(June 24, 2011 at 3:18 pm)Epimethean Wrote: I hate to think that we get so callous when it comes to the death of people who acted irresponsibly. Dunno, it could just be me, but I still feel bad that he died. Death sucks for young people.
Some years ago, I attended the funeral of a student of mine. He had been playing in traffic with his brother and friends, and he was hit by a van and dragged to his death. That may have been the saddest funeral I have ever attended. Sure, he died because he was acting irresponsibly, but that didn't stop me from wishing I could make it better. He was such a bright kid, mischievous, full of life. Now, he's in a hole in the ground. He was fifteen.
It's not that I am callous about his death. Yes, he was young, but as a 34 year old he knew the consequences of acting so irresponsibly. A fifteen year old is much less able to make competent decisions than a 34 year old, and it's sad that one stupid decision can cause a young person his life. Sure, it's sad that Ryan Dunn died at such a young age, I'm just not all torn up about it like I would be if he had died of something he had no control over like cancer.
Plus, his actions did not only endanger himself, but also anyone else on that road. I am just thankful that his careless recklessness did not injure or kill anyone who didn't make a conscious decision to get in that car. Remember, if he had survived this, he would be put in prison for a long time for his disregard for his passenger's life.
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
