Martin Manley

So have you heard of him yet? A KC Star statistician/sportswriter who committed suicide today and left behind a website that went live after he did it. It's gone viral, with lots of people discussing it on Reddit, Slate and elsewhere. His original, prepaid Yahoo site was taken down (ironically, someone took that control from him that he wanted so badly), but it's mirrored here:

http://www.zeroshare.info/home_page/release_of_rights

Great read, wandering through it, if you're interested. The executive summary is that he turned 60, was afraid of dementia and being a burden on society, and just wanted to be remembered differently while he had the control to make people remember him so.

He is not particularly admirable to me.  I prefer Former President  Reagan's approach.

Thanks, LC, for posting this. I didn't know Martin Manley, but have come to appreciate him.  I haven't read all the segments, but what I read is very good.  Fortunately or unfortunately, I went through a similar (and I only mean similar) process when I wanted to commit suicide.  My story, "To Beirut and Back" includes this incident. 
I don't condemn Martin Manley for what he did, in fact I applaud him for the courage it took to do it. 
Standing on the outside looking in we form opinions about right and wrong.  Only when one is in a situation can one understand the rationale.  We can justify most anything if we want.  How can one have regrets with death? 
I liked the reference to the Star Trek episode.

He could have made a real impact in the forty years he had left.
Why think only of himself?

Abe, I am glad you chose to live.
Your legacy to your children is very important.

8/17/2013
                     This is depressing ! I have a friend I help who has Alzheimers, I don't
                      know anyone who wants to live like this.....It's a horrible disease....

                                                              Joe

What If is a no win game.  He was not sick and had no reason to kill himself.

I will forget him very easily. 

If he had done something for somebody he would be more interesting to me.

You are shockingly heartless!

 The executive summary is that he turned 60, was afraid of dementia and being a burden on society.


He was sick and wanted to go out on his own terms. He did something for a lot of people.

You clearly didnt read his essays. He was NOT sick. He was increasingly forgetful and assumed it was onset of dementia. Unless that's what you mean by sick. Not sure what was heartless about my post. I don't support or not support what he did. His business, and I respect that.

That was a reply to Alice, not you LC.

Oh, ok. I don't see what was so admirable about how Reagan went out, either. Unless you think there's nobility in suffering and helplessness. Reagan also had extraordinary resources that most of us don't.

I think Manley will influence a lot of people, for better or worse.

Harold,

Quite clearly I expressed my opinion and not yours.

But  I only know what I think and I do not admire people who commit suicide.  It is against my religion.

Sorry!

Furthermore, I also have considered it and have decided against it.  I have had Parkinson's for over 17 years and would save my husband a lot of work were I  to kill myself, but I ain t' going to do it.
I would have missed a  lot of fun and am curious to see what happens next. 
 
Even God can't help you if you kill yourself.

Remember that.

Give God a chance

No one need agree with me--this is what I think.

Opinions reflect the experiences and beliefs of the person expressing them.  I believe those left behind suffer.  Each person, however, has their unique spiritual experience to guide them. If they are of sound mind, their choices are not mine to judge.

It is important, however, that we communicate our wishes and beliefs to our loved ones and have them on paper for our health care providers, witnessed when we are of sound mind.

.

Good responses.  Alice, regardless of cures and illnesses, I think there comes a time (just guessing) when one has had it and wants it to be over.  The reasons are personal and there are many reasons from financial to illness.  Planning, as what Manley did, was good.  He left no one in financial straits.  I think we all hope to have someone who cares enough to miss us.  Sorrow is also part of life. 

We either enjoy our life or don't.  Perhaps someone is proud of their life and hits a wall with nothing left to achieve (desire to achieve).  Qutting while ahead may be the incentive for some.  All we can do is second-guess the reason someone decides to end it.

.

He didnt have any kids, tho, and didnt appear to be close to his siblings. You're you, he was him.

LC,

You are so right, but 162 people have viewed this thread.  I have no idea of their age or situation.
I just want folks to know that things can change.
Young people may be discouraged because they can't find a job--the economy may pick up. Older people may be upset over job losses  They are not alone. 
 
One man killed himself over the oil spill.  What or who did  that help?  I want people to stay alive and enjoy their lives and if they feel compelled to end it all, get help.

Suicide is, in my opinion, not an admirable action.  I cannot condone it or recommend it.

I used to do Dr. Kevorkian jokes in my comedy act. Then he died.