tired fools

Apparently the higher the IQ the lower the risk of suicide. That’s the latest findings as published in The British Medical Journal after data analysed from a million Swedish men.

There is a strong inverse association between intelligence test scores and suicide, said Finn Rasmussen, associate professor from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute. Better performance on the tests was associated with a reduced risk of suicide, he said.

Scientists believe that poor test scores could be associated with depression and schizophrenia - two conditions which contribute to suicide. They also believe that it is possible that people with low intelligence are less able to deal with their problems and may consider suicide as a solution.

Interesting since most of the more intelligent people that I know have seriously considered topping themselves at one point or another. Albert Camus, in a book devoted to the subject, (The Myth of Sisyphus) said:

There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest - whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories - comes afterwards.

Thinking about it is one thing, clearing that hurdle may be another.

More suicide news :

A 13-year-old internet addict committed suicide in an apparent attempt to be rid of his obsession with online games.

The letter he left before his death revealed that he could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion and was deeply depressed. He also composed nearly 80,000 words in notes about online games before his death.

Reports suggest the boy had been addicted to online games for almost six months and couldn’t control himself. His parents admitted after the event they didn’t pay enough attention to their child’s mental health.

Parents you have been warned. Though he doesn’t seem from the reports to be such a dumb kid. My own son’s Ratchet & Clank habit looks under control to me, although he has been threatening to “Rip ya a new one” lately.

And yet more:

Controversial as it may be, moviemaker Eric Steel’s yearlong filming of jumpers at the Golden Gate Bridge has succeeded in one respect — it’s kicked open the whole debate about why there isn’t a suicide barrier on what some consider the No. 1 suicide magnet in the world.

Having lived within a hundred yards of another suicide magnet (The Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol) I have some knowledge of these things. I’ve been witness to a few people hurling themsleves off the bridge.

Once a crowd of American tourists clapped one girl as she fell (presumably in ignorance of her purpose). Unfortunately most people drown in the mud. Interestingly of all the people who choose the Clifton bridge as their final departure point, all bar one have jumped facing the city of Bristol. The conjecture is that it’s about saying goodbye. No details available of the individual who faced away. Although I’d be interested if anyone knows . . .