The Case Against Russian Roulette
The reason this is a bad practice, in addition to what said, is that it (1) encourages self harm, (2) spreads misinformation, (3) harms the community.
We can see the slippery slope practically in front of our eyes: one member tried 1g to sleep, the other followed. In the last week only we have seen people taking sips, a mouthful, a spoon, etc -- and others saying they plan to follow. The number of "testers" could reach dozens over months. Some of them may die (we don't know what happened to Lara Francis). It's not SN/SS fault or ours, these people wanted to try SN at their own responsibility, and probably wanted to die. But it's not a positive phenomenon when people play "Russian Roulette".
I was almost the only one that wholeheartedly accepted MysticPerception "SN Roulette", in sharp contrast to most people. So I'm not coming with a pre-determined position, on the contrary, I understood and accepted that practice (be it mere "testing" or "maybe ctb"). That what makes me write this. Because I fully understand where this comes from. And I pay attention to how these things roll over time.
While people self harm while cutting their wrists, taking OTC, abusing opioids, hanging themselves, etc, those are sporadic cases of individual decisions based on one's own resources, tools or prescriptions , not well discussed here (or often). The case with SN is different . It also has unique features , background , and practice .
While many reports of fast recovery and little discomfort calm down members , other reports create undue anxiety . And they have in the past . We still discuss "SN chocking" all the time . People still ask about "being blind" after taking SN . Why? As more anxious members "try" SN while in severe emotional distress and experiencing strong survival instinct or harsh physical sensations -- we will get more of the latter type of reports . I like having a full spectrum of information , for good and for bad , but as we can see misinformation is easy to spread (all with good honest intents!) .
As for danger , in 2018 PPH suggested SN dosage of 5g . I assume some of it interacted with stomach juices (say 1g) , some was vomited (say 2g) , so fatality rate was not high . But it was still fatal . If that 3g that reached intestines was an "official" way to ctb (although allegedly unreliable; increased x5), playing with 1g-2g is indeed dangerous. One member that can withstand this dosage does not guarantee another will . And this is why I call it a Russian Roulette. It does not mean members have intentions to play with death , I'm not speaking for other's state of mind and intentions , but for all practical reasons an incident of "testing" SN is indeed a Russian Roulette.
As clear from what I wrote , I'm fully aware of why members do that , and I am fully aware of this practice providing some information that "helps" other members . I'm aware that many here self-harm as it is . I'm aware this is an individual responsibility , decision , and freedom . I'm aware of all of that . Everything has "pros and cons" , and I'm just presenting the case . I do not feel alarmed . But I can definitely see a reasonable path of events and incidents for this practice to snowball (as described above) . Things here on SS were much worse , in terms of 'general vibes' following certain events and practices , so I'm not very alarmed . I don't see any disaster happening . But I think we can do better and improve .
The SN discussions here are unique in content, volume, and scope . While a determined reasonable decision to ctb can be defended , playing with poison and self-harm , when it reaches dozens of members and spawn discussion and interest -- can't . We are not just "individuals" but a community . Even if you do not feel part of it we affect each other , both inside among us , and outside for other readers .
* I'm not into debating but raising awareness . I'm not stating facts or predictions , I'm calling people to be aware of possibilities . I'm not saying what to do , or what not to do . I do not have any suggestions or advices . I know some of you like to debate , or simply defend your position , I'm really not into it :)
