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The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

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Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#61

Post by warfangle »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #37
warfangle wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Racism requires oppression, as it's a systematic way of oppression based on race. Are Inuits (or gp's comment) coming from a place of power where they can oppress white people? No? Then that comment wasn't racist, fuckwad.

Redefining words like Racism is a common tactic of social activists to create an in-group and "all the other idiots". I reject that artificial redefinition. We all understand racism. Its when somebody puts somebody else down based solely on their race. That's it. The other stuff has other names, like "institutional racism" for instance.

Getting upset about the definition of words when they don't fit your privileged view of the world is a common tactic of those in places of privilege when equality seems to attack their base of privilege.

You don't understand racism at all. That's not even the dictionary definition of it. Any of the dictionary definitions of it.

Racism is believing that one race is superior and basing the oppression of other races upon that belief.

Thus, the oppressed cannot be racist. They can be intolerant or bigoted or any of many other things; but they cannot be racist because they are not coming from a position of privilege to even be able to oppress.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#62

Post by noonespecial »

julianpye wrote: post #10

I love, love, love Greenland. Best place I have ever been to. When I was spending time in Tasiilaq, I was told that the breakdown happened because of the fallout from the Greenpeace activities against seal clubbing in Canada. This destroyed the market for fur products and led to social welfare from Denmark and alcoholism. Anyway, when in Greenland it is politically correct to eat seal and whale, once you find out how…

Don't know why, but the idea that there is a place where "Epic Rap Battles of History" might be a real thing fills me with so much joy.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#63

Post by warfangle »

ekianjo wrote: post #58
warfangle wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When people are really depressed, they don't kill themselves. Because they have no energy to. Once they go on antidepressants, they go on suicide watch. It's the most dangerous time. Because they'll still be depressed, but they'll finally have the energy to get up. And they just might have the energy to do themselves in.

> Once they go on antidepressants, they go on suicide watch. It's the most dangerous time. Because they'll still be depressed, but they'll finally have the energy to get up. And they just might have the energy to do themselves in. Not sure if you can really generalize this much. There are several studies studying the effect of antidepressants on suicide rates, and it's true that some of them seem to lead to more suic…

They often lead to more suicides _at the beginning of treatment_, but less suicides in the long run.

That's why hospitalization is often necessary when beginning treatment for depression when that depression includes suicidal ideation, but is not necessary for the duration of treatment.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#64

Post by sevenless »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #24
dirktheman wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, the title doesn't say it will tell you why the suicide rate in Greenland is so high... Fact is, it isn't completely clear why the rate is so high. Rapid modernization, decades of Danish control, a disappearing culture/way of life and lack of mental health facilities can all be named as factors. Sorry were annoyed and feel like you've wasted your time on a well written, well researched human interest piece…

Suicidal ideation (as well as completed suicide, of course) is known to be higher in the indigenous peoples of Canada than in the white population. I have seen it advanced that the eskimo tradition of suicide by walking out into the wilderness if you're a burden on your family probably has something to do with this. This is mildly in conflict with the finding that there's more suicide in Greenland in summer than in w…

It might simply be that being from a hunting culture implies less squeamishness about killing and having the means readily to hand. It's obvious to suspect gun ownership as a factor.

Doctors have a very high suicide rate, and some of that is due to their knowledge and ability to kill themselves properly.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#65

Post by toyg »

warfangle wrote: post #61
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Redefining words like Racism is a common tactic of social activists to create an in-group and "all the other idiots". I reject that artificial redefinition. We all understand racism. Its when somebody puts somebody else down based solely on their race. That's it. The other stuff has other names, like "institutional racism" for instance.

Getting upset about the definition of words when they don't fit your privileged view of the world is a common tactic of those in places of privilege when equality seems to attack their base of privilege. You don't understand racism at all. That's not even the dictionary definition of it. Any of the dictionary definitions of it. Racism is believing that one race is superior and basing the oppression of other races upo…

I'll bite: it seems like you don't understand racism at all, either.

A society split in "race-based" groups that co-operate towards common goals on an equal basis is still "racist". There are no oppressed and no oppressors, but the concept of "race" is still built-in and hence produces a racist society. (For the record, there are several examples of this sort of approach in history, some even ongoing.)

The only way to avoid this trap is to reject the concept of "race" as anything that you can meaningfully define. This has to be done by everyone, be them oppressed or otherwise.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#66

Post by deathcakes »

Aaargh20318 wrote: post #36
dirktheman wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, the title doesn't say it will tell you why the suicide rate in Greenland is so high... Fact is, it isn't completely clear why the rate is so high. Rapid modernization, decades of Danish control, a disappearing culture/way of life and lack of mental health facilities can all be named as factors. Sorry were annoyed and feel like you've wasted your time on a well written, well researched human interest piece…

>To be fair, the title doesn't say it will tell you why the suicide rate in Greenland is so high... It is highly suggestive that it will though. > Fact is, it isn't completely clear why the rate is so high. Then why bother writing an article about it at all ? > And yes, sometimes you need to know just the bare facts. No, I always want just the bare facts. Anything else simply isn't relevant. You may call it "well res…

Sounds like a pretty empty way to approach life. You've never considered that reading more around a subject than just the facts might open the way to greater insight? Or are you genuinely of the opinion that everything in life can be expressed in bullet point format?

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#67

Post by ihsw »

wille92 wrote: post #59

Whenever I read about tribal communities coming into modernity, I can't help but think that our "first-world" culture gets a lot wrong. These communities seem to have a deep sense of narrative--you're a part of a greater cultural story, a spiritual story that's connected with place, nature, and family. There is a journey laid out for you rich with sacrament (e.g. the rite of passage to become an Inuit hunter in this…

That's the idea -- that society is rigid whereas this one is open. Some people can't handle the openness, they just want somewhere to fit into.

Setting aside predictable culture clash, the fundamental issue is misaligned standards and expectations. Some communities need strong male leaders that everybody can orbit around, and there are none. They're all just trying to help people get by when there's more to life than just surviving -- it's about wanting more.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#68

Post by dwaltrip »

Aaargh20318 wrote: post #36
dirktheman wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, the title doesn't say it will tell you why the suicide rate in Greenland is so high... Fact is, it isn't completely clear why the rate is so high. Rapid modernization, decades of Danish control, a disappearing culture/way of life and lack of mental health facilities can all be named as factors. Sorry were annoyed and feel like you've wasted your time on a well written, well researched human interest piece…

>To be fair, the title doesn't say it will tell you why the suicide rate in Greenland is so high... It is highly suggestive that it will though. > Fact is, it isn't completely clear why the rate is so high. Then why bother writing an article about it at all ? > And yes, sometimes you need to know just the bare facts. No, I always want just the bare facts. Anything else simply isn't relevant. You may call it "well res…

A short list of facts doesn't tell the whole story. They are barren and lack deeper context. They can be understood academically, but sometimes that is shallow, clinical, and doesn't reveal the true nature of something, just a simplistic, factoid level idea of it.

A story is a series of facts, but can provide a richer understanding sometimes, as one can build a cohesive picture in their mind.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#69

Post by logfromblammo »

julianpye wrote: post #54
logfromblammo wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't help thinking that if all world conflicts were resolved by rap battle, the US would be even more belligerent. What? You thought the East Coast versus West Coast divide was bad? Marijuana as export-controlled munitions? Colonel D-o-double-g and General Dre?

But consider the Bush family vs. Saddam as a rap battle...

This is a little far off-topic from arctic suicides, but I just can't resist.

Bush I: Oh, hello, Sad-um, I didn't see you sitting there. / But isn't this where / Kuwait used to be? I can see, maybe, / you got a little lost on your way to the market, / but driving 'round a tank, there's just never anywhere to park it / is there? / I'm a'let you finish, 'fore your mic starts gettin' mossy, / Just wait a couple minutes as I introduce my posse. / Hit it, Jaber.

Jaber III: Howdy, neighbor. Sure is good to see ya visit. / Err'body 'round here know you just a whiz at / throwing a party, / but ain't nobody like the guy that's fartin' / in the punch bowl.... / Hang on, slow down, I think I'm feelin' dizzy. / Gotta pass my mic to MC Saad, up in this hizzy.

Saad: Saddam, my man. Together on the stage at last. / Allow me to express my rage at the actions of your dumb ass. / This is my house, and you disrespectin' me? / Time to take your friends and make your exit, please. / Git gone, sucka.

Hussein: Y'all betta chill 'fore this come to a boil. / I'm only here 'cause I'm followin' my oil. / You don't think I saw your drilling rigs take / they straws out to drink my effin' milkshake? / You drink it right up. / And I'm a'gonna light up / your ears, with my rap of justice / as we discuss this / slant drillin' across my border. / You gonna need to order / a giant check, and put my name / on it, and there betta be the same / number of zeroes that I'm expectin'. / Cuz I don't need a phone to call on you, collectin'.

Re: The Arctic Suicides: It's Not the Dark That Kills You

#70

Post by jpreiland »

warfangle wrote: post #61
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Redefining words like Racism is a common tactic of social activists to create an in-group and "all the other idiots". I reject that artificial redefinition. We all understand racism. Its when somebody puts somebody else down based solely on their race. That's it. The other stuff has other names, like "institutional racism" for instance.

Getting upset about the definition of words when they don't fit your privileged view of the world is a common tactic of those in places of privilege when equality seems to attack their base of privilege. You don't understand racism at all. That's not even the dictionary definition of it. Any of the dictionary definitions of it. Racism is believing that one race is superior and basing the oppression of other races upo…

>redefine a word

>expect others to follow suit

>"win" arguments when they don't understand your new terminology

Let me try

You don't understand oppression at all. Oppression is when you put flower petals between pages of a book to flatten them. Thus, humans cannot be oppressed.

is it working?

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