Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site sdcc12.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcc12!wa371 From: wa371@sdcc12.UUCP (wa371) Newsgroups: net.suicide Subject: Ability to exit life at will. Message-ID: <137@sdcc12.UUCP> Date: Fri, 4-Jan-85 05:15:42 EST Article-I.D.: sdcc12.137 Posted: Fri Jan 4 05:15:42 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 5-Jan-85 04:11:19 EST Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center Lines: 30 (Perhaps this will start a discussion.) 1. The ability to commit suicide at will at any time is a fundamental freedom. I once had a nightmare that I was being kept alive by intravenous feeding against my will while being totally restrained. 2. We all commit suicide eventually. Some of us do it sooner by leading an unhealthy lifestyle, others do it later, when keeping the aging body functioning becomes more of a hassle than it is worth. In either case we allow diseases of one kind or another to do the job for us. Therefore, 'committing' suicide could be called a form of taking direct action rather than letting an unhealthy lifestyle or old age do the job by default. As far as methods go, my favorite would be simply to stop eating forever. I once fasted for a long time on just water, when my weight went from 165 to 120 pounds (150 is normal for me). I lost an average of two pounds per day. It seemed then that I could have easily never resumed eating if suicide had been my intention. The support of a courageous friend, or a secure environment, would be mandatory for such an endavor. In this case I tried to solve some health problems but almost went too far. Meanwhile, I aim to enjoy life. Bernd Riechelmann (Not affiliated with U.C. San Diego) ...!ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdcc12!wa371 (UUCP) sdcsvax!sdcc12!wa371@nosc (ARPA)