Stuck

Why we can't (or won't) move on from bad jobs, bad relationships, and bad habits, and how we can all move ahead.

Anneli Rufus is the author of many books, including Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto and Stuck: Why We Can't (or Won't) Move On. See full bio

January 15, 2009, Depression

Comments on ""Jump," They Jeer"

"Jump," They Jeer

By Anneli Rufus on January 15, 2009 in Stuck

Perched atop a high ledge on the verge of committing suicide, seventeen-year-old Shaun Dykes seemed -- for a second -- about to reconsider. Consoled by a policeman, Shaun turned away from the ledge and reached out. Suddenly a shout came from the street below. As this terrible scene unfolded in the English city of Derby last September 27, a crowd of youths had spent nearly an hour taunting the distraught Shaun, who suffered from depression and had recently parted ways with his boyfriend. Members of what the Daily Mail calls this "baying mob" had been steadily chanting, "Jump!" and "Get on with it!" Just as Shaun reached toward the policeman, someone down below hollered: "You're wasting taxpayers' money." Abruptly Shaun said, "It's gone too far," shut his eyes and jumped. As was revealed at the inquest, which was held today, members of the crowd filmed and recorded the incident on their cell phones, later posting the footage at Facebook and YouTube. Read More

This goes beyond being an

Submitted by anonymous on January 15, 2009 - 4:19pm.

This goes beyond being an issue for just our "youth" I think that many adults over the age of 24 would respond the same way. As sad as that is, It is easier for them and there are certain individuals who will always call someone's bluff. Yet, what's at stake is a life that is hanging in the balance.

it isn't only teens/young adults...

Submitted by S on January 15, 2009 - 11:43pm.

I think this is a symptom of a larger problem in our society. The chronic problem of abuse and abusive relationships - in childhood, pre-teen, teen/tween years, adulthood and the elderly population is another symptom.

I am not proposing any solutions - I'm not equipped for that, but I am saying this behavior is part of a larger underlying issue.

We seem to be creating an increasingly large populace of narcissists and/or psychopaths - self-centered people who lack any empathy or conscience regarding others or the world around them - and who do not consider the consequences of their behavior. When combined with a mob mentality, it's bound to result in situations just like this one.

My thoughts on causes...

Submitted by John Walt on January 16, 2009 - 8:02am.

I really think this is a result of more and more disconnect in our every day interaction with other people.

Since the advent of television, it seems as though technology is only creating ways of communication that are not intimate. Text messages and e-mail for instance make it so that people no longer have to be as responsible for what they tell people. They can instantaneously change their minds. Then, the fear-mongering in our political system creates a level of distrust. I think things are moving too fast for our emotions and rationale to keep up and I hope that in the future we will get back to a time of concern for others and connection.

Those instances make me sick to my stomach.

"wasn't me"

Submitted by Becky on January 16, 2009 - 1:04pm.

I think it's partly due to our society's total lack of personal responsibility. If you slip and fall on some ice, that apparently has nothing to do with you choosing to wear stillettos in January, but the owner of that property is surely responsible for your fall. Mockers and jeerers of suicide vicitims feel such disconnect from thier own resposibility in the death, it's not even a matter of feeling guilty. Likewise, the person commiting the suicide is blaming all of thier unhappiness on external forces and other people. Perhaps a bit of internal soul searching could do us all some good.