Compared to people I encounter on other forms of social media,

[Walilamdzi]

A lot of the people here are very articulate and erudite. Does anyone else think so?

 

[Notwinnernotawin]

That's because here we have people from all ages, other popular social media like Facebook or Twitter is mostly filled with young people just lol'ing (guess I just invented a word) at stuff. And here we're always talking about one serious matter: our lives.

 

[VabeniPokojneTmy]

That's very interesting point. I agree with tiredofsuffering that seriousness of the topics here may be the cause.

 

[mediocre]

So true! and I think being a small community of a few hundred regular users helps as well. It's like a small intimate group.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

The level of ignorance I see on twitter generally astounds me. Though if I use Twitter of Facebook I'm generally very selective of friends/following.
People here tend to have had reality come crashing down around their ears. It kind of puts other stuff into stark relief.

 

[Mr2005]

Well I'm not one of them but I'm not an idiot either and that tends to lead people here (not always mind, depends if they're genuine). I envy those who can put their thoughts into words so effortlessly, I don't think I'd have the energy even if I had the ability. Easier to just start hating them instead

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

Yes, I agree with the OP.

Death and suicide are not just practical subjects, but philosophical. Good philosophy seeks to understand and employ the practical. And philosophers tend to be or to become articulate and erudite by practice. Some call them navel-gazers to diminish or negate them, since others may feel small around them, but they are compelled to see the surface and delve deeply underneath. Suicide on the surface in culture does not at all reflect what is underneath, and when it comes to such a personal act, going deeply may help to shake off what culture imposes to be ultimately free.

Stoic philosophy (and other philosophies, I'm sure) considered death the great equalizer, as well as the greatest freedom from the impositions of life, and I see that reflected on this forum by those who are less articulate or erudite, making it a true equalizer regardless of social status, education, intelligence, wealth, opportunities, etc. The Stoic philosopher Seneca considered suicide to be a justified act for both the wise and foolish; he only delineated the difference between wise and foolish motivations, and even the foolish could have the same motivations as the wise.

As others have commented here, suicide is a serious subject. It requires a lot of thought, if not about one's reasons for pursuing it, then for how to go about it. The articulate and erudite are drawn here to work their stuff out just as much as those who would like the forum to be a like a fast food drive-thru window for the easiest and most affordable options; the latter find it is not so, and often discover they have a lot more to work out than just the method, like location, letters, how others will be impacted, etc.

Overall, I think it takes a degree of awareness and therefore intelligence (which is not the same as erudition) to even contemplate suicide when most societies are so blindly, non-rationally opposed to it. It takes awareness and intelligence to disagree with the popular norms, and bravery to do so. Nearly every person who considers suicide is brave, because there is so much to face and overcome.

 

[Close_to_freedom]

Intelligence leads to suicide. The intelligent see the writing on the wall and are jumping ship in droves. The stupid will inherit the earth. Good riddance.

 

[choosingmydestiny]

Not a big fan of social media. it"s too bombarding. especially instagram and twitter.
I do like some tv show discussion groups on facebook or some youtube channels x