‘What next?’ is the question, which comes to, one’s mind as one reads of the suicide, which was committed, online Wednesday afternoon and viewed by many. It is not clear whether the viewers realised that they were party to a suicide genuinely or not. The fact however remains that 19 yr old Broward who was a college student and suffered from a bi polar disorder died of an overdose of medicines at his Pembroke Pines house Wednesday afternoon even as the viewers watched him on Webcam
It is believed that he had declared his plan to commit suicide on a website. The website for body builders did not take him seriously. This was not the first time he had declared his intention. On the D-day he put on the Webcam and there was space on the computer where viewers could put their comments and be read. The audience response was varied. Some encouraged him, others dissuaded and yet others were indifferent and discussed the dosage of medicines clinically.
When he took the first dose and lay down there was mild reaction. Some actually joked about it. When it became clear that it was really serious then the police were notified along with the moderator of the website. The moderator tried to locate his house and stop him. Apparently it was too late.
The tone of the messages changed. When the viewers realised he was dying.
His family is horrified and indignant as to how this could happen even after so many people were aware of it. Justin.tv. hosted this live drama .It showed a video image, with a space alongside where computer users can instantly post comments. His sister Rosalind is horrified she says “so that’s 12 hours of watching, they got hits, they got viewers, nothing happened for hours. “Even as the police entered the room, which was also being shown live, the messages were as bizarre as LOL.
Montana Miller, an assistant professor of popular culture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio commented on the suicide and said it showed the youngsters penchant for playing to the gallery “If it’s not recorded or documented then it doesn’t even seem worthwhile,” she said. “For today’s generation it might seem, `what’s the point of doing it if everyone isn’t going to see it?'”
