This story has me feeling conflicted. On the one hand, I would love for people to read my blog daily. On the other hand, I don't want people to watch or read for the wrong reason. Which brings me to this story... a college student committed suicide on his web-cam, as internet users watched. The student, Abraham Biggs, suffered from Bi-polar and manic depression. Read on:
"A college student committed suicide by taking a drug overdose in front of a live webcam as some computer users egged him on, others tried to talk him out of it, and another messaged OMG in horror when it became clear it was no joke. Some watchers contacted the Web site to notify police, but by the time officers entered Abraham Biggs’ home, a scene also captured on the Internet, it was too late.
Biggs, a 19-year-old Broward College student who suffered from what his family said was bipolar disorder, or manic depression, lay dead on his bed in his father’s Pembroke Pines house Wednesday afternoon, the camera still running 12 hours after Biggs announced his intentions online around 3 a.m.
It was unclear how many people watched it unfold.
Biggs was not the first person to commit suicide with a webcam rolling. But the drawn-out drama and the reaction of those watching was seen as an extreme example of young people’s penchant for sharing intimate details about themselves over the Internet.
Biggs’ family was infuriated that no one acted sooner to save him, neither the viewers nor the Web site that hosted the live video, Justin.tv. The Web site shows a video image, with a space alongside where computer users can instantly post comments."
What have we become? My prayers go out to Mr. Biggs family.
No comments:
Post a Comment