as ridiculous of a notion as killing yourself because you're experience an unheard of level of pleasure. No one does tis.

These two sensations are our overseers. We should not meddle in their affairs. We shold not go where we have not yet been invited.

The band Suicide is not crap.

As for the act of suicide, I think of it as the ultimate selfish act. This doesn't qualify it as "right" or "wrong," but it is undeniably selfish (this rules out sacrificing oneself--that's martyrdom, not suicide).

Suicide is the diametric opposite to inspiration. It's not that you can't go from the latter extreme to the former (I can think of two rock musicians from the top of my head, both of whom have last names that begin with "C")... but the act of suicide immediately creates the inverse situation of what your life was when you were doing those inspiring things. Maybe it's spurned by the sputtering out of that inspiration, in some cases...

Is it possible to find someone's suicide inspiring? That sounds impossible to me..

You don't just "take your own life"--you take your life away from everyone who knows you, anyone who cares about you... anyone who might care for you.

Camus once wrote that suicide is the ultimate philisophical question, and ended up reasoning that life is worth living, if only because it continues the absurdity of our existence.
I think, outside of terminal illness, you should keep trying. Everyone has it rough from time to time, but the prospect of cutting my life short scares me.

A close friend of mine decided to exit during his first year of university. He took a can of petrol to a barn in a field near his home, showered himself in the stuff and struck a match.

He was a extremely bright man, and I trust his judgment on this matter (as I had on other matters). Although it was desperately sad for his family and friends, I have to vote NOT CRAP since to vote otherwise is to doubt his conviction.

For 6 months or so, I worked nights at an accident and emergency department in a small hospital. Every weekend would bring people (usually women) who changed their minds after taking over-doses, and were desperately fighting for life having (often irrevocably) damaged their internal organs. This is CRAP.

I only endorse euthenasia... and, as a half-Jap, I have a certain conceptual attachment to seppuku and honor-suicide.

But suicide to escape emotional pain? Crap. You're supposed to fucking fight. Tooth and nail.

Suicide is the most contemptible form of cowardice. I loathe it.

You can't just dismissively gloss over its effects on all those left behind. One brings PERMANENT grief and emotional trauma to one's loved ones for a permanent relief to a temporary pain? Bullshit. Self-indulgent cowardice.

The only exception I draw is euthanasia to end intractable physical suffering from disease or injury, and that decision should involve said loved ones so that they're grief is recognized and not spat upon as just an unavoidable and transient side effect of one's decision. Bah. Pisses me off just thinking about it.

As for existence...the point isn't our effect on the universe. It's our effect on one another. We're all connected, all one, and I mean that in a very real, ecological sense, not some Sedona, crystal-rubbing bullshit. Suicide is a big, whiny, my-suffering-is-unique middle finger to everyone who's ever cared about you. Fuck that.

i don't know if it's always such a contemptible act.

my own personal experience with suicides has been limited to two occasions. once the result of prolonged mental illness and the other was to avoid the agony of a terminal illness. i remember being sad on both occasions but in a way glad that they were not forced to suffer for any longer than necessary. obviously, i consider myself to be pro-euthanasia.

when i was being treated for cystular cancer and it reached the stage where i was dramatically under-weight, my hair was falling out and my gums were rotting there were certainly points where it didn't seem like such a bad idea. certainly, if i had taken a further turn for the worse i would probably have found a way out rather than having to endure such a humiliating death. obviously, nearly five years later i'm glad i didn't entertain the idea further.

For those against suicide, what do you think of those who are in general good health and functional, but live in constant, chronic pain?

they are called 'democrats' in america sir.