I've always been a free-lance linguist. I love language and believe Noam Chomsky is both a pioneer and hero of the discipline. George Carlin was the comedic shadow of Chomsky when it came to picking apart language. He was the best English teacher I never had.
I've always been a huge fan and supporter of the Suicide Girls "enterprise" and the people who it serves. Growing up I was always one of those rough outsiders who people thought was like the guy filming a plastic bag in "American Beauty." Smart, creative, quiet then LOUD when necessary. I openly held the card of unpredictability and, as a result, people didn't fuck with me.
Others who often languished in the same social space were always my best friends. They may not have had the same physical intimidation factor, but they knew I was on their side and I enjoyed my time and my company with this group of tuff-artsy-intellectual and unique set of peers.
I have never grown out of that mind-set, I grew in age, experience and intellect, but the spirit of who I am as a person is unchanged.
Suicide Girls was an immediate attraction. I was an early member and although I've drifted in and out of membership over the years, it always represented and remained a conscious class of people I could relate to, regardless of generation.
Every now and then the linguistically analytic side of me would take the name at face value and parse it endlessly. I thought that without thinking, it had that instant attention grabbing cache which let people know that those who fit into this nebulous, yet still identifiable category were serious about their belief in life.
So that's just it; Why does the name "Suicide" have to be used to validate those who should be viewed as valuable members of what is already a very eclectic global culture? It does get attention and it does imply a strong commitment and love of the lifestyle it portrays either overtly or just beneath the surface. But when the harsh reality of a suicidal act by a well-known and artistically gifted individualist hits home, it makes it very difficult to use the word lightly.
#Suicide #Samaritans #RobinWilliams