Kevin's Watch

I guess I was just surprised about how much animosity there seemed to be about owen wilson trying to kill himself. i mean, the guy is a freakin actor, not a child molester.

cultural burn out on celebrity.

Cail, maybe Owen shares your sentiments on his own acting ability, and walks around in constant fear that everyone will figure out he's a fraud.

Okay, I know you were just joking, but I only wanted to point out that even people who luck out and become rich/famous (if indeed this is the case) can still have reasons for massive self-doubt and insecurity.

Null, I understand celebrity burn out. But we are still talking about the guy after 4 pages. I think some people enjoy trashing celebrities as much as others enjoy gossiping about celebrities. In fact, I find it hard to distinguish between the two. Negative or positive, it's still an unreasonable amount of involvement over the details of other people's lives.

But since I'm here, I suppose I'm just as guilty of it as everyone else. Ok, I'm going to stop posting here now.

For the record, when I was in my early teens I tried to commit suicide. The reaction of most of those in my life--my "peers" the students and teachers and such--was to laugh and say I was seeking attention.

A twelve year old boy had deliberately slashed his own wrist and they condemned him for it, calling him a show-off. I wasn't rich or famous. I hadn't acted in anything yet. My grades weren't particularly high. But there it was--not compassion for someone in pain, but a sneering judgment. What a jerk, for calling attention to himself.

My experience is that it doesn't matter whether Owen Wilson was rich or famous or anything else. There just isn't very much compassion in this world, sometimes. And that lack is often sheathed in self-righteousness.

You know what? That lack of compassion is a thousand times worse than any bad movie, or any collection of bad movies imaginable. If Owen Wilson were the worst actor on earth, or in history, if every single one of his films were a travesty against art and good taste, even then he'd committed nothing to compare with the instant and smug dismissal of another human beings' pain.

And btw, if Owen Wilson is seeking attention by doing himself damage, then he STILL deserves out compassion in my book.

i think for some people (not necessarily those in this thread or forum) it doesn't really matter about owen's celebrity status; it's more of a reflection of how many people view mental illness, depression, and suicide in general. which is sad b/c many people don't seek help b/c of harsh judgements.

Good post, Zahir. Hard to argue with someone who's been there. And congrats on having the courage today to speak up.

aliantha wrote:Good post, Zahir. Hard to argue with someone who's been there. And congrats on having the courage today to speak up.

Well said.