bookofjoe

A heartbreaking work of staggering sadness

That's how I would characterize D.T. Max's long, riveting article in the the New Yorker about David Foster Wallace's amazing journey through life, terminated by his suicide September 12, 2008 at the age of 46.

The piece is compelling reading, taking you as close as you can get if you haven't been there (full disclosure: I have) to what it's like to have your world collapse around you as clinical depression unfurls its talons and proceeds to slowly, inexorably squeeze the life out.

I cannot recommend Max's piece highly enough.

I believe it unfair to criticize or find any fault with either Wallace or those around him — Karen Green (his then-wife/now widow), friends, doctors, therapists, editors, publisher, agents, students — for not somehow preventing Wallace's suicide.

If a person is determined to take his or her life, it is almost impossible to stop them — they will find a way, because inevitably the guard lets down just a little bit and in that momentary window the decisive act transpires.

Having said that, I do believe that it is eminently possible for those who care for a suicidally depressed person to protect them from themselves long enough for the urge to pass.

The only way to make this happen, though, is with very, very heavy medication — to the point of rendering the afflicted individual nonfunctional.

This requires either psychiatric hospitalization or 24/7 observation at home.

A very difficult thing.

Nevertheless, doable.

World's 11 Most Populous Cities in the Year 1000

Binder Clip Desktop Cable Organizer

Reader Addie sent me a link with this hack, remarking "Brilliant!"

Concur.

Gimlet-eyed readers of a certain age will note unusual and and in some cases an unknown connector.

Though Addie sent me this a long, long time ago, its usefulness hasn't diminished one iota.

Trick yours out with colored and patterned clips.