Robin Williams. Source: FoxieFem (deviantART). Click for original.
It has already been 12 days since Robin Williams died. Wow.
In those 12 days we’ve learned a lot. Not so much about Robin Williams (although there was much to learn) but more about how we react to a Robin Williams death. Especially one that was the result of suicide.
Although the overwhelming response has been sad, thoughtful and loving, some among us have taken this as the time to chime in with our own two cents. Two nasty cents.
Henry Rollins, who is apparently someone, asks about Robin Williams, “How in the hell could you possibly do that to your children?”
Gene Simmons, legendary member of the band KISS, decided to wag his tongue in an interview (which attracted the public’s eye following the Robin Williams suicide) and suggested that those who suffer from depression should kill themselves. This prompted the #BanGene hashtag to organically go viral and Simmons has since apologized and shut down his Twitter account.
Shepard Smith, an anchor on FOX News, publicly apologized after calling Robin William a “coward” on air.
Of course, this sort of over-sharing of noxious opinions is nothing new.
Bill Maher isn’t working this August but he did find time to appear on Comedy Central and ask a question I’ve also been pondering, “Do you think social media has made us bigger assholes, or we were bigger assholes and it just exposed us as being that?”
I can’t presume to know what is in the mind of Bill Maher but I think, perhaps, what he’s trying to espouse is a bit of homespun wisdom I learned from my momma a long, long time ago.
Now hold up there, pardner. This is America. We got our first amendment rights and such. You momma may be a fine woman but she ain’t gonna tell me what I can and can’t say.
You see, I got the right to my opinions. Not only that, I got the right to share my opinion, whether it has been requested or not. And now, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and such, I can share my opinions to a larger audience than I could ever possibly reach before. Opinion sharing and thought-provoking content like “Hey look at me!” is basically why social media was invented. I’m a content producer.
This sort of thinking works even better when you fold in a healthy distaste for all things “politically correct.”
What is political correctness? It’s basically the belief that a person has the right to say whatever they want with no consideration to the feelings of other people. If your words hurt another person and cause injury or pain how the hell is that your problem? They should toughen up and not be so damn touchy feely, right?
political correctness
the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.
In other words, political correctness is simply the concept of following your momma’s advice. It’s making an effort not to set apart or cause pain to people who are different or disadvantaged compared to you. It’s being more evolved than the kindergarten playground. Hell, why even be alive if you can’t act like that, right?
The people who seem to spend a great deal of time railing against the perceived injustice and restriction of political correctness are simply doing us all an enormous favor and pointing themselves out as assholes. For this we should be thankful. Can you imagine if they were intelligent enough to remain more concealed?
So we all got opinions and, as we’ve clearly established, we have the right to share them no matter how hurtful and offensive they are. Let ’em fly! Show the world what a great person you are.
“You’re ugly.”
“You’re fat.”
“You smell disgusting.”
“I hope you get cancer and die.”
“Your children are brats.”
City sidewalks could be so much more fun! Why limit this sort of thing to the internet or celebrity suicide? Feel free to say whatever thought passes through your brain to every stranger you meet. What could possibly go wrong?
Reasonable people can choose to disagree on controversial issues. Intelligence allows for more than one point of view. The only thing I don’t understand is the joy and self-righteousness that some seem to revel in when it comes to being a source of pain to other human beings. When did we become like that? Like Bill Maher wonders, is it something new or has it always been this way?
A person has died. What do our reactions say about ourselves?
In life Robin Williams made us laugh. With his passing he held up a mirror to our faces. Do we like what we see?
nudge. wink. report. 
Reblogged this on Blogdramedy and commented:
With Robin Williams’ passing, much has been said about the man on social media. This week on NWR, Shouts holds that social media mirror up and asks…”do we like what we see?” Check out his thoughts over at The Nudge Wink Report.
Well done, Shouts. Well done.
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Thank you for the kind words!
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Shouts, you’ve put into words my thoughts over the past week. When his daughter decided to pull herself off Twitter because of the horrendous tweets and comments, I knew society had sunk to another new low. There seems to be a bottomless pit of nasty developing out there in the swamp lands of social media.
I’m glad I’m on a dry spot. A little island of nice souls. I won’t be asking for an extension of my social media visa to venture too far from where I am now. Sometimes, travel is not all there broadening.
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We were sharing a wavelength and I didn’t know it? Howdy, neighbor. Yeah, how horrible for his daughter. What an unimaginable double-whammy. Losing a loved one is hard enough without the internet taking a shit on it, too.
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Nasty might actually be an understatement. I for one don’t have the words to properly describe what people think they have “rights” for. We’re talking about a serious disease here that is not always understood by most. Many women in my family have been “medicated” for this disease. I lost a sister when she overdosed on hers. My mom tried several years later to do the same and thankfully failed. My daughter has attempted suicide several times and still won’t get on medication because she doesn’t like they make her feel. My best friend lost a marriage and almost his job due to this disease. I personally have had “moments” which I was able to battle through on my own because I had a perception that it’s not masculine or almost weak if I sought help. I was stupid thinking that way. Trust me when I tell you that in those moments you’re NOT thinking of family and friends and who might be affected by your decisions. You’re only thinking about the pain. Right, wrong or indifferent that’s what you think about. But I’m here and I’m glad!
Much love,
Jason
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Great post.
I don’t think social media has made us any crueler than we already were, though it is definitely disturbing to see it on display. I saw quite a lot of empathy after Robin Williams’ death as well, particularly from people who had struggled with depression themselves. But the haters draw attention to themselves. Playground politics at work.
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Thanks! I think I agree with you, too. I bet humanity has been fairly consistent this way. Perhaps the internet works like a magnifying glass making it seem larger than before.
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I love the way that you put that. The internet is a magnifying glass for the world that we wouldn’t otherwise see, and this leads people to think that they can share their opinions everywhere and never give a care as to who sees.
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I would use this comment platform to give my opinion of what a world-class tool Gene Simmons is, but then I suppose I’d be guilty of using the internet to smear a defenseless citizen. Guilty Shmilty; Gene Simmons is a pathetic grandstanding, stale piece of dookie.
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I always turn to Gene Simmons for insightful commentary on the human condition. He said he’s had sex with 4,600 women so he probably knows what he’s talking about.
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Reblogged this on Rum away.
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Thanks! Much appreciated. 🙂
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Nice one, Shouts.
People can be generally evil but mostly stupid.
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Thank you! Perhaps the internet is like a guitar amp. Just a little pluck can make a lot of noise.
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Reblogged this on My Blog and commented:
A very good look at our society and its flaws, especially in our reactions to death and the cause of that death.
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Well, I tried to reblog it, but that didn’t appear to work. Nevertheless, I completely agree with you.
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Reblogging is allowed and I was notified about it. Not sure why it didn’t work but thanks!
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It is fascinating in a bizarre way to see how people perceive the need to say something about the death of another on social media. If you have nothing to say…..say nothing. Great post.
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Thank you for the great comment!
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Bravo for this post.
And for the record, I think we are bigger assholes than we used to be. The anonymity afforded by the internet means we can say the cruel things without seeing the hurt they cause in person. Bad combo.
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Thanks. And you’ve made a very, very good point.
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Very well put! The mirror that Robin Williams has held up to us with his death can absolutely tell us about ourselves, and I for one still like what i see, both here and on my own post on the topic.
( http://wp.me/p4rgwz-12 )
Well done! Liked and following!
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I read your article and really appreciate it. It’s sad how mental health goes so untreated in our society. Thanks for the comment!
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I agree, it’s sad. Hopefully the more we talk about mental illness frankly, the more people will understand and the more light will be shone on the topic.
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First of all, I love your blog. And this post is absolutely on the money, just because we have the right to say things doesn’t mean we always should. The other day as I was walking home from work two seedy looking men were walking in the opposite direction to me. As we crossed paths one of them decided to call me a ‘Mutt’. Not only did he insult a complete stranger but he seemed oh so very pleased with himself for doing it. Is this normal? Gaining confidence and receiving joy from hurting someone’s feelings? Someone that you have never met and should really have no beef with? I still operate under the illusion that if you treat people the way you want to be treated, then that’s what will happen, so I said nothing. But it did get me thinking, are people getting meaner and more brazen about it and if so, why? Is it in fact the fault of social media as everyone seems to believe it is or is the world just getting darker? Anyway, love the blog and especially this post. 🙂
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Has there ever been a society more full of itself than ours? “Hi stranger and well met. You are entitled to my opinion about you.” For the record, I always describe myself as “mutt.” Having the audacity to insult random human beings in passing? Wow. That’s breathtaking. I believe it all comes back to empathy and the utter lack thereof in our society. It should be taught in school along with the three R’s. A lack of empathy is basic ingredient required for acts of cruelty. Most folks only seem to figure out empathy once the shit comes down and them and they need a little from everyone else but by then it’s too late. Your chicken and egg question is a toughie. Personally I think we’re remarkably consistent and have probably always been like this. Social media just puts a nice magnifying glass on it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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[…] Death of a Sperm Ballet Despite the odd title, this is a very well written article asking an important question: What do our reactions to things like suicide and mental illness tell us about ourselves? […]
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I’m a little late for this one but I would like to say, “Bravo!” and “Thank you.” I’m of that school of thought your Momma is and try to always put myself in another’s shoes before I start spewing nastiness just because apparently I have the right to. Freedom of speech often crosses the line into bullying. I know sometimes the line is blurred but if you really focus you will see it. It is just part of being a decent human being.
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