Discussion Art Influence

[Electra]

Hi, everyone,

I was wondering whether certain forms of art could influence people to ctb. Like music, literature, maybe movies, even cartoons? For example, when reading a book, where a character is depressed or has some other mental illness, do you identify with them? Do you adapt their character, their emotions or the way they think? Does it influence your view of life or ctb? Does it make you consider their choices and methods? It could be any form of art. I'm assuming finding a character, a novel or anything that you resonate with can influence you so much on the different aspects of life. Do you have something like that in your life?

 

[Forever Sleep]

I love all types of Art. It can affect my overall mood certainly but, it has no bearing on my want to CTB. That came about and remains as a direct response to real life. Art is my distraction. Generally, it helps me to keep living- even the more disturbing pieces. None of them make me want to CTB more.

 

[Namelesa]

Most art I would say hasn't increased my want to ctb, often it decreases it as I feel less alone and more seen and understood by the art and its characters and it can give me hope that things can maybe get better. But there has been one game that has reinforced the idea in me that suicide may be the better option that game being Rain World. Most characters in the plot and lore of the game are trying to find a way to die forever as when they die their consciousnesses goes back to when they last woke up from sleeping. and the main endings for the game are to get out of this cycle and die permanently. I would also say for 2 of the playable characters you play as its best for them to get to these endings as they will continue to suffer greatly if they continue to live.

 

[Electra]

Most art I would say hasn't increased my want to ctb, often it decreases it as I feel less alone and more seen and understood by the art and its characters and it can give me hope that things can maybe get better. But there has been one game that has reinforced the idea in me that suicide may be the better option that game being Rain World. Most characters in the plot and lore of the game are trying to find a way to die forever as when they die their consciousnesses goes back to when they last woke up from sleeping. and the main endings for the game are to get out of this cycle and die permanently. I would also say for 2 of the playable characters you play as its best for them to get to these endings as they will continue to suffer greatly if they continue to live.

Thank you so much for your answer, that's really interesting. I completely forgot to consider video games as a form of art.

 

[Namelesa]

Thank you so much for your answer, that's really interesting. I completely forgot to consider video games as a form of art.

To me I think video games are the pinnacle of what art can be. It can mix audio, visual and interactive elements to create an immersive experience no other medium can do. Video games have power to make you feel like you are in another world and experience what is happening in the game instead of just being an outsider watching what happens so to me video games are the most powerful form of art.

 

[soonnotkoei]

Thank you so much for your answer, that's really interesting. I completely forgot to consider video games as a form of art.

yea i was searching for that option as well, selected other types of art. to me, video games are the best form of art personally.

To me I think video games are the pinnacle of what can be. It can mix audio, visual and interactive elements to create an immersive experience no other medium can do. Video games have power to make you feel like you are in another world and experience what is happening in the game instead of just being an outsider watching what happens so to me video games are the most powerful form of art.

this. one game that does this the best is Detroit: Become Human. ofcourse it should be no surprise coming from someone who has their pfp from DBH, but i think it's the most well put-together games and yes it has influenced me in more ways than one.

 

[Electra]

To me I think video games are the pinnacle of what art can be. It can mix audio, visual and interactive elements to create an immersive experience no other medium can do. Video games have power to make you feel like you are in another world and experience what is happening in the game instead of just being an outsider watching what happens so to me video games are the most powerful form of art.

You explained it so beautifully and poetically, I think I'm gonna try the game you suggested "Rain World". And I agree with you, video games are probably the most interactive form of art.

this. one game that does this the best is Detroit: Become Human. ofcourse it should be no surprise coming from someone who has their pfp from DBH, but i think it's the most well put-together games and yes it has influenced me in more ways than one.

Another game I'll have to try! If it's not too much trouble, could you please describe how playing games have influenced you? I'm so curious whether it caused some deep introspection into your inner world, maybe the themes (like life, death, resilience, etc.) that were touched in the games resonated with you somehow, made you even change something about yourself?

 

[soonnotkoei]

Another game I'll have to try! If it's not too much trouble, could you please describe how playing games have influenced you? I'm so curious whether it caused some deep introspection into your inner world, maybe the themes (like life, death, resilience, etc.) that were touched in the games resonated with you somehow, made you even change something about yourself?

games have made me question about meaning of things. existence, life and death, and such. especially in games where choices you make will affect people around you, whether you decide to care about others' feelings, or not.
sorry if what is wrote is somewhat non-coherent, i am not very good at expressing things (:

 

[Electra]

games have made me question about meaning of things. existence, life and death, and such. especially in games where choices you make will affect people around you, whether you decide to care about others' feelings, or not.
sorry if what is wrote is somewhat non-coherent, i am not very good at expressing things (:

No, I understand you perfectly. It kinda gives you a choice and the materials to be someone else and act accordingly. Makes you experience different things without an actual aftermath.

 

[willitpass]

Music has a very powerful influence on me. I feel the emotion of music get deeply. It even has the power to change my mood, for better or for worse. I have an 8 hour playlist of suicidal songs, as well as a 4 hour playlist of songs that have the power to put me in a good mood.

 

[Heidi48]

Music has a very powerful influence on me. I feel the emotion of music get deeply. It even has the power to change my mood, for better or for worse. I have an 8 hour playlist of suicidal songs, as well as a 4 hour playlist of songs that have the power to put me in a good mood.

1000000% this- thought this was only me. certain songs can change my whole mood. if i need a boost i know what playlist to put on, same with if i need to relax.
Then sometimes i can come across a piece of music on the radio or a movie and it floors you- happened once with a classical piece called "river slows into you" by Yiruma ( and im not a classical fan at all).

 

[willitpass]

1000000% this- thought this was only me. certain songs can change my whole mood. if i need a boost i know what playlist to put on, same with if i need to relax.
Then sometimes i can come across a piece of music on the radio or a movie and it floors you- happened once with a classical piece called "river slows into you" by Yiruma ( and im not a classical fan at all).

River flows in me has always given me a sense of sad longing.

 

[Heidi48]

River flows in me has always given me a sense of sad longing.

it brought me to tears the first time i heard it- still not sure if they were sad tears or not. its says online the meaning behind the song is "to represent the progress of love between two people"
i definitely didn't feel that- more a sad longing feeling like you.
music is felt different to everyone

 

[John_Galt]

I suppose some inspiration was music that gave the times of hardship there own soundtrack, to then look back on through listening to that same song again under a different lens and soaking in the memories of the experience, Both good and bad - The Mistakes made and how to move forward.

Also Eastern media definitely has more of a suicidal and depressive collective consciousness aura (In my opinion), You see much of it in Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Even Russia or India and occasionally here in America, and it definitely has been a starting point for an Inspiration... Welcome to the NHK a classic anime was defiantly one of these - especially that suicide island arc, and how people would be responsible if you went missing suddenly and many more, Paranoia agent, Evangelion, all these and more... For I have pooled over all the psychological/Philosophical Japanimation and found these themes sprinkled throughout and with them they have introduced me to many methods indirectly like charcoal briquettes, hanging, etc.

Even without any suicidal methods within it, you can relate to the struggle of life within these characters and the sombering/powerful music in a playlist and It really makes all the difference.

So it does hold a positive influence on the road to CTB!

 

[dust-in-the-wind]

Famous authors that have cbt'd and their books influence my decision for suicide. Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolfe, Earnest Hemingway, David Foster Wallace.

 

[Electra]

Famous authors that have cbt'd and their books influence my decision for suicide. Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolfe, Earnest Hemingway, David Foster Wallace.

Could you elaborate on how these authors and their works influence your decision? Is it the authors' personal decisions to ctb, the themes and characters in their books, or something else about their stories that resonates with you?

 

[yeahyeahyeahfan]

I didn't know suicide was an option until I saw a TV show where someone said "attempting to kill myself". And it seemed like a really good idea, a way out from all the bad feelings I'd been having. But I'd already been depressed, the show just gave me the words to describe a course of action.

Over the years I've watched and loved a lot of artistic depictions of suicide. But I think it's more that I've had a lifelong desire to CTB, and so I'm drawn to artistic exploration thereof.

 

[Electra]

I didn't know suicide was an option until I saw a TV show where someone said "attempting to kill myself". And it seemed like a really good idea, a way out from all the bad feelings I'd been having. But I'd already been depressed, the show just gave me the words to describe a course of action.

Over the years I've watched and loved a lot of artistic depictions of suicide. But I think it's more that I've had a lifelong desire to CTB, and so I'm drawn to artistic exploration thereof.

That's the same way I learnt about suicide! It was mentioned in a TV show many times, but it wasn't explained and for some reason I just couldn't comprehend the whole idea of it. Eventually when I figured out what it was and what it meant - I was surprised you can just leave whenever you want. It gave me a sense of relief, to say the least.
If you feel comfortable - could you share some of your fav artistic depictions of suicide?

 

[The_Hunter]

Famous authors that have cbt'd and their books influence my decision for suicide. Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolfe, Earnest Hemingway, David Foster Wallace.

from what I've read of Wallace's and Hemingway's deaths, I personally interpreted them as more being driven by biological factors as opposed to "genius exits world on own terms"--because Hemingway suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies (which Robin Williams also suffered from prior to his suicide), and DFW had complications following a medication regimen change; of which he wasn't able to return to a stable balance of. This is just what I've gleaned, though; if you have different interpretations of their deaths feel free to share as well.

 

[EternalLight]

I think it can insofar as our perspectives change with exposure to new experiences. Personally, the kinds of things I enjoy influence me to appreciate living. I prefer thinking positively, even if things are pretty dark in my life.

 

[yeahyeahyeahfan]

If you feel comfortable - could you share some of your fav artistic depictions of suicide?

Sure thing! Off the top of my head, in no particular order:
- the "Needle In The Hay" scene from The Royal Tenenbaums (it's a failed attempt but I rewatch it all the time)
- the montage in Groundhog Day, obviously
- "Blue Sunny Day" by Jonathan Coulton, but you have to know it's about a vampire
- "Jumper" by Odds
- "Suicidal Thoughts" by The Notorious B.I.G.
- the ending of Yumi Nikki
- the opening to the "Madrigal" episode of Breaking Bad
- don't judge me but Motoro's heroic sacrifice in Bionicle still gets me
- the antagonist's exit in Oldboy (original Korean version only)
- the ending of Taxidermia, but it's really intense gore, so look out if that's not your thing
- a minor scene in Catch-22 (both the book and the movie)
- a season one episode of Scrubs has an elderly woman politely refusing further treatment because she's ready to go, and her choice is portrayed really really respectfully
- and believe it or not the Hyperbole And A Half blog post "Depression, Part 2" is the most seen I've felt as a suicidal person, although the author decided not to go through with it

 

[dust-in-the-wind]

from what I've read of Wallace's and Hemingway's deaths, I personally interpreted them as more being driven by biological factors as opposed to "genius exits world on own terms"--because Hemingway suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies (which Robin Williams also suffered from prior to his suicide), and DFW had complications following a medication regimen change; of which he wasn't able to return to a stable balance of. This is just what I've gleaned, though; if you have different interpretations of their deaths feel free to share as well.

Hemingway also suffered mental illness throughout his entire life. He had a strong family history of suicides. His daughter also committed suicide. Plath and Woolfe was also s biological depression. All of the authors have written books that are also depressing.
Old Man and the Sea, Infinite Jest, The Bell Jar, Mrs Dalloway. So I feel their experiences with depression influenced their writings which influenced me.
You are right in none of them were genius exits, but exits because of extreme suffering which I resonate with. If they could CBT, hopefully I will gain the strength to someday soon.

from what I've read of Wallace's and Hemingway's deaths, I personally interpreted them as more being driven by biological factors as opposed to "genius exits world on own terms"--because Hemingway suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies (which Robin Williams also suffered from prior to his suicide), and DFW had complications following a medication regimen change; of which he wasn't able to return to a stable balance of. This is just what I've gleaned, though; if you have different interpretations of their deaths feel free to share as well.

Could you elaborate on how these authors and their works influence your decision? Is it the authors' personal decisions to ctb, the themes and characters in their books, or something else about their stories that resonates with you?

All of these authors have written books with depressive themes and characters. All suffered on and off with severe depressions until they CBT'd. I am also a creative type suffering with severe depression so I can resonate. I draw strength from these authors that if they could CBT hopefully I will have the guts someday soon. Somehow it comforts me.

 

[Electra]

I think it can insofar as our perspectives change with exposure to new experiences. Personally, the kinds of things I enjoy influence me to appreciate living. I prefer thinking positively, even if things are pretty dark in my life.

That's a great perspective to have! Personally, I find comfort in things that resonate with my inner world. Then I feel seen, I find comfort and a safe haven. Idk why but positive thinking makes me feel scared of disappointment.

 

[The_Hunter]

That's a great perspective to have! Personally, I find comfort in things that resonate with my inner world. Then I feel seen, I find comfort and a safe haven. Idk why but positive thinking makes me feel scared of disappointment.

It's wonderful you're able to find that comfort & beauty in life & in your own inner world :) that's one of the things that's really wonderful about art, it's ability to resonate with us and allow us to find comfort and coherence.

I feel that a forced form of positive thinking, that's snappy and unyielding; can indeed increase stress & tension as opposed to cultivating harmony--but I personally believe there is a certain way of hoping, that softly adds color to one's life as opposed to stabbing splotches of dye without proper harmony or pattern. I wish you the best in experiencing resonance and understanding with your inner world ^^ a safe haven of mind is like a sanctuary