Commit Suicide and Explain It? Sports Writer Does It. . .

[Palehorse]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/sports-writer-commits-suicide-leaves-website-explanation-article-1.1429286

Martin Manley did just that it appears. After a lifetime spent on statistics and sports writing, among other things, Martin decided that 60 years was enough, and on June 11, 2012 went about planning his suicide on his birthday, August 15,2013 of the next year.

Along the way he set up a web site that launched the day he did the deed, and for which he paid 5 years in advance.

And within that web site he documents his reasoning for taking a .380 pistol and killing himself with it on the morning of his 60th birthday, just outside of the Overton Kansas Police station; after first calling 911 and reporting his suicide himself.

I read the entire thing, although the link in the article doesn't work so I don't know if they (the authorities ), have shut it down. . . (Let me check)

Nope: Here it is: http://www.zeroshare.info/home_page/release_of_rights

I first learned of this via a post by Ex elsewhere, (not within this forum), and admit that I clicked on it out of pure boredom. Then I began reading it. . . and could not stop until I got through it all. (I skimmed some of it though).

He put his affairs in order.
Arranged to donate his organs.
Sent overnight packages with gifts to friends, relatives, etc., the night before.
Paid for his cremation.
And a lot of other stuff that is at first glance creepy, but after digesting it for a bit seems logical.

He wasn't sick, he has no children and two ex wives, (Both divorces were on good terms and he remained friends with both ex wives until he checked out). No financial issues or any of the typical drivers of suicide that one hears about, (at least according to him). He just decided it was time to die; before all the typical things that come with aging rendered him incapable of doing the deed, and while he still had some measure of wealth that he could leave to those he felt needed it in life.

If you have some time, give it a read and let me know your thoughts on what he has done; both the suicide and the web site, if you care to.

I thought it had to be a hoax at first, so I Googled it, and low and behold it would appear it is indeed real.

This has to be the most complex suicide note in the history of humankind.

The scary part is that I can see his line of reasoning, and if I were in his position, (and let me assure you I am positively NOT; I have a lot of things to live for; a wife I love dearly, 6 wonderful adult children, and 8 current, with number 9 on the way, grandchildren that the sun rises and sets upon for me), I might actually come to some very similar conclusions. . . (Okay that part is still creepy for me).

[me]

I'll read it when I have time to sit for a while.  I probably won't make it all the way through it from the sounds of it but I'll try.

[libby]

I read some of it and found it depressing so stopped. I thank the powers that be that I was born an optimist with an inquiring mind. I can't imagine deciding I was going to die at 60. I plan to live at least to 100.  I believe we shape our lives by what we think and expect and believe. 

"Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills:--
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking glass."

-- As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen

[Locutus]

I didn't find it depressing.  I found it rather fascinating.  It certainly casts the taking of ones own life in a completely different perspective. 

[me]

I think I'm going to skip reading it because that kind of thing bothers me. 

[Palehorse]

It should be required reading for some folks. There are lessons within that web site that need to be taken to heart !

Like the fact there were siblings still living who carried so little value in his scoring system as to equate to nothing surrounding added value to his life.

The Spector of Alzheimer's was so horrifying to him that ending his life gained value.

That taxation and medical care in the latter portions of our lives serve to eliminate personal possessions, leaving nothing but debt for the survivors; and the choice between medication or generic dog food to feed ones self .

There are a lot of things to learn there, but you have to be willing to read it in order to learn anything.

[me]

It should be required reading for some folks. There are lessons within that web site that need to be taken to heart !

Like the fact there were siblings still living who carried so little value in his scoring system as to equate to nothing surrounding added value to his life.

The Spector of Alzheimer's was so horrifying to him that ending his life gained value.

That taxation and medical care in the latter portions of our lives serve to eliminate personal possessions, leaving nothing but debt for the survivors; and the choice between medication or generic dog food to feed ones self .

There are a lot of things to learn there, but you have to be willing to read it in order to learn anything.

I'm plenty willing to read it but knowing how things like that effect me it's best I don't.  I have enough trouble sleeping as it is without adding that to it.  It isn't any particular problems that causes my periodic insomnia attacks, I think it's part of my chemical make up since I have two daughters the same way, but I don't need anything to help it along if you know what I mean. 

[Locutus]

There are a lot of things to learn there, but you have to be willing to read it in order to learn anything.

Not only to read it, but to also think about it and digest what he's saying. 

[Sandy Eggo]

I didn't find it depressing.  I found it rather fascinating.  It certainly casts the taking of ones own life in a completely different perspective.

I agree and honestly think its wonderful. He weighed everything and made a decision and followed through.

[Henry Hawk]

My opinion is, we ALL got to make our OWN decisions and live or die with them.  He made his, and he went out on his own terms.

[The Troll]

My opinion is, we ALL got to make our OWN decisions and live or die with them.  He made his, and he went out on his own terms.

  I like your thinking Henry.    It's your life and you control it.     Especially when you're sick and tired of being sick and tired and broke. 

  My wife and I put my stepmother as guardians into a nursing home, because my dad was 91 and couldn't take care of her and her daughter wouldn't take care of her.  The nursing home was a good one as far as nursing homes go.  If I have anything to do with it, you won't find Troll's ass in one. 

  Check out suicide by helium on Goggle, very interesting, sure sounds good to me.   

[Locutus]

  I like your thinking Henry. 

[Anne]

OK, I read it. It seems he thought everything through, but it is still depressing for me. He shot himself next to a police station so someone not used to seeing blood and gore wouldn't find him, but I think that knd of blood and gore would still bother anyone, just my opinion. To me, he has a strange attitude toward his sister. He takes pains so she won't be the one to find his body but doesn't seem to consider her feelings toward him. Maybe I missed that part. I'm not sure about the organ donation part either, not sure how long you can be dead (without oife support) and organs still be viable. I agree with Henry, everyone has to make their own choices, but it seems to me to put a low value on life when it is done by someone who is healthy.

[The Troll]

OK, I read it. It seems he thought everything through, but it is still depressing for me. He shot himself next to a police station so someone not used to seeing blood and gore wouldn't find him, but I think that knd of blood and gore would still bother anyone, just my opinion. To me, he has a strange attitude toward his sister. He takes pains so she won't be the one to find his body but doesn't seem to consider her feelings toward him. Maybe I missed that part. I'm not sure about the organ donation part either, not sure how long you can be dead (without oife support) and organs still be viable. I agree with Henry, everyone has to make their own choices, but it seems to me to put a low value on life when it is done by someone who is healthy.

  If you're going to do the suicide thing, don't use a gun, don't use a car, don't step out in front of a car or a truck.  When you do this you hurt strangers and the people who have to clean up the mess.

  Use Helium, it is quick, no mess, no pain, cheap and you can do it at home in your own bed.