Filmmaker films suicide attempts on Golden Gate Bridge

[UdoKier]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/01/24/BAGRFAV3751.DTL

Suicide film renews calls for Golden Gate Bridge barriers

Phillip Matier & Andrew Ross

Suicide film renews calls for Golden Gate Bridge barriers
01/24/2005

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Controversial as it may be, moviemaker Eric Steel's yearlong filming of jumpers at the Golden Gate Bridge has succeeded in one respect -- it's kicked open the whole debate about why there isn't a suicide barrier on what some consider the No. 1 suicide magnet in the world.

Maybe I'm the only person who feels this way, but shouldn't people have the right to end their own lives at the time and place of their choosing? Seems like jumping off a beautiful bridge in a beautiful place may be the ending some people want rather than say, a drawn-out and painful hospital stay.

I've never in my life been suicidal, so I may be ignorant here, but I don't get our society's taboo on suicide...

[Sporadicus]

1. I See What You're Saying, But...

suicidal feelings are often transitory and fleeting, the result of acute depression that can be treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. I would no sooner tell someone in such a condition it's their right to commit suicide than I would tell someone with appendicitis that it's their right to ignore it and die from peritonitis.

I believe the suicide barriers should be erected to discourage impulsive jumpers from taking that leap. That single impediment may make all the difference, allowing the person to reconsider his/her actions long enough to seek help or for the suicidal feelings to pass.

For those with chronic depression or terminal illnesses, however, the barriers aren't likely to make much difference. They've probably ruminated over their individual situations long enough to arrive at a decision - barriers or not. I still don't approve of making suicide any easier for these poor people - and IMO jumping off a bridge doesn't seem very pleasant. The fall - brief as it is - has to rank pretty highly on the 'agony scale.'

[UdoKier]

6. Yeah, I follow you...

But I'm sure there are people who have thought it out carefully and are simply ready to go.

A bottle of pills or a razor blade in the bath lacks the romance of the Golden Gate Bridge.

But there are a million ways to kill yourself. They can't put fences and foam rubber EVERYWHERE. People who want to off themselves will find a way to do so...

But it would be good if there were a way to prevent the impulsive suicide attempts you mention...


I could lose everything tomorrow and be homeless on the street and I would still not be suicidal. Bummed out, but I would find things to do and things to rejoice in. As an atheist, the alternative for me is nothingness, so I'll take something over nothing.

[DrGonzoLives]

2. Sorry, but

the fact that this guy is exploiting these people's pain is just sickening.

[UdoKier]

3. I agree with you there...

nt

[DrWeird]

4. How is he exploiting it?

Is he making an honest documentary on suicide, or is he doing some kind of Banned on TV type exploitation video?

[Minstrel Boy]

5. Toronto installed a life-saving artwork called the "luminous veil"

on the Prince Edward (ie, Danforth) Viaduct a couple of years ago.

Until then, incredibly, only the Golden Gate Bridge had more suicides.