h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Rather sad. I think that my heart may be calloused.

Two nights ago, a student from my school got himself drunk and then, killed. Drove into a pole, killed on impact. Now, there's much weeping around, and yet, I feel nothing.
This kid was a problem, even if he was in my class. The closest thing I had to an enemy. He went out of his way to mock and hurt the lowly and humble, those less attrative or glamourous than himself. I hated him for his arrogance, and now that he's dead, I realize that, in my eyes, he was never alive.

It's sad, to see so many people weeping, some over a person they never knew. And I feel nothing. Why does Death no longer make me stumble? It seems that I have no more tears, even for the suffering...

What have I become?

It is a little sad. I've noticed like freshman weeping over him and hes a senior. I never really liked him, all my friends crack jokes about him. Some people say I'm inhuman for not feeling anythign for him. But hey just because he goes to my school doesn't mean i need to greive for him.

I realy did not like him, he realy was a jerk. He made fun of all thoes who were in his clique. He was an anoyance at every turn.Also not to bright. Had been caught drinking and driving about 3 months ago but nothing was done. But still I feel some loss. Some of his friends were not that bad and they are hurt so much. In the midway of the school they are making a memorial. It feels like a gigantic wake, can't help but feel sad. Though honestly, I miss him more as a number in the school than a person. Thats what the impact of death is to some people. Its an personal thing. Don't worry Myst, your not that messed up (in that regard anyways).

-BeK

Thanks, both of you.

It disgusts me.

Are you saying that you are disgusted to be human? Hmmm...I, for one, would have thought you wiser than that. But that's the magic of the computer...I can't see you. I can, however, read you. As you find your own path in this Earth Journey, self examination is an amazing part of the trip.
That said, the way you 'trip' is totally up to you. You can freak out at every new thought, feeling, sight, sound, taste...and then really go mad when something happens that you have no words to express. Or, you can except the things you cannot change, change the things you can as well as have the wisdom to know the difference.

Mystrunner,
I count myself among those who had no feeling for 'him' and have no feelings for 'him' now. I must say that I despised 'him' and all those like 'him'. He was a stoner and therefore a wast of all of the water and food and what-not that sustained him.

Call me inhuman if you want to, but I have too much sense to feel emotion for those who are weeded out by their own stupid actions.

Though I know not of whom you speak, I know of what you speak. Not to long ago, a girl from my class was killed when she was drunk with her boy friend and they were in a car wreck. At this also at this time, almost the entier football team at my school was drinking too. The girl had just left the party they were all at. the next day as many and most sat around in tears,myself and a few friends of mine were not crying. not a drop. people said we had no heart, but though I knew the girl, I did not really know her. All the time I though, you always reap what you so. As they say, to every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Thanks. It feels good to speak to people who think clearly. I suppose there are two types of people in my life at this time. One would be those like us, and whatever wisdom we have managed to gather by this time. We use it, and we (try) to remain humble and honest to others and, possibly just as importantly, to ourselves.

Then, I see the rest as some sort of mindless mob, seething, hating, and ignoring the truth. The truth they don't want to hear. Well, right now, there's the mangled corpse of that kid, one who hadn't wanted to hear the truth. Look what it got him. Death. No appeal, no second chances. Who knows? Maybe one of us could have changed things, shown him a better way...

I feel so old at times. Such is our lot in life, to be weathered by our experiances, and, with hope, learn from them.

But there is still joy. And hope. With such elements in my life, I will go on, despite death and so on.

Such mature thoughts for a young head.

My friend, you speak truly.

I know how you feel, Myst. I have gone through similar experiences with some of my nearest and dearest. My mother, who knew that smoking was bad for her and yet carried in with it, is now four years dead because of lung cancer.

We tried to help her. We showed her the dangers, and even when her father contracted lung cancer and had his lung removed, still she smoked. Now she is dead. Her brother still smokes.

You're right. Some people will not, or cannot, listen to the truth. If you play with fire repeatedly there's a fair chance you'll get burned. The rest of us can learn from the mistakes of others and try and help those unwilling to listen, but in the end the decision is theirs.

As you say, there is still joy and hope. For me, the joy is diminished, yet still there, and the memories are as alive as she once was.

Yes, I know how you feel. My mother contracted breast cancer a few years back, and that was possibly the darkest time of my life. Such things give you age faster than time will itself. But then, my parents raised me to be more mature. My childhood wasn't as carefree as others, and now that I look back, I can thank them for it. They created ME, instead of what could have been one of them.

Some will never listen. We must find those who will...

Thanks, friends. Thank you all so much.

The wisest thing yet said here is; "the decision is their's".

My mother explained repeatedly to me that she wanted 'better' for my sister and me than what she had had. And we have. Thank you mama!
She abused her body & when told she would be dead in another three months without an operation. It was her choice to decline. The operation would have added years to her life. She believed in the 'natural course' of events.Along with enjoying her mentholated smokes, her buttered everything, etc., this, she felt, was her 'enjoyment' of the life she had. With ALL her knowledge
(she was one hellova nurse) she did what she damned well felt like doing and when asked why? She would simpley say, "Because it's *my* life."

As we go though *our* lives, helping those who might acually be helped, I think it quiet important to understand that we have no right to try to bend someone's will to *our* standards.

You'll be alright Mystrunner. I think that's what most of us Hikers are really here for...for eachother. Where else would you ever find this many like minded people?

Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men

That's the reason people stay. In a way, we are all related, in an emotional sense...

Now we're 'kissin' cousins'. And old Yankee tradition, from an old Yankee.
<--- cranberry juice...

*Doesn't quite know what to say*

I have to say that although I have not yet had anyone close from me depart, I can empathise with what you all have been through Myst, you were right about experiences etc. I reckon that if my life had not gone through as many changes as it did, I would definately be different (would I even be here? who knows...). Life can at times be harsh, but the wise ones, it seems, always make it through.

Myst hon,
I've been through the same thing a few times; people in my old high school seemed to have a propensity for getting themselves killed in incresingly stupid ways, and it never ceased to amaze me. Their friends would all gather about the flagpole and cry, and people that they were never nice to also gathered and pretended to. It's my belief that they thought this was the right thing to do, and maybe it was. I have to admit that I scroned them for doing this; it simply wasn't logical. I didn't see the point of them paying homage to a person whose single purpose in life seemed to be to make other's lives difficult.

So really, I totally understand where it is you're at. How can you feel bad about someone who did this entirely to themself? I mean, honestlty, he sealed his own fate. And no amount of tears or emotion (pretend or otherwise) will bring him back now.

So why fret over it? Life is to short for you to worry about him making bad choices. Don't let it get to you.

Namarie, babes.

-Jadie

HAPPY HOLIDAZE YOUNGSTERS

~Peace Around The World
Love, Auntie Pandora~

Yeah!

Thanks, and Merry Christmas for all of you!

GOD I HATE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone.

I don't know if I can add anything to this but here is my experience:-

About six years ago when I was 13 (going on 14), there was this guy who was a right b**st*rd. He would come over with his mates push around, take the mick out of me and my mates, and if he felt like it he would beat some one up. I remember saying that I hope he gets his just deserts. Even though I said that I didn't wish what actually happened to him.

Little did I know 6 months later he would be dead. He was walking through the middle of town with a mate of his and started skitting some middle aged man, and having a go at him. But the guy had a knife, and the middle aged man stabbed him. The lad died before he reached the hospital.
And this happened just at a time when I had swapped to another school, so when I heard about it there was no one really to talk to. There were all kinds of conflicting thoughts going through my head at the time. But I came to the conclusion that no matter how cruel you are, no one deserves to die.


Terran - Happy Christmas

Wow Terran. you just made me feel like a right evil . Who knew you had one of those 'concience' things... (Just kidding.)

Anyway tho, yeah, Happy Christmas to the lot of you. Oh, and party at my place. In the Dining Room. ...More or less.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A881011