Why do people shout "Jump!" to potential suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge?

Have we seen evidence that this actually occurs regularly?

If they do, it’s from sheer nastiness.

Nah, they dont really. It’s just that they’re driving too fast so all you here is…........“Jump” when they actually shouted…... “Dont jump”

Because some people are scum ball dirt bags.

@HasntBeen Yes, it’s been reported in the press that people driving past regularly shout this out the window to people who look like they are going to jump.

Because they’re singing along to Van Halen’s Jump in their car.

“I might as well jump. Jump! Go ahead and Jump!”

because i bet most people don’t think they’re seriously going to, so what’s it matter if they say it or not? you know, like if youre gonna kill yourself, you’re gonna do it. and if you’re standing there not planning on doing it, some asshole driving by telling you to probably wont make you want to.

side note – has anyone seen the documentary on Golden Gate Bridge suicides? It’s called The Bridge and I’m dying to see it. I hear it kicks ass.

They do it, to call their bluff. Most “cutters” and people that “want to kill themselves” are just looking for attention. People that actually want to die, just do it without warning. Someone waiting in a spot that looks like it could potentially be a suicide maneuver is looking for someone to help me. Asshole thing to do? maybe… I think it’s kind of an asshole thing to lead people into believing you’re going to kill yourself when you’re just making a plea for sympathy. That’s just my opinion though.

@Axemusica, I know, the bastards…. they promised us a show!!

@deni You’re “dying” to see it? Yes, it’s on Hulu here. It’s remarkable they were able to film the bridge 24/7 for a full year.

I wonder how many people have jumped after someone shouted to jump. And what percentage never jumped after someone shouted

I agree with @Axemusica. I have never tried to kill myself, but if I was set on doing so, I would be sure to do it.

I know this is a sensitive subject, as I’m sure there are Flutherites who have either thought about or tried committing suicide. But, I’m positive that if someone actually wanted to commit suicide, there would be no question about successfulness. I know that “suicide attempts” such as trying to drink chemicals, etc. are calls for attention (whether subconscious or conscious).

I don’t think that it is inhumane to yell “Jump!” at someone standing on the edge of a bridge. It could even be construed as helpful, as the suicidee would be made aware of other people with other agendas who are offering attention, however negative it may be. People might yell it to see a show, or to be funny, or because they want to be supportive.

I know that if I wanted to kill myself, I would choose a building over a bridge, but that’s just me.

Anybody who would yell “Jump” to a potential Suicide, needs to be pushed off themselves.

@jfos Interesting. I would not have seen it from the perspective of people trying to help but I suppose you’re right – it could be so.

It could even be construed as helpful, as the suicidee would be made aware of other people with other agendas who are offering attention, however negative it may be.

@dukeG I don’t think so. Why is that appropriate?

@chesspiece thanks! yes, and unintentional pun there lol

@all Just to be clear I’ve attempted once and thought about it many times. I just can’t bring myself to actually do it, otherwise I would’ve been dead along time ago.

@Axemusica It takes balls to admit that. How are you doing these days?

@Gokey Seems like you’ve been trying to say something for quite a while.

@chesspiece I live, lol. I’m not content, but the thought of death is always in my mind. Just because I’m not afraid to die and think about it often doesn’t mean I’m going to attempt again though. I’ve come to terms with it and I know I can’t do it. I would continue on, but I know I’ll hear about, “Oh life is grand” and that get up. So, in turn. I’m fine.

@Axemusica Don’t worry. You won’t hear “life is grand” from me. Although I would not have the courage either, I completely understand why someone would want to.

@Axemusica Recently, I read “The Possessed” by Dostoevsky. In the story, there is a character named Kirillov that has an interesting outlook on life/death. According to his theory, if God is real then everything is God’s will. But since God can’t be real, everything is one’s own will. And the highest level of proving one’s self-will is to commit suicide. Do you have similar thoughts of death?

@Axemusica No. Well, maybe. I have a different belief that I’m not going to get into in this thread. I can’t do it, because I know it’s the easy thing to do. Plus I think it’s a chicken shit way to go about embracing death. I myself think I was born in the wrong era. I would’ve loved to be a Ronin. Ohh, yea, death with an honorable embrace.

@Axemusica, Your perspective on the idea that most cutters cut as a cry for “attention” seems rather nearsighted. Could you elaborate on your thoughts as to why you think most people who cut themselves seem to be seeking attention? Self-injury is a grave matter, and hasty generalizations greatly minimizes the severity. Take a moment to sift through a couple self-injury messageboards, you won’t find many people who cut for attention.

@jfos People who scream “Jump!” to someone from their whizzing cars sound rather obnoxious, and in most cases it is not a sincere effort to be “supportive”. I imagine these people just wanted to make a wisecrack at the sight of a person standing on the ledge of the infamous Golden Gate bridge.

There is an interesting story about a man who leaped off the Golden Gate bridge and miraculously survived. The moment his feet left the bridge he decided he didn’t want to die. I suppose this illustrates the idea that just because you think you might be certain about suicide and “would be sure to do it” – doesn’t necessarily mean you really are. People often toy with the idea of suicide, and as a result this puts them in an extremely vulnerable state of mind. So when a man climbs up onto the ledge of the Golden Gate bridge, and is debating whether or not to jump – a car full of obnoxious people screaming “JUMP!” might be all it takes to send the him over the edge. Even if death wasn’t what he really wanted.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1197707,00.html

@Gokey the way I see it is, most teenagers & younger adults think it’s a cool thing (or something similar) & thus the reason why they do it in places where it can be seen, also why I think the name “cutter” came to be, because it wasn’t around before I fell into my deep depression. Before my attempt I would cut, but not in places that would be seen. My chest, thighs & ankles. I did it because I loathed myself (at the time) & I usually did it in the shower to watch it mix with the water.
Ok, I’m not saying anymore. If you want to know more, PC me & we’ll go from there.

For the trill of it