So today I learned that 1,250 people have committed suicide by jumping over the Golden Gate Bridge since the gate opened in 1937. It’s considered the world’s “top suicide magnet.” Apparently the Golden Gate Bridge is a popular suicide destination because the handrails are only four feet. FOUR FEET?!!!!
Upon learning this news, I’m now terrified of visiting the Golden Gate bridge. FOUR FEET! A stiff wind would blow me right off! “Hey, this is a nice brid…..oooohhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…..”
Inappropriate sarcasm aside, the city is looking at several proposals for bridge alterations in order to deter people from jumping off. The proposals include alterations like placing lengthier vertical bars (8-12 ft) on top of the existing handrails, and adding a net system 20 feet below the bridge. Each proposal will cost $50M to complete.
The last proposal is titled the “no build alternative” and it is the cheapest. This proposal recommends the city do nothing. The logic behind this proposal is that if people want to jump off the bridge, let them jump. If people want to kill themselves, they’ll find a way to do it, barrier or no barrier.
When MN discovered this chilling fact, she found herself in uncharted territory: that of morally ambiguous terrain. Normally, I am a stalwart defender of one side of an issue or another but MN doesn’t have a firm opinion on this one. I think the “let them jump” side of the issue reeks of callousness and insensitivity, but a $50M pricetag to “fix” one of the world’s most beautiful bridges seems a bit steep. Especially since what makes the bridge so unique is its openness, it’s “suspension-cable-ness.” As someone notes, “Do we want to mar it with a constant reminder of humanity’s shortcomings?” But having an easily accessible vehicle for suicide, with its 4 ft rails, seems a lot like handing heroin to an addict. Is it enabling? I dunno?! MN is so confused!!! Does the value of architecture outweigh the human condition? Someone tell me what I’m supposed to think!
What I found even more chilling is the production of a documentary titled The Bridge. This documentary filmed the Golden Gate bridge every day in 2004 and was able to capture most of the 24 suicides that happened that year. Is it just me, or does anybody else find that grossly morbid? Who sets out to deliberately record suicides? In the name of documentary "art"?
But then again, this is also the same society where people’s reaction upon seeing someone driving down the wrong side of Yellowhead trail isn’t to call the police, but to grab their video camera and tape footage of the fiery wreck. So in effect, Miss Nihilist violated her own life rules today: never underestimate how depraved and selfish human beings can be. *slaps her head* DUH.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Did you hear about the University professor who wanted permission to study suicide by seeking out people who are going to commit it and asking them if he can watch and take notes. He's upset cause the university said no. Human beings continue the race to the bottom and humanity suffers for it.
I agree with the statement that a person will commit suicide any way if they really wanted to. But 4 feet only of side fencing is not enough. I think that they should extend the height but I don't think that 50 million dollars worth of extension is necessary.
Post a Comment