So, who watched the Terry Pratchett thing last night? What did you think?
I found it pretty moving. I was slightly surpriised that they actually showed the death but I think that was the right thing to do as it's not something that should be taboo.
I find the accusations that it somehow 'glorified' suicide or that we would suddenly have a rush of people deciding to kill themselves pretty stupid.
What say you?
I'd like to hear the counterargument more fully.
But it would be nice to be able to choose where and when to die, if only for the sake of everyone else you leave behind, because they can suffer a lot of disruption by being held in limbo waiting for the inevitable.
I remember someone recounting a party she'd been to, which was throw by a guy who was dying of cancer. He turned up for a few minutes, then said he had to go, climbed into a waiting ambulance and waved goodbye; that was it, the last they saw of him. What a way to go.
I watched it and thought Mr. Pratchett seemed genuinely interested in the stories behind the people involved.
I think he was a bit shocked when he realised that if he chose this course of action being an alzheimers sufferer, he would have to carry out the process sooner rather than later because the poison must still be self-administered.
The bravest person, I thought, was Peter's wife. She remained supportive & matter of fact & saved her tears till he was unconscious.
Not keen on legalising assisted suicide but the English courts have laid down a compassionate and sensible set of guidelines while keeping legal safeguards.
This means all suicides will still be investigated but in cases where a friend or relative has reluctantly helped someone to die, they do not have to go through a traumatic murder trial when it is obvious they acted out of compassionate reasons.
I suspect the judiciary confronted this issue not out of great wisdom but because politicians have stuck their head in the sands while the general public in the form of juries has moved ahead and will now almost always acquit people where the is no question of foul play.
Quote: Nogget @ June 14 2011, 10:08 AM BSTI'd like to hear the counterargument more fully.
Agreed. But I find that a spurious criticism to make of Pratchett's programme last night, which several people seem to be making.
Fair enough, you'd expect a documentart about assisted suicide generallly to be balanced but that's not what he was making. He was making a show about people who had decided to go through with it because it is something he has also been considering.
He was telling people's stories, not making a case for suicide.
BBC4 are showing a programme tonight about botany, specifically photosynthesis. I'm pretty sure that will mostly talk about plants and stuff and not present a 'balanced' viewpoint from people who don't like plants.
Lovely, but a pointless.
I mean if you can only consent when you have cognisence, what about those who have lost their cognisence and can't meaningfully consent?
Quote: Afinkawan @ June 14 2011, 11:19 AM BSTBBC4 are showing a programme tonight about botany, specifically photosynthesis. I'm pretty sure that will mostly talk about plants and stuff and not present a 'balanced' viewpoint from people who don't like plants.
But these plants are uncontroversial, aren't they? Or have they been genetically engineered to deliberately kill? If so, I'd like to hear all about that. However, I'm not criticising the show; I just want to know the counterargument.
If you're going to kill yourself, lethal injection seems like a pretty soulless way to do it.
Why not do something exciting like jump off a cliff or, even better, out of an aeroplane? Imagine the rush!
Or suicide bombing?
Personally I'd like to fight a grizzle bear man et ursine.
Only problem being if I won.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ June 14 2011, 12:08 PM BSTWhy not do something exciting like jump off a cliff or, even better, out of an aeroplane? Imagine the rush!
Imagine the mess!
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ June 14 2011, 12:08 PM BSTIf you're going to kill yourself, lethal injection seems like a pretty soulless way to do it.
Why not do something exciting like jump off a cliff or, even better, out of an aeroplane? Imagine the rush!
A heart attack on the job will do
Quote: youngian @ June 14 2011, 12:50 PM BSTA heart attack on the job will do
Probably quite painful though. With the cliff idea it's over before you know it.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ June 14 2011, 12:55 PM BSTProbably quite painful though. With the cliff idea it's over before you know it.
Not really, you would have quite a few seconds to reconsider on the way down.
Opening a vein in the bath has always struck me as a dignified way to go; it is said to be rather relaxing, the mess justs go down the plughole, and you are left with an intact, if rather pale, corpse for the wake.