heartbeatocean said:

I wonder if there's a natural pull to it as well. When I'm up there it's a weird feeling, like I can feel myself going over. It's hard to not imagine it, sick as that sounds.

Like people attacking the Mona Lisa, for example, because it causes a psychological crisis in them.

NDRU said:



how strange!

heartbeatocean said:

specifically, the theory behind the story related to me was that the smile of the Mona Lisa is that of a mother to her child (just a theory, of course), and yet there's a subtle sexual quality to it, and that that causes some to freak out, as if their mother is giving them the eye right there in front of everyone in the Louvre
[Edited 5/7/09 10:45am]

NDRU said:

I need a shower after that theory. Ewwwww.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

I know, people love to read into that painting. It's most likely just a picture of a woman, right?

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

I know, people love to read into that painting. It's most likely just a picture of a woman, right?

NDRU said:

I heard they finally figured out the real-life identity of Mona Lisa, just last year!

NDRU said:

I heard they finally figured out the real-life identity of Mona Lisa, just last year!

NDRU said:

...or Da Vinci in drag? Heehee. Another rumor.
[Edited 5/7/09 10:57am]

heartbeatocean said:

I wonder if there's a natural pull to it as well. When I'm up there it's a weird feeling, like I can feel myself going over. It's hard to not imagine it, sick as that sounds. If I was more unstable, those feelings might be harder to ignore. Of course I only go to the bridge with tourists, not because I'm suicidal, so your question still stands--specifically, what brings a suicidal person to the bridge?

But there are stories of certain objects causing strange reactions. Like people attacking the Mona Lisa, for example, because it causes a psychological crisis inside them.

These iconic places/things are magnets for us & since we tend to not see them every day (maybe we see the bridge every day but we don't walk it every day) it causes extreme reactions in people, like when they see Sanjaya in person.
[Edited 5/7/09 10:39am]

heartbeatocean said:

Her identity.

Lisa Gherardini, a member of a minor noble family of rural origins. She later married a wealthy Florentine silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo.

NDRU said:

oh that's really interesting

Depression is a treatable medical condition.
For more information you can go to www.depression.com

Only on the org can we start out talking about Golden Gate Bridge Suicides and end with Leonardo Da Vinci in drag.....

like when they see Sanjaya in person.

PanthaGirl said:

Maybe so, but the film is a philosophical inquiry. I could ask that about myself...what kind of person does it take to sit there and watch multiple suicides on film?

The film also aimed to be a public service announcement on the subject of suicide, which is often treated as unspeakable and swept under the rug. The filmmaker was making a case to build a barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge. If you've been there, you know how easy it is to jump over the four foot railing, an act that can easily be done on impulse.

I know someone who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and died. And another friend of mine took his life a few months after I saw the movie. Though harshly disturbing and unforgettable as the movie is, I was glad I saw it. In some way, it helped me cope with the experience by presenting a platform for dialogue and giving me a glimpse into the minds of the suicidal.

Not to mention, the quality of filmmaking in this movie is profound -- on a purely cinematic level. It asks many questions about the ethics of documentary.

you'd think they'd have people monitoring for that stuff...

if i saw someone on the verge, i'd approach them and try to start a friendly conversation.

heartbeatocean said:

True I hear what ur saying and it is quite a depressing subject for peeps to watch and the filmaker to cover for his reasons but there is a clear message about understanding humans with broken spirits at an absolute crisis point. As clear as the message is and necessary for many it is as you say disturbing to watch.

Sorry about your friend.

I've heard time and again that drowning is meant to be a peaceful way of dying but I would think that couldn't be until the euphoric stage from the total lack of oxygen. Prior to that I would say it would be so traumatic and terrifying.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Agreed. I would call 911 first, then approach the person and try to find out what is going on in their life, and why they want to just end it all. I would feel terrible if I saw someone looking like they wanted to end their life, and if I didn't reach out to help them, then saw them on the news, saying that they had jumped off the bridge and died. That would haunt me for the rest of my life.

They could market it as a scenic ride..lol

psychodelicide said:

It's so common, they have emergency suicide medics on call near the toll. They do monitor and prevent many jumps. The coast guard is also quite active on the water below. I mean, it happens VERY often.

Many people interviewed in the movie were witnesses. It's horrifying. There is a group of people that goes out to the bridge to try to talk to people and prevent suicides. I had a co-worker that did that. They found out on the internet that a bunch of people planned to do it on the same day. People fly from all over the world just to kill themselves in this place.