David Foster Wallace and the question of the suicide

IYI
This is a good article about David Foster Wallace:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/magazine/14wwln-Wallace-t.html

But there is no substitute for reading David Foster Wallace himself.

I've included some of his writing with my favorite listed first.

Infinite Jest:

http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Jest-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0316921173

Also IYI...This is the Infinite Summer. A world wide readers group are tackling Infinite Jest this summer. It started June 21:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIcPEl4eZ2A

Quote about depression from IJ:

"It is a sense of poisoning that pervades the self at the self's most elementary levels. It is a nausea of the cells and soul."

Consider the Lobster:

http://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lobster-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0316156116
Article only:
http://www.lobsterlib.com/feat/davidwallace/page/lobsterarticle.pdf

Quotes from "Consider the Lobster":

"Can the decision to be less selfish ever be anything other than a selfish decision?"

AND

"So then here is the question that's all but unavoidable...Is it all right to boil a sentient creature alive for our gustatory pleasure? A related set of concerns: Is the previous question irksomely PC or sentimental? What does "all right" even mean in this context? Is it all just a matter of personal choice?"

I'm also including his book on infinity because, even though it wasn't very well reviewed, it's one of my favorites because in it he gives a complete [if slightly disjointed] overview of the history of infinity in math and philosophy:

http://www.amazon.com/Everything-More-Compact-Infinity-Discoveries/dp/0393326...

[And since I obsess about infinity too, I really enjoyed the bumpy ride the book presents.]

Good video of him reading his work...Warning: 26 minutes long:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwS5pEfcQNk


Finally, and sadly, I'm posting his obituary:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/artic...

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• David
• Foster
• Wallace
• infinite
• summer
• suicide

[janeapproximately]

(cont) David Foster Wallace suffered, but can you imagine him engaging others in this pathetic who-is-hurting-more contest, even after years of growing up as he did, feeling the pain he did, and being misunderstood, as he was, and is to this day? If he were alive, he'd regret every failed suicide attempt he'd ever made, and likely try again, because that is what people of staggering substance do. They look at the people who are really sick and wish they didn't have to look.

[2bsirius]

@janeapproximately

This comment section is a descent into a depressive parading of wounds.

The genius of DFW's writing has been lost in the display of symptoms and voyeurism. I made this video one morning because I had just finished rereading Infinite Jest and was in the middle of "Oblivion". His genius was mingled with his sensitivity to life's ordinary cruelties. It's unfortunate that his biography is being used as a springboard to wallow in depression, something he would not have wanted imo

[janeapproximately]

It is sad that so many people (even though this is YouTube and what more could be expected) talk of depression, suicide, and attempted suicide on the simplest of terms when, really, they are the most profound things. I find that if one really suffers (or suffered) from depression one wouldn't feel the need to wave this fact around proudly, like a "look-how-fucked-up-I-am" flag, as though it's a form of contest, who can be or feel more shitty, who can loathe themselves more. It's sickening.

[2bsirius]

@goodvibesallround

I became very depressed when I was 18 & I remained depressed until I was in my twenties. I know how serious it can be. I did not drink or take drugs during this period, but it was still horrible. I've slowly worked my way back to the surface of things. I understand how debilitating and crippling depression can be

Still, it's possible for time to ameliorate depression. I hope that's true for you. I was simply expressing my PREFERENCE that DFW had given time more of a chance.

[goodvibesallround]

@2bsirius I've suffered from depression for many years and i'm only 24. You have no idea (unless you've experieinced it) what it's like. I used to combat depression by drinking very heavily but it only temporarily helped.

[2bsirius]

Correction:

Makes YOU want to give up...

[2bsirius]

@goodvibesallround

I understand why someone would choose to commit suicide. In this video I was simply saying that it was tragic IMO for someone with the genius that DFW obviously had to make that choice. I was NOT saying he did not have the power and prerogative to do so. That's not the point. Ovbiously he did

As for you, if seeing that that species is "pretty fucked up" makes to give up then do that. Some people want to work to do what they can to unfuck things. It's you choice and theirs

[goodvibesallround]

You can;t see what would drive a person to suicide? Look at the world around you.....were pretty fucked as a species.

[Theomastus]

You simply cannot judge a person's decision to end their life unless you ARE them.

I have battled clinical depression since I was 12 years old.

I have, many, many times come close to ending my life.

I have great empathy for David, and only wish that a man that touched so many people so deeply had not become trapped within his own mind in the way I suspect he did.

RIP David, you are deeply missed.

[futurret]

there are many lives for each person on earth. you don't have to die to escape yours.