Bill Zeller: A Suicide Letter

[RobinFinderson]

Bill Zeller, a recently deceased Princeton grad student, blogged his suicide letter before taking his own life. I wouldn't usually want to read a suicide letter, but once I started browsing this one, I couldn't stop reading. It is a dark letter, one that goes to some dark places, but by the time I finished it, I felt as if I could understand the darkness that can haunt victims of childhood rape much better than I could ever have understood it before. The letter is a tour through abject human despair. It is a difficult but educational (and interesting) read.

Somewhat separate from the main section of the letter, Zeller rants about the misery brought on by his religious upbringing. That part is interesting too. The dude is very smart, and the writing is good. I imagine that it is a rare thing for someone in such a terrible emotional state of existence to be able to articulate the depths of that condition so well. I can't help but feel like this letter has real value.

[Tim]

Bill Zeller, a recently deceased Princeton grad student, blogged his suicide letter before taking his own life. I wouldn't usually want to read a suicide letter, but once I started browsing this one, I couldn't stop reading. It is a dark letter, one that goes to some dark places, but by the time I finished it, I felt as if I could understand the darkness that can haunt victims of childhood rape much better than I could ever have understood it before. The letter is a tour through abject human despair. It is a difficult but educational (and interesting) read.

Somewhat separate from the main section of the letter, Zeller rants about the misery brought on by his religious upbringing. That part is interesting too. The dude is very smart, and the writing is good. I imagine that it is a rare thing for someone in such a terrible emotional state of existence to be able to articulate the depths of that condition so well. I can't help but feel like this letter has real value.

I read the whole thing yesterday and found it to be incredibly compelling and heartbreaking. God bless that man to finally have some peace.

[scottie]

Wow.

[clackamascoug]

I could relate to a lot of what he was saying. I wasn't sexually abused, but I used to get whipped with little brown UL approved electric cords till I was 12. I'm still mad about those days, but nobody cares.

[Green Monstah]

That's awful. As someone who loves people who understand Zeller's pain all too well, I can't help but wonder if we should exercise restraint when disseminating his suicide note. I know I'd feel awful if my brother read this and decided to follow suit.

[old_gregg]

That's awful. As someone who loves people who understand Zeller's pain all too well, I can't help but wonder if we should exercise restraint when disseminating his suicide note. I know I'd feel awful if my brother read this and decided to follow suit.

he was afraid of his family putting the kibosh on it, and he states that he wants it made public.

[Green Monstah]

he was afraid of his family putting the kibosh on it, and he states that he wants it made public.

Thank you for re-stating the decedent's desires. That doesn't mean it's a prudent thing to do.

[old_gregg]

Thank you for re-stating the decedent's desires. That doesn't mean it's a prudent thing to do.

i'm not even sure how to respond to this, other than to say that he was clearly able to rationally calculate the outcomes of his decisions to the end, and the pain of his family should not supersede his final wish.

[Green Monstah]

i'm not even sure how to respond to this, other than to say that he was clearly able to rationally calculate the outcomes of his decisions to the end, and the pain of his family should not supersede his final wish.

I'm not sure what the hell you're talking about, so that probably means I'm going to agree to disagree with you. I don't care about his family or their wishes, quite frankly, my chief concern is copy cats.

[old_gregg]

I'm not sure what the hell you're talking about, so that probably means I'm going to agree to disagree with you. I don't care about his family or their wishes, quite frankly, my chief concern is copy cats.

what's with the wadded panties? you think because a letter providing a unique insight on to the psychology of suicide is published people will kill themselves? that's stupid.

[Green Monstah]

what's with the wadded panties? you think because a letter providing a unique insight on to the psychology of suicide is published people will kill themselves? that's stupid.

People in similar positions? Yes. My very best friend is going through the same thing right now. He called me a few months ago and said he had just held a gun in his mouth for an hour but couldn't shoot. If he reads this, yes, I'm going to be quite concerned.

[old_gregg]

People in similar positions? Yes. My very best friend is going through the same thing right now. He called me a few months ago and said he had just held a gun in his mouth for an hour but couldn't shoot. If he reads this, yes, I'm going to be quite concerned, asshole.

that sounds awful, and i extend my sympathies. suicide is incredibly difficult to prevent and deal with on every level. but to say that this letter should not be published is wrong. it provides unique insight into the thought process behind what is perceived as the ultimate irrational act, and is a compelling indict of how many american families operate. should we prohibit kurt cobain's diary from being published? hunter s. thompson's note?

[Commando]

I actually think it's helpful to read this note. He is very articulate and it is because of his ability to express himself clearly that the folly of his reasoning for killing himself becomes apparent. He would rather die than spill the beans to a therapist and potentially get better because of an admitted pathological trust issue? It sounds so foolish and short-sighted to someone on the outside looking in that one with a similar dilemma could gather perspective from this particular point of view.

[Green Monstah]

I actually think it's helpful to read this note. He is very articulate and it is because of his ability to express himself clearly that the folly of his reasoning for killing himself becomes apparent. He would rather die than spill the beans to a therapist and potentially get better because of an admitted pathological trust issue? It sounds so foolish and short-sighted to someone on the outside looking in that one with a similar dilemma could gather perspective from this particular point of view.

Maybe. But, I'd venture to guess that someone who is teetering on the edge of suicide may overlook his shortsidedness and instead cling to Zeller's somewhat romanticized notion that suicide will end his suffering.

[Solon]

Maybe. But, I'd venture to guess that someone who is teetering on the edge of suicide may overlook his shortsidedness and instead cling to Zeller's somewhat romanticized notion that suicide will end his suffering.

I believe that suicide will end one's suffering.

I also believe there are situations where suicide is a justifiable option.