08-13-2014, 03:00 PM
I don't think most people who commit suicide are insane, even though it was a criminal action up until the 60s.
I do think people who commit suicide are mentally ill, though. It's gotta be hell to be so depressed and not be able to convince yourself that you're not helpless to overcome that level of despair. To me, that kind of mental illness isn't a case of not knowing right from wrong or the consequences of your actions. It's about seeing death as more right than continuing to live. It's not insanity.
I am truly sad about Robin Williams. Aside from some people not caring for his brand of comedy or his acting or whatever, it's pretty rare for someone who was a star for so long to be so well-liked and loved across the board. I watched and read a lot of his interviews and, aside from jokes about politicians, never heard him bash anybody else or elevate himself. The man started Comic Relief to help others in need. He walked around and talked to people without any heir about him. He was best friends with Christopher Reeve since they attended Julliard (where Williams was the weird west coast outcast and Reeve was the golden boy) and Williams was with Reeve and his family until the day Reeve died. I remember reading some time back about how long it took Robin Williams to pull himself out of the grief.
![[Image: robin-williams-and-christopher-reeve.jpg?w=551]](http://amradaronline.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/robin-williams-and-christopher-reeve.jpg?w=551)
Robin Williams also entertained the troops a whole lot without ever making a to-do about it -- he just went because he was grateful for their service and wanted to give them something to smile about.
Anyway, I could watch his stand-up all day and thought a few of his movies were great. But, mostly, watching him just think and react unscripted, and be so honest in answering serious questions, made him seem like an exceptionally bright, kind and generous person -- famous or not.
I do think people who commit suicide are mentally ill, though. It's gotta be hell to be so depressed and not be able to convince yourself that you're not helpless to overcome that level of despair. To me, that kind of mental illness isn't a case of not knowing right from wrong or the consequences of your actions. It's about seeing death as more right than continuing to live. It's not insanity.
I am truly sad about Robin Williams. Aside from some people not caring for his brand of comedy or his acting or whatever, it's pretty rare for someone who was a star for so long to be so well-liked and loved across the board. I watched and read a lot of his interviews and, aside from jokes about politicians, never heard him bash anybody else or elevate himself. The man started Comic Relief to help others in need. He walked around and talked to people without any heir about him. He was best friends with Christopher Reeve since they attended Julliard (where Williams was the weird west coast outcast and Reeve was the golden boy) and Williams was with Reeve and his family until the day Reeve died. I remember reading some time back about how long it took Robin Williams to pull himself out of the grief.
Robin Williams also entertained the troops a whole lot without ever making a to-do about it -- he just went because he was grateful for their service and wanted to give them something to smile about.
Anyway, I could watch his stand-up all day and thought a few of his movies were great. But, mostly, watching him just think and react unscripted, and be so honest in answering serious questions, made him seem like an exceptionally bright, kind and generous person -- famous or not.