The Death of the Reader

Just wanted to pop this 2001 essay from my neglected Lemniskate mailing list over here in case Yahoo! deletes the archive or something.

( The Death of the Reader )

Things not to say to someone with depression

There are many lists online to help us all prevent lodging our feet in our mouths - here are some:

From Trapped Minds

From alt.depression

From DBT Self Help

Variations on "Think of the starving children in Africa!" appeared in the metaquotes thread. Sometimes people do need a shot of perspective - but that won't work on a mentally ill person, it will only make us feel worse. Also, it's important not to compare your own experiences of sadness or crisis with depression, which is a whoooole other ball game.

All of that said - dealing with depression, or mental illness of any kind, can be terribly difficult and frustrating. The people around me have often displayed the patience of saints. I think the single most important thing you can do for someone you think may have depression is to get them to a professional. You can do a huge amount to support a mentally ill person, but you almost certainly can't make them better.

Right, that's enough serious stuff for a bit

Just some of the stuff that's been sitting about waiting for me to post it.

Via drhoz: You absolutely need to see this. Trust me on this.

Via sheramil: Caught on security camera. (ETA: Beware Not Safe For Work ads if you click on the pix to see them full size!)

From hp_fringeart: Dumbledore Devouring Dobby

In a similar vein, leelastarsky's astonishing Birth of Venus remix. (Arguably Not Work Safe.)