Astonished and Sceptical

[Roger]

I am becoming disillusioned with this forum.
I have little expertise in most of the areas surrounding the efficacy of most methods, and so I have (so far) given credence to what I have seen written here.
However, I do have some experience of one particular area, and so I am able to see just what a load of drivel gets posted. It must be the same with all areas.
Once scepticism creeps in, you start to question posters, and you gradually realize that they are far from being experts.
I am sure that there are a lot of fantasizing wannabes floating around.

 

[Jean Améry]

That's probably true. How many of us are MD's or specialists in fields related to self-inflicted death? Which is why it's important to do one's own research and rely on credible sources outside of this forum as much as possible.

Since you seem to have experience and knowledge in a particular area perhaps you could stick around and share your thoughts. Improving the quality of information and weeding out myths seems like a worthwhile activity which might perhaps earn one some good karma if one believes in that sort of thing. It may very well prevent harm which is a major goal of this forum after all.

 

[Whatshername]

I do have some experience of one particular area, and so I am able to see just what a load of drivel gets posted.

Like Jean Améry said, maybe you would wish to share your experience to improve the information on this site, and help others if you're dissatisfied with the content.

 

[Soul]

Like Jean Améry said, maybe you would wish to share your experience to improve the information on this site, and help others if you're dissatisfied with the content.

Yes please, @Roger! Any help you can offer will be very valuable.

 

[Roger]

I do not want to encourage nor discourage any persons suicidal act. Here in UK it is a serious offense to assist a suicide, and what is meant by "assisting" can be widely interpreted. Apart from the legalities, I still would not give any information which might conceivably encourage anybody else's course of action, because I don't believe that I have that right. If I stick with the forum I will confine my contributions to pointing out the misconceptions that I see posted.
I am personally in a state of increasing anxiousness and depression, and I am terribly lonely, so I am inevitably drawn to sites such as this. But maybe I should make a huge effort to desist.

 

[Jean Améry]

I do not want to encourage nor discourage any persons suicidal act. Here in UK it is a serious offense to assist a suicide, and what is meant by "assisting" can be widely interpreted. Apart from the legalities, I still would not give any information which might conceivably encourage anybody else's course of action, because I don't believe that I have that right. If I stick with the forum I will confine my contributions to pointing out the misconceptions that I see posted.
I am personally in a state of increasing anxiousness and depression, and I am terribly lonely, so I am inevitably drawn to sites such as this. But maybe I should make a huge effort to desist.

This site does not encourage suicide and it is expressly forbidden to do so in the rules. Providing information by itself is not considered encouragement.

I can't comment on UK law on the subject as I simply don't know it. I would suggest however that if books containing detailed information on suicide methods such as '5 last acts', 'the peaceful pill handbook' etcetera are not illegal in the UK (given that they're freely sold on amazon.co.uk I'd think that's not the case) it'd be highly illogical to consider other forms of spreading such information as 'encouragement to suicide' or 'assisting suicide' and therefore a criminal offence.

Legality aside I don't see how anyone who posts here anonymously could be charged with anything.

Of course you are entitled to your moral sensibilities as is everyone else. Pointing out flaws in logic or correcting wrong information would be useful and would amount to harm reduction which I think is laudable regardless of how one views suicide. Only a sadist would want people to die in pain, end up disfigured...

Whether or not you want to frequent this forum is up to you. If you are lonely, anxious, depressed but anti-suicide there are other forums that deal with those topics and expressly forbid discussions of suicide methods.

 

[Only Me Here]

I am becoming disillusioned with this forum.
I have little expertise in most of the areas surrounding the efficacy of most methods, and so I have (so far) given credence to what I have seen written here.
However, I do have some experience of one particular area, and so I am able to see just what a load of drivel gets posted. It must be the same with all areas.
Once scepticism creeps in, you start to question posters, and you gradually realize that they are far from being experts.
I am sure that there are a lot of fantasizing wannabes floating around.

So you say there is a lot of misinformation and drivel being posted yet don't want to share your expertise and will simply tell everyone whats wrong with theirs? Be part of a solution and educate.

 

[Jean Améry]

So you say there is a lot of misinformation and drivel being posted yet don't want to share your expertise and will simply tell everyone whats wrong with theirs? Be part of a solution and educate.

If that goes against what he believes in he has every right not to tell people how to do it properly. Pointing out errors in people's assumptions that might lead to ghastly consequences would be helpful in and of itself. Of course it'd take that with a grain of salt too as we can't verify his expertise but he may very well have a point here so it'd be stupid not to ask him.

Of course it'd be rather unwise to just accept the word of any stranger on the interrnet and not cross-check it with reputable sources. Such as relevant books written by trusthworthy authors.

 

[Only Me Here]

If that goes against what he believes in he has every right not to tell people how to do it properly. Pointing out errors in people's assumptions that might lead to ghastly consequences would be helpful in and of itself. Of course it'd take that with a grain of salt too as we can't verify his expertise but he may very well have a point here so it'd be stupid not to ask him.

Of course it'd be rather unwise to just accept the word of any stranger on the interrnet and not cross-check it with reputable sources. Such as relevant books written by trusthworthy authors.

He has every right not to of course, but then don't complain and condescend about the forum. Obviously it is up to every person to do their own research.

 

[JWL]

I do not want to encourage nor discourage any persons suicidal act. Here in UK it is a serious offense to assist a suicide, and what is meant by "assisting" can be widely interpreted. Apart from the legalities, I still would not give any information which might conceivably encourage anybody else's course of action, because I don't believe that I have that right. If I stick with the forum I will confine my contributions to pointing out the misconceptions that I see posted.
I am personally in a state of increasing anxiousness and depression, and I am terribly lonely, so I am inevitably drawn to sites such as this. But maybe I should make a huge effort to desist.

You're long on criticism and scepticism (some of which I share) but then basically say you don't want to discuss it!?

Not the most helpful contribution I've seen so far...

 

[Deleted member 1768]

I am becoming disillusioned with this forum.
I have little expertise in most of the areas surrounding the efficacy of most methods, and so I have (so far) given credence to what I have seen written here.
However, I do have some experience of one particular area, and so I am able to see just what a load of drivel gets posted. It must be the same with all areas.
Once scepticism creeps in, you start to question posters, and you gradually realize that they are far from being experts.
I am sure that there are a lot of fantasizing wannabes floating around.

Smile...you are definitely right there Roger. There are, however a number of people who have done 'real' research on methods, and means. These are the ones who tend to supply links to various sites which show exactly how to use the method, and the tools needed. It is VERY important to do your own research...anecdotal reports do not quite cut it.

That's probably true. How many of us are MD's or specialists in fields related to self-inflicted death? Which is why it's important to do one's own research and rely on credible sources outside of this forum as much as possible.

Since you seem to have experience and knowledge in a particular area perhaps you could stick around and share your thoughts. Improving the quality of information and weeding out myths seems like a worthwhile activity which might perhaps earn one some good karma if one believes in that sort of thing. It may very well prevent harm which is a major goal of this forum after all.

Here, here Jean...smile.

 

[Deleted member 1768]

I am new hear, but I have seen some good solid information, however, I have seem a LOT of bad information and it scares me that people may use the bad information.

I rely on the info I have read and researched on PP. I joined this site because I needed to get things off my chest and I'm glad I did.

People should be doing their own research to verify what information they find hear.

Just my two cents

If I could afford it I would give you 2 bucks for the 2 cents you have just used...smile. Good thinking, and well put.

I do not want to encourage nor discourage any persons suicidal act. Here in UK it is a serious offense to assist a suicide, and what is meant by "assisting" can be widely interpreted. Apart from the legalities, I still would not give any information which might conceivably encourage anybody else's course of action, because I don't believe that I have that right. If I stick with the forum I will confine my contributions to pointing out the misconceptions that I see posted.
I am personally in a state of increasing anxiousness and depression, and I am terribly lonely, so I am inevitably drawn to sites such as this. But maybe I should make a huge effort to desist.

It is the same in Canada Roger, and I am very careful as to when I choose to say anything at all. As for not coming on here...well I limit the time I spend here, carefully, and I generally check out the chat first. Sometimes I can even say what I want to...smile. I like that.