[dfc]

Why did it take "a great mind like DFW" to accept how persistent depression is? I doubt you meant it but I found the dfw bit to be offensive. You seem to deny the serious pain and suffering my friend experienced simply because he was not a celebrity and/or had an average IQ? The reason I say it is offensive (and that you did not intend it to be) is that it seems as if pre-DFW you assumed my friend was just not smart enough to out think depression, or that given his mediocore mind/life, depression would not need to be that powerful and persistent in order for him to realize the loss of his life was no big deal.

In my opinion the better question to ask would be "Why is it not okay for depressives to kill themselves?" The taboo is related to a very specific suicide. When an individual has brain cancer it is euthanasia, when the individual has depression it is suicide.

[evanlivingston]

Sorry to cause offense, I understand what you're saying. The news of DFW death was popular here on HN, and I was using him as an appeal to authority.

I wanted to bring up the difference between suicide and euthanasia, I think it's critical to understanding the issue culturally.

[dfc]

I should have said "it could be offensive if I thought you recognized/intended." I have no reason to think you are a bad person, so no harm no foul. The fact that you are thinking about this and asking questions is evidence of a certain level of compassion and intelligence.

DFW wrote a lot of Infinite Jest three blocks south of me and across the street from the coop where I buy groceries. It is still kind of eerie walking by the house with a bag of groceries.

[chaired]

When it happens to a high-profile figure, people grapple with the issues in the public sphere. It raises awareness.