*new* week of 13-21 Sept
(Medium.com)- “What would happen if we all had discussions with those we love about how we might die, and look after each other when the time comes?” This question is posed by this TED Fellow who found contemplating her own mortality easier after thinking about the end of the universe. https://medium.com/ted-fellows/what-the-end-of-the-universe-can-teach-us-about-dying-6c6fbc1d4686
*new* The Rituals of Modern Death (New York Times) – here’s a nice opinion piece from a cardiovascular fellow on death in the inpatient setting.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/the-rituals-of-modern-death/?_r=1
10 Sept 15 California considers right to die law
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34191038
Are we all work? What does work mean to us? Is it part of our human nature to work?
Rethinking Work - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/opinion/sunday/rethinking-work.html?referrer=
obit
Augusta Chiwy, ‘Forgotten’ Wartime Nurse, Dies at 94 - NYTimes.com http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/europe/augusta-chiwy-forgotten-wartime-nurse-dies-at-94.html?referrer=
30Aug15 Dr. Oliver Sacks, brain scientist and writer, died last week. Here are several tributes
- Dr. Oliver Sacks, Explorer of the Brain - Video - NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/video/obituaries/100000003864214/dr-oliver-sacks-explorer-of-the-brain.html?emc=edit_th_20150831&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714
- Oliver Sacks, Casting Light on the Interconnectedness of Life - NYTimes.com http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/arts/oliver-sacks-wrote-awakenings-and-cast-light-on-the-interconnectedness-of-life.html?emc=edit_th_20150831&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&_r=0&referrer=
27 Aug Marcy Borders, ‘Dust Lady’ Who Survived 9/11, Dies at 42 - NYTimes.com http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/nyregion/marcy-borders-dust-lady-who-survived-9-11-dies-at-42.html?referrer=
Jonathan Martin, Former N.F.L. Player, Says He Attempted Suicide - NYTimes.com http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/sports/football/jonathan-martin-former-nfl-player-says-he-attempted-suicide.html?referrer=
Ex-Broadcaster Kills 2 on Air in Virginia; Takes Own Life - NYTimes.com http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/us/wdbj7-virginia-journalists-shot-during-live-broadcast.html?referrer=
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I'll start here with something from this spring -- an article from the Cincinnati Enquirer about my friend, Joe Neyer. Please read it and comment.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/07/04/joe-neyer-part-one/71038684/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09w3Lv9QiR4
As you are able, you can comment on the death of your fellow student, Mitch Kramer.
After reading about the death of Marcy Borders, it makes me realize that we never will really completely recover from 9/11. Sometimes we think that all the damage was done on that day 14 years ago, but America as a whole is still recovering from it in many ways. Learning of how her health (both mental and physical) was still deeply affected by what happened on that day made me think of all the other scars America still bares.
ReplyDeleteMy children will never have memories that I have of airports. Probably the most insignificant in the aftermath of 9/11, but still a change just the same: being able to get on a plane without TSA, going to the airport terminal for lunch (or to get Starbucks coffee, because that's where the only one was back then according to my mother), or just going to ride the train or walk next to the moving walkway in the winter when it was too cold outside for my mom to take us on walks outside. They won't ever know what it was like to get on a flight without first being suspected of hijacking the plane with a butterknife and a 10 ounce bottle of shampoo. And most importantly, we now have "post 9/11" racism and fear of people from different countries, mostly middle eastern. I think this wound is still fresh and needs to be talked about more.
The Conversation Project is a great way to get people talking. It is not an easy conversation, but it is very necessary in order to give your loved ones what they want at the end of their life. Everyone is different and you never really know what someone wants unless you ask. Assuming you know what kind of care someone wants at the end of their life is almost selfish. We may feel guilty or regret not having the conversation and suffer worse because of this. By having this difficult conversation, we are saving ourselves from the unknown and allowing our loved ones to pass the way they want. It’s never too early to have the conversation because it is very necessary.
ReplyDeleteJoe took the necessary steps to sitting down with his family and ultimately telling them how he wants to die. He understands how important it is to know ahead of time how and where he wants to take his final breath. Just by having this one conversation, he is saving his family from extra unnecessary stress and suffering by talking about it in advance.
It's really crazy because we all (for the most part) expect to live until we're pretty old or at least passed the 50's. Not many people are expecting to die tomorrow or a year from now or even maybe thinking about it at all. I have all these plans and goals it's like I don't have time to die! Not yet! I can settle down and get ready when I'm 90 or when I can't do the things I want to anymore. But it obviously doesn't work like that, things happen. Like I mentioned in class, just this past summer so many young people passed away from freak accidents. These people nor their family could have ever imagined their timeline would end in 2015. We just never know what tomorrow holds for us and just talking about it now can save family and friends some extra trouble.
DeleteHi Anna, I agree that the Conversation Project is a great way to get people to talk about what to do if something tragic happens. I'm not sure most people want to talk about what to do after death at the age of 20, but hearing a lot of people dying young, my parents and I have already discussed what I would want to happen and what they would want to happen if either of us die. We still need to discuss these types of things with my brothers, but getting a start on these kind of things early on helps to ease the pressure and pain that it may cause later in life. I decided that my parents did not need any extra pressure, so I took the liberty of making sure that a conversation like that happened before it was too late.
DeleteIt’s very saddening when you see the effects of 9/11 still prevalent today. Although it is impossible to forget, sometimes I don’t think about the tragic effects the terrorist attacks had on our country. I didn’t think about the people inside the building getting injuries, diseases and sicknesses because of the toxins from the explosions. Hearing Marcy’s story really brings it all back. Although I was only seven at the time, I still remember sitting in class watching the tragedy occur. Reading this article makes me realize how we can forget about those people and the daily battles they have to face each day because of this tragedy. It’s heartbreaking to hear and think about how the lives of the victims and their families drastically changed on 9/11.
ReplyDeleteYes Anna, it is a very sad story. I remember sitting in my classroom while I lived in Buffalo, New York at the time. I watched the teachers burst into tears not knowing at the time that my classmates family members and friends had just been killed. We were all so young at the time of the event and didn't know much of what was going on, but we will never forget where we were and what we were doing while others were suffering.
DeleteI agree Anna. We were young when this event occurred and we did not always read into how much sadness and devastation this has brought upon our country. I cannot imagine being in New York when this was going on. Like Ceanna says above, her classmates family and friends may have just been killed but they were sitting in school clueless. This event will forever affect our country, but it also unites us and shows us how supportive we are of one another.
DeleteIt is terribly sad. I didn't see the attacks happen, but I have, of course, seen the footage. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Marcy. In a moment like that there's the terror of the situation, the struggle to make it out alive, and the worry about loved ones. It really makes you think about how much life has changed because of that one day.
DeleteI would like to talk about the ex-TV broadcaster who took his own life after killing the two current TV broadcaster. The video was very disturbing to see, because you could hear the terror in her voice as he started shooting. Also, when they cut away, back to the news station, the woman sitting there was in shock.
ReplyDeleteI did find this video I'd like to bring to everyone's attention. This video is recorded from the shooters point of view and was later posted on his social media.
WARNING: Shooting shown, but doesnt show anything gross (blood).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRidxuMjWms
Its sad how he stood there for a minute with the gun and they didnt notice him. This makes sense because with Live TV, you arent supposed to focus on things outside of what is going on. It just makes me wonder if I would have notice him or not.
I agree Ellie, I watched several videos of the shooting and interview. I thought it was very heartbreaking and also disturbing to know that he was standing there with the gun and they didn't even run. It is so sad to hear the eight shots that were fired and the screaming of the woman when she got shot. She even says "oh my God" right before the last shot is fired, which is chilling to hear. I thought that the man made a huge impact on the nation by recording this live and also shooting these three people while the news was live as well. And the only reason I say this is because it showed what some people will do to get their point across, the show how much they are upset, and to get some response by their actions. This is terrible and I feel so bad for the other coworkers who worked along side of them because it hits home. Ms. Parker the reporter and Mr. Ward the camera man even had romantic relationships with other workers at the news station, which makes me feel so sad for those people because they had to see this unfold live and they couldn't do anything to help them. The shooter obviously had some issues that he needed to get help with. He said to have had racist comments and comments towards being a black gay man used against him in the news station, which he should have gotten some serious help. Even the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission didn't look into his complaints seriously, which if they did maybe things would have been different. but then who knows? It is just sad to see this happen to such a close community.
DeleteWow I have no words for that video. My heart goes out to their families, friends, loved ones, coworkers and anyone that had to witness that live. Like Eva said, it's so scary to see people take it to that extent and take a video and commit a crime live on TV. We live in a scary world where people have taken things to a whole new level to get attention. Also I did not know the whole story until I watched that video, but like Ellie said, it is so scary how no one saw him lift the gun. They did not even turn or act like they even saw him standing there. It is heartbreaking because he stood there and had time to think about what he was doing and he still followed through with it. This is just a horrible tragedy and I am so stunned by it all.
DeleteI completely agree with you Ellie. The video was extremely disturbing and I almost wish I had not watched it. As I watched it, I felt as if I was watching a horror movie and that the video was just a prank. I could not even imagine being in the point of view of the news lady at the desk as I am sure she was worried that her two coworkers had been harmed.
DeleteI liked reading what you all had to say because I myself haven't seen either of the videos because I knew they would be too disturbing for me. The saddest part was when I learned that the camera man's fiance was watching the broadcast live from the newsroom because she also worked for WDBJ. Heartbreaking.
DeleteIt's scary that this happened over live television. People usually shoot others and try to escape and hide their evidence. This guy did it for thousands of people to see! It scares me to think about what this world is coming to. I, too, would wonder if I would see him aiming a gun at me and in that moment I wonder what I would feel. This is such a frightening thing to think about and imagine. It is scary to feel as if you are not safe in your own work, home or school. It makes me wonder what the world is going to become.
DeleteI am in complete shock after watching several videos online about this live shooting. My heart breaks for their friends, family, and the news station. This shooting makes me think of the Virginia Tech shooting for some reason. Anytime I see a disturbing story, it makes me more aware of my surroundings.
DeleteI'd like to talk about Jonathan Martin, Former N.F.L. Player who attempted suicide. First, I feel a closeness to this article in two ways. The first is having played many different sports my entire life, but having played softball for 14 years now. I grew up loving the game and loved it so much that I continued to play in college. This being said, there comes some ups and downs with playing sports. I have had my fair share in good games and bad games, as well as injuries, joining new teams, and not fitting it. It was especially hard for me when I was growing up. I would be on many different teams in the summer with girls I had never played with before. This is where the "not fitting in" and "feeling left out on your own team" comes in. It wasn't a good feeling at all knowing that you weren't fully a part of your team and that other girls talked about how you played and how you weren't that good. So from his viewpoint on not fitting in with his team, I know how it feels. Secondly, I have had a past of bullying. In middle school and early high school I went through a stage of being bullied a lot because I was a girl and I was playing 3 sports. I was looked at as being a tom boy and not being the normal "girly girl". many of my "friends" had stopped talking to me because the other girls got to them. However, unlike Mr. Martin, I never got to the point of serious injury to myself. I think it was because I had loved the sports that I was playing and also I had a great family who supported me in what I did. Sadly, this happens every second in today's society. The countless new articles on teens committing suicide because of bullying or cyber bulling is outrageous. It is so sad because many people don't have the help they need or someone to talk to. It just makes me mad because I wish people could just be nice and love one another, but that seems to be so hard in the world we live in today.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone, I tried doing this last night and it wouldn't let me publish for some reason so I'd like to make a comment regarding Joe Neyer. I watched part one and a video spanning the last two years of his life. I have to say that it brought tears to my eyes. Not only in a compassionate manner but also in appreciation and thanks for him allowing something as intimate as the end of his life to be filmed. I have a great deal of gratitude for individuals like Joe that show us all that death is just a part of life. I carry the same attitude that quality of life has much more meaning than how long a person lives. The destination is the same for everyone and even though some of us reach that sooner than others, whether young or old, life can pass by without being fully lived. I don't want to live that way. On a personal note, my life experiences are what supports the attitude and outlook that I have about my own life, the things I wish to accomplish, and the wrongs I wish to make right.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about the killings done by the ex-broadcaster in Virginia. I heard about the incident on the way to school the morning that the shooting happened. It’s definitely not something I enjoy hearing, but I am interested in being informed on what happens in the world. It is scary knowing that people can actually follow through with such actions, which is something I could not even imagine happening in my worst nightmares. I understand that the ex-broadcaster, Vester Lee Flanagan, felt discriminated against and sexually harassed, but that gives no excuse for doing what he did. The fact that the shooting purposefully happened while on the air makes the incident way worse. Wondering if the families and friends of the victims were watching the live recording at the time of the tragic event breaks my heart. Some people need to understand that no matter how mad a person makes you, no matter how low your self-esteem may be due to being made fun of, that harming others does no justice for yourself nor anyone else.
ReplyDeleteHi Ceanna, I agree with you that the actions of individuals should not be based on what other people say or do to you, but sometimes the boundaries of right and wrong form a grey area when the person feel threatened or their mind becomes overly clouded with emotions.
DeleteI completely agree. The incident was pretty disturbing and disgusting. I can't imagine what the family and friends felt or are currently going through knowing their loved one was murdered and on camera for the whole world to see. I know the female reporter (Alison) and the camera man were close friends and she was also in a pretty fresh relationship with a fellow news anchor. It breaks my heart even more knowing she and her boyfriend had just moved in together and now she will never walk through his door again. It's terrible. All because one man wanted to make a point.
DeleteAfter reading that Marcy Borders survived 9/11, it really made me think about what it would be like to continue to live after going through such a traumatic experience. She said that during the experience, she could barely breathe and could feel herself choking. She knew in that moment that she was not ready to die. She said that when she got her picture taken with the dust all over, that later on she did not even want to see the picture because she did not want to be a victim anymore. If it were me in her situation, I would feel the same way. I would probably try to move on from the situation and almost try to forget it. I would not want to look through past memories of such horrific times. She has two children and has to continue to live her life and raise them right. I could not imagine the memories that would resurface from this experience and the nightmares that could arise. It makes me realize how blessed I am to live such a safe and protected life.
ReplyDeleteI cant imagine being in the towers as they were on fire or collapsing. To be a survivor is not only a blessing, but you can also look at it in the point of view and ask "Why me". Why was i the one to survive when so many other people died - people that may be better than i was. Sometime survivors must take time, learn from the event and express their story. Almost like survivors of the holocaust - they teach us so much about their story and how it was in their point of view. Although i say these things, i honestly dont know hoe i would react to a traumatic event like that. And i agree, situations like those make me realized that through all my struggles, i am very blessed. Because it can be way worse.
DeleteI cant imagine being in the towers as they were on fire or collapsing. To be a survivor is not only a blessing, but you can also look at it in the point of view and ask "Why me". Why was i the one to survive when so many other people died - people that may be better than i was. Sometime survivors must take time, learn from the event and express their story. Almost like survivors of the holocaust - they teach us so much about their story and how it was in their point of view. Although i say these things, i honestly dont know hoe i would react to a traumatic event like that. And i agree, situations like those make me realized that through all my struggles, i am very blessed. Because it can be way worse.
DeleteI remember seeing all the media coverage of that tragic day in September. i don't remember much about where i was or what i was doing but I do remember that everywhere i went that day, there was an unusual quiet that i hadn't noticed before. I didn't make a connection until later that day about how bad this incident was. It's so much a part of human nature to try to put out of our minds those things that we don't know how to deal with, especially something as traumatic as this. Of course, its much different when it happens to you. I've been through some traumatic experiences as well and I can tell you that its taken a very long time to stop seeing myself as a victim instead of a survivor. I agree Ellie, that it is a blessing to be a survivor of something like this. That victim mentality is just as damaging to us as individuals as the actual experience.
DeleteAfter reading that Jonathon Miller attempted suicide due to bullying by former teammates of the Miami Dolphins, I felt saddened and discouraged. When I think of bullying, I think of it as only occurring in younger ages, not in grown and matured adults. It makes me feel as if bullying is constantly occurring and is never going to be resolved. It saddens me that a person is willing to end their own life due to other people's cruel actions. This guy is trying to do what he loves which is play football, but he is terrified to go to work to play his favorite sport. It also saddens me that he feels like he has to tone down who he is in order to not scare other people. Feeling like people do not understand you is a very tough and exhausting feeling to have. It makes me happy that his attempt was not successful and that he sees a positive aspect of his story. He realized who was truly there for him throughout this whole experience and felt comfortable sharing his story to help other people, especially kids that are getting bullied or are going through a similar situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree Maggie, I too think of bullying only occurring in young adults and not older adults. We often times forget how cruel people can really be. It happens at all ages unfortunately. It's so sad that he felt he had no other option than to attempt suicide. I too am so glad his attempt failed and it's wonderful that he got his story out into the public to hopefully change some of the other thousands of people's minds that have thought about committing suicide. We can only hope that people realize how important they are and how they have a purpose in life. Unfortunately there will always be bullies, but somehow we have to find a way to not allow them to define who we are as persons. It's a lot easier said than done unfortunately.
DeleteIt is devastating to read and see on the news the amount of people who are being shot these days. It seems that some people feel like if they are unhappy about something in their life, they feel the need to take it out on others by using gun violence. I understand that Vester Lee Flanagan II felt as if he was being harassed and discriminated due to his color and sexuality, but does that give him the right to kill two human beings? Sometimes I would like to see what is going through people's minds when they are about to take away a person's life. The fact that he recorded it for the whole world to see, disgusts me. Was there no other way to resolve his anger or frustration? The fact that he committed suicide hours later does not completely surprise me. If I was in that situation, knowing that I was going to be wanted by a lot of people would I end my life? I do not know how a person can continue on with their life after killing other people. It would haunt me. He did what he wanted to do, it must have given him pleasure, and he ended his own life. Was he happy when he ended his life? Did he feel satisfaction? These are the types of questions that wander through my mind.
ReplyDeleteI feel sympathy for Marcy Borders and her family because after a traumatic life event like what she suffered, many things in their lives start to turn for the worst. She probably started out with suffering depression and maybe some PTSD after 9/11, which may have quickly led into the drug addiction, which could have possibly contributed to an earlier death. When looking at the drug addiction combined with the stomach cancer, that may have been too much stress on her body. She is just one of many examples of the victims who survived 9/11, but the ones who survive are not the only ones there should be sympathy for. There are many families who lost someone very near and dear to them and they suffer every day knowing that they wont be able to see them when they wake up each morning. Everyday there are traumatic events and everyday, whether it be traumatic or not, someone dies and another person in the world suffers for the loss. We as people should always try and help anyone who is going through a hard time because we in turn might save their lives and the suffering of another person.
ReplyDeletehttp://video.foxnews.com/v/4460311780001/black-americans-fight-back-against-black-lives-matter/?intcmp=hpvid1#sp=show-clips
ReplyDeleteMichael Whaley speaks against Black Lives Matter. I didn't really understand the #blacklivesmatter deal for a while when I first started seeing it because I didn't understand why it was so specific. Then someone explained to me it was just a commentary on the unfair treatment towards black people. But now not only are we seeing black people being murdered by white people on the media but now it's white AND black civilians killing cops in the name of Black Lives Matter. WHY DO THE TERMS "BLACK" OR "WHITE" EVEN MATTER? It's a human being! Many are protesting against the violence due to color towards black people by using violence against white people due to the same thing. Their color. When are we going to stop bringing skin color into the matter? Innocent people are being taken away from their families. Killing these people because they killed those people isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to start caring for one another. It isn't just black people supporting the black lives matter movement, I think we all know that. But I can see how it's promoting racism because when we see that we are thinking black vs white. Not Latino vs white, not chinese vs black, we just keep focusing on black and white and keeping it in a negative light. We are holding onto this and making it stay part of our culture. I understand it probably started with good intentions but I think it's time to say we all matter.
If a white kid steals gum from a black kid, it doesn't make sense for the black kid to get all of his friends to steal gum from the white kids, right? The problem isn't always about color, that's just what we keep focusing on because that's how they keep headlining everything.
I agree with you, Karen! I think the root of the problem lies in the fact that people don't respect other people, and it's not always dependent on skin color. I think the media is heavily to blame for a lot of this. Though, I'd also have to agree with the article below that Dr. Cate posted that the people who support the "Black Lives Matter" movement (in this writer's opinion) "are not asserting that black lives are more precious than white lives. They are underlining an indisputable fact — that the lives of black citizens in this country historically have not mattered, and have been discounted and devalued."
DeleteRe: Black Lives Matter movement
ReplyDeleteMaybe more history would help explain the movement?
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/opinion/the-truth-of-black-lives-matter.html?referrer=
In regards to Renée Hlozek's TED talk about the death of the universe and reading what she had to say about what she would like for her own funeral, it made me very happy. I've told my family many times how great it would be to be buried under a tree, no coffin, no embalming, just me. Then I saw these tree pods that have been just talk recently where you can actually choose to "become" a tree!
ReplyDelete( http://canyouactually.com/bye-bye-coffins-these-organic-burial-pods-will-turn-you-into-a-tree-when-you-die/ )
Basically you're the fertilizer. But I really loved the idea because I've always just wanted my body to be used for the very best it could be. Why fill the ground with a box to hold my body when I could just give the earth my body? Wouldn't it be a sweeter visit to my tree versus my grave? My friends and family could come and see my beautiful leaves and the sunlight shining through the branches. I think touching a tree would be more personal anyway than touching a concrete stone with my name on it. Hlozek talks about the Mushroom Death Suit which I also found super amazing. So if the tree pods and memory forests aren't legal or an option when it's my time the mushroom death suit sounds like a fantastic option. Her idea of a funeral is very close to what mine has always been as well. I tell everyone I won't allow anyone to wear black at my funeral. I don't want it to be a time of sadness but a celebration of the life I lived. I want to change lives and help people and I would like even my funeral to reflect that. With positive memories to be discussed and awesome photos to be shown and art all over the place.
http://www.people.com/article/Brittany-Maynard-death-with-dignity-compassion-choices?xid=socialflow_facebook_peoplemag
ReplyDeleteBrittany Maynard died Nov. 1st 2014 fulfilling her final vow by purposely ending her own life on her own schedule by drinking a lethal dose of prescription medication. At the time she had become the newest face of the death-with-dignity movement. I remember sharing her story with my class last year after reading "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. That book and her story really opened my eyes to this type of suicide. It gives everyone time to say goodbye and it allows the person to live their final days to the quality they wish. Rather than Brittany letting her brain cancer making her remaining days progressively worse with each day she breathed she was able to pick a day and talk it over with family and friends about her difficult decision and everyone was able to be there for her. I respect her decision and I'm glad she was able to spend her last day being able to walk with her husband. Her story really is incredible and I think you guys should really check it out. It was more than just about convenience it was about quality of life, and for her ending it early was something she felt was her best option.