Dear Sheenagh,
I agree with Hugh that 'Susanne' behaved inappropriately, and also that the
conversation on madness was very valuable. No, few of us are experts in that
field, but then we talked about it with our defences down and in a
constructive way, which is rare enough in our culture, even amongst experts.
Susanne didn't bother me much, but only because I automatically deleted all
her messages. I'm sure she is troubled, you're right about that, (though she
didn't sound sound suicidal to me) and if I had more sympathy to spare she'd
get some.
(P.S. to all: Someone mentioned earlier that there have been people
criticising the list whilst participating, and I hope my two cents in the
Plath debate wasn't seen in this light... It wasn't intended that way)
Best,
Cassie
On Wed, 12 Jul 2000 08:49:24 -0700 (PDT), [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Mr Tolhurst writes that he has the "lowest possible
> opinion" of the apparently mythical Susanne. Worse
> than Charlie Manson, then...? How do you know this
> individual, of whom you think so hardly, is not in
> fact mentally disturbed? There must be SOMETHING wrong
> with him/her, or he/she wouldn't have wasted so much
> time writing to this thing. I believed "Susanne" was
> real, and wrote to "her" in hopes it would help. I
> don't feel remotely diminished, or offended, by the
> news that his/her desperation may not be exactly as
> represented - as I say, there was obviously something
> hurting him/her. As for your suggestion of police
> proceedings, really! To pose as a suicide to fool the
> ambulance service would be intolerable, but a bloody
> poetry forum? You say "Susanne's" posts "sabotaged an
> important discussion on suicide". How, "important"?
> Important discussions on suicide are held by medically
> qualified experts in the field. What profound truths
> were about to come out of a bunch of amateurs chatting
> amongst themselves?
> Whether "Susanne" was real or not, and like someone
> else I must have missed the point where everyone (or
> everyone who matters?) decided she/he wasn't, if
> she/he is still reading I still feel great sympathy.
> You'd have to be desperate to come looking for friends
> in a very hermetic place.
>
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