CW: Suicide If you hear someone say "x committed suicide" do you ever wonder "what was their goal?" I doubt it, because so deeply tied to the word is an assumption that the goal was non-existence. If you think Aaron Bushnell did what he did because he did not want to exist, you aren't listening.

you’re so right, i’ve been thinking recently how the framing of suicide as “X killed themselves” does seem to in part be absolving wider society and the victim’s environment of any responsibility

I'm always brought back to Anthony Bourdain. If that dude with a seemingly charmed life couldn't enjoy his existence here there's something fundamentally wrong with our society.

Ex: at this point, many English speakers have met the word "seppuku". If you heard "x committed suicide" or even "x killed themselves", would hearing "yeah, it was seppuku" be a refinement or a major shift in your understanding of their action?

Like, there's a difference between "wanting to no longer exist" and "choosing to give my life to this".