Quote:
Originally Posted by nostatic
What he said. Every life is precious, but some impact more than others. For anyone who argues that he should have just "turned it around" and his death isn't more important to people, then congrats - you're in the "everyone gets a trophy for playing" club.
There are winners and losers in life, there are talented and untalented, and there are those who are fairly even keel and those who are deeply troubled.
Note that RW had 20 years of sobriety (without intervention) before falling off the wagon some years back. That would qualify as "just suck it up." Then he went to rehab and got sober again - again sucking it up. But his demons ran quite deep.
Anyone who has lived with or dealt with truly depressed and/or truly creative people get this. People focus on the material aspects of his life - "he had it all." That is an external perspective, and has little to do with his real internal life. You may be able to turn your internal narrative around, but realize that you've not everyone. Different people have different abilities and capabilities.
Empathy is perhaps the most important trait to be learned. It is what allows us to live just a bit of other's lives, enables true leadership, and it also can help to keep our own world in check. Sadly it is lacking in our world.
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Nostatic, you always have a way with words and always provide good perspective. I have not always understood suicide or depression but it has touched my life many times... I have had several friends commit suicide and some friends as well as a family member attempt suicide. Each time, they seemed to "have it all". Just shows you material things do not equate happiness and sometimes outside appearances don't match the true internal environment.
I agree with you about empathy. I think a lot of problems in our society would be eased if more if us had it. Love to you.
RIP Robin Williams.