4 ms·

He was, as I have read, a disturbed young man who maybe sadly wasn’t quite psychologically ready to be a Gandhi figure—should he have realized this ahead of tim

He was, as I have read, a disturbed young man who maybe sadly wasn’t quite psychologically ready to be a Gandhi figure—should he have realized this ahead of time? This, to me, gets to the heart of the matter. Aaron meant well, but he lacked strategy and was unprepared for the psychological tactics of the DOJ. Especially since I've read from numerous sources he suffered depression. As the law was bearing down on him, he was fighting a battle within him. He had no refuge.

RyanMcGreal 14y ago
An essay by Aaron's girlfriend, Taren Strinebrickner-Kauffman: http://tarensk.tumblr.com/post/42260548767/why-aaron-died http://tarensk.tumblr.com/post/42260548767/why-aaron-died
- Kylekramer 14y ago
  While I respect her opinion and understand that she knew Aaron very well, I don't really see why we should trust her opinion on whether he was depressed. Way too close to the issue.
  - sp332 14y ago
    Depression is not (yet) characterized by any physical cause. The only definition of clinical depression is a set of behavioral symptoms. If he didn't have those symptoms (even in retrospect), then he wasn't depressed. "The diagnosis of major depressive disorder is based on the patient's self-reported experiences, behavior reported by relatives or friends, and a mental status examination." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression
    - Kylekramer 14y ago
      Sure, but you will never find a clinician who would base their depression diagnosis based only on behavior reported by a significant other. Especially immediately following a suicide.
  - specialist 14y ago
    What evidence would convince you that Aaron was depressed?
    - Kylekramer 14y ago
      Taren is arguing he wasn't depressed, or at least that the prosecution was the main cause of his depression. I would mostly look for evidence that presented itself before the suicide, with a preference for self report.
  - waterlesscloud 14y ago
    What evidence do you have that he was depressed, other than hearsay and guesswork? Why is that more reliable than direct statements from someone who lived with him?
    - Kylekramer 14y ago
      I don't have any evidence nor claimed he was depressed. I was commenting on the reliability of significant others' post suicide reports. If I cared to investigate, I would look at almost anything else than her report for reliable evidence. His writings, statements made during his lifetime from those close to him, etc. The sheer amount of things that could color her post (laying blame outside of Aaron, refusal to believe someone she loved and lived with was that unhappy, continuing his battle posthumously, etc.) make it hard to lay much persuasive value in her report.
- j_s 14y ago
  > If [...] would Aaron have killed himself on January 11? > The answer is unquestionably no. I appreciate a willingness to share a unique perspective on something so intensely personal, but I did not see any value in the article's chosen hypothetical situation over any other: dropped charges, never downloaded all that stuff, been committed to a mental institution by caring friends, etc.

RyanMcGreal 14y ago

An essay by Aaron's girlfriend, Taren Strinebrickner-Kauffman: http://tarensk.tumblr.com/post/42260548767/why-aaron-died http://tarensk.tumblr.com/post/42260548767/why-aaron-died

Kylekramer 14y ago
While I respect her opinion and understand that she knew Aaron very well, I don't really see why we should trust her opinion on whether he was depressed. Way too close to the issue.
- sp332 14y ago
  Depression is not (yet) characterized by any physical cause. The only definition of clinical depression is a set of behavioral symptoms. If he didn't have those symptoms (even in retrospect), then he wasn't depressed. "The diagnosis of major depressive disorder is based on the patient's self-reported experiences, behavior reported by relatives or friends, and a mental status examination." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression
  - Kylekramer 14y ago
    Sure, but you will never find a clinician who would base their depression diagnosis based only on behavior reported by a significant other. Especially immediately following a suicide.
- specialist 14y ago
  What evidence would convince you that Aaron was depressed?
  - Kylekramer 14y ago
    Taren is arguing he wasn't depressed, or at least that the prosecution was the main cause of his depression. I would mostly look for evidence that presented itself before the suicide, with a preference for self report.
- waterlesscloud 14y ago
  What evidence do you have that he was depressed, other than hearsay and guesswork? Why is that more reliable than direct statements from someone who lived with him?
  - Kylekramer 14y ago
    I don't have any evidence nor claimed he was depressed. I was commenting on the reliability of significant others' post suicide reports. If I cared to investigate, I would look at almost anything else than her report for reliable evidence. His writings, statements made during his lifetime from those close to him, etc. The sheer amount of things that could color her post (laying blame outside of Aaron, refusal to believe someone she loved and lived with was that unhappy, continuing his battle posthumously, etc.) make it hard to lay much persuasive value in her report.
j_s 14y ago
> If [...] would Aaron have killed himself on January 11? > The answer is unquestionably no. I appreciate a willingness to share a unique perspective on something so intensely personal, but I did not see any value in the article's chosen hypothetical situation over any other: dropped charges, never downloaded all that stuff, been committed to a mental institution by caring friends, etc.