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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)
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