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How To Talk About Mental Illness Online?

Posted by timothy on from the perens'-comment-seems-sincere-to-me dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Shortly after the death of Debian founder Ian Murdock, Bruce Perens, who succeeded Murdock as Debian Project Leader in 1996 and was also Murdock's employer for a period of time, claimed very publicly that Murdock died of mental illness, although no evidence has been provided. Without referencing Murdock or Perens, another prominent Debian Developer, Daniel Pocock, has asserted that discussion about who has or had a mental illness is a step too far. To be fair, it sure doesn't sound like Perens was trying to do other than express sympathy in light of a tragic death.

4 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. See John Oliver's episode on mental health... by ffkom · · Score: 4, Informative

    ... it was aired long before this suicide, but provides lots of insight on why the situation is as it is: Episode on Youtube.

  2. Re:Secrets =~ Stigmas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I agree, EXCEPT, there are actually all sorts of other real world problems that step in when mental illness is involved. Specifically Insurance and Job issues in many areas. Discussing someones mental illness openly can still have a lot of unforseen consequences. e.g. life insurance not paying as any death becomes questionable, where I work mental illness would also be an immediate disqualifier for my job.

  3. Bell Canada is doing something about it. by XB-70 · · Score: 1, Informative
    We don't often laud large corporations but Bell Canada has a wonderful campaign to get the conversation started.

    There are so many people dealing with mental illness that it's ridiculous not to deal with it.

    The worst thing you can do is to NOT get treatment or help.

    --
    *** Don't be dull.***
  4. Re:Wll, the internet is full.. by KGIII · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes, yes we are. Something Bruce said that you might find interesting:

    I'll tell you another secret then. Open Source was a mistake. I am not a Freetard any longer.

    And there's a good chance that some folks will not believe this was a quote from him, it was. Others might suggest that it is taken out of context, it isn't, I will cite it:

    This is the relevant link.

    I'm assuming he too has gone off the deep end or, more realistically, has been using the movement to gain popularity and money and now has enough to disassociate with the movement, as it has served its purpose.

    He just might be crazy. But he appears to be burning bridges as fast as he can.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."