There are currently some heated discussions on this forum. Personally I try to stay out of it. I have the feeling I should choose a side (or at least take part in it in some way) though I don't feel well. I feel pretty fragile. And the last two arguments where I was involved (I basically started them) were very stressful for me. It felt very bad for my mental health. I don't have the resources to cope with the stress currently. And the debates seem to be very heated. I don't want that in this argument people target me.
I have a hypothesis why there is currently this stress. I don't know whether it contains any truth. But you can share your opinion if you want.
I think these new bills against suicide forums make people nervous. I think they are not passed yet but people seem to be worried. So the external pressure on this forum seems to be increasing.
I think there are two possible reactions when a group/community of a people faces such external pressure. (It is just my feeling i don't have empirical evidence).
1. The unity of the people starts to increase. There is a foreign/outer enemy that seems to threaten the group. The people stand together and reassure them their support. I think this happened quite some times when media reports about this website were published. Though in some way these newspaper articles had an effect on the community which was not intended. A thinking scheme in the form of in and out-group was strengthened. Nuanced criticism of this forum is due to this external pressure more difficult. It can be seen as suspicious behavior.
Moreover the articles were in my point of view not nuanced and resembled black-white thinking. Though most people on this website share this opinion. So we just repeated this sentiment a couple of times. People made nuanced and well-thought threads how this forum helps them to cope with their suicidality. And other people rather reacted maybe in some counterproductive forms. For example people threatened to commit suicide because of these articles.
Okay now to the the second way how groups deal with external pressure.
2. People start to mangle/fight each other. I am really surprised how heated some debates are. I have not really seen such heated debates for a long time in this forum.
I don't want to evaluate whether these heated arguments are the right thing to do. I am just in the position of an observer.
Now I feel a little bit guilty because I fully revoke any statement on these arguments. And it is kind of obvious which heated argument I am mostly refering to. Though I have the feeling it is not only one debate in one thread. It is far more widespread in several threads now.
As most people who read my threads know I am rather the guy who emphasizes to be careful with suicide and people should think this decision well-through in my opinion. If I see something which is in my opinion for example too negative I try to be clear in language but I try to avoid personal attacks. I see them from both sides. Though now I distance myself again (kind of sleezy?). Maybe these ad hominem arguments contain truth or are the best way to handle the debate?
Personally I am not sure whether the argument in its heated form will have such a positive impact. I have the feeling the result of this debate could be better if less emotions were involved and we could exchange arguments in a calmer way. In such a less heated debate I would also feel more comfortable to share my opinion on it. But maybe the argument in its current form is the only way to handle it? I am not sure about it.
What do you think?
I have a hypothesis why there is currently this stress. I don't know whether it contains any truth. But you can share your opinion if you want.
I think these new bills against suicide forums make people nervous. I think they are not passed yet but people seem to be worried. So the external pressure on this forum seems to be increasing.
I think there are two possible reactions when a group/community of a people faces such external pressure. (It is just my feeling i don't have empirical evidence).
1. The unity of the people starts to increase. There is a foreign/outer enemy that seems to threaten the group. The people stand together and reassure them their support. I think this happened quite some times when media reports about this website were published. Though in some way these newspaper articles had an effect on the community which was not intended. A thinking scheme in the form of in and out-group was strengthened. Nuanced criticism of this forum is due to this external pressure more difficult. It can be seen as suspicious behavior.
Moreover the articles were in my point of view not nuanced and resembled black-white thinking. Though most people on this website share this opinion. So we just repeated this sentiment a couple of times. People made nuanced and well-thought threads how this forum helps them to cope with their suicidality. And other people rather reacted maybe in some counterproductive forms. For example people threatened to commit suicide because of these articles.
Okay now to the the second way how groups deal with external pressure.
2. People start to mangle/fight each other. I am really surprised how heated some debates are. I have not really seen such heated debates for a long time in this forum.
I don't want to evaluate whether these heated arguments are the right thing to do. I am just in the position of an observer.
Now I feel a little bit guilty because I fully revoke any statement on these arguments. And it is kind of obvious which heated argument I am mostly refering to. Though I have the feeling it is not only one debate in one thread. It is far more widespread in several threads now.
As most people who read my threads know I am rather the guy who emphasizes to be careful with suicide and people should think this decision well-through in my opinion. If I see something which is in my opinion for example too negative I try to be clear in language but I try to avoid personal attacks. I see them from both sides. Though now I distance myself again (kind of sleezy?). Maybe these ad hominem arguments contain truth or are the best way to handle the debate?
Personally I am not sure whether the argument in its heated form will have such a positive impact. I have the feeling the result of this debate could be better if less emotions were involved and we could exchange arguments in a calmer way. In such a less heated debate I would also feel more comfortable to share my opinion on it. But maybe the argument in its current form is the only way to handle it? I am not sure about it.
What do you think?
Last edited:
