http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090907/tap-462-coroners-hearing-teen-suicide-pa-231650b.html
(The above are taken from Yahoo. I own none of them. Link’s on top.)
Well, this was odd news. Two boys committed suicide on the misconstrued idea that they were able to return back to life with extraordinary powers. What made this even odder was that it occurred in Singapore, a country not known for such curious behaviour.
What instigated such bizarre thoughts? Was it video games? Or cartoons? Though unspecified, it may very well be so, given the allure of games nowadays to the youth. Whatever the cause, it actually motivated eight youths to participate in this gutting foolishness. Five of them chickened out and ran after witnessing two of their friends fall off, while another backed out earlier on.
It was intriguing how the friends could collude to such plans. Using what I’ve learnt in Communication class, I’d say the leader of the group must have used a lot of Ethos (character appeal) and Pathos (emotional appeal) modes, since Logos (logic) cannot be used as his ideas weren’t the least bit logical. The styles the leader used in conveying his message would have likely been the plain and vigorous styles (character and emotional emphasis).
The friends that followed suit to the ridiculous act were probably subjected heavily to Francis Bacon’s “idols of the tribe”. Perhaps they were heavily influenced by the “idols of the Theatre”, which suggests that fallacies occur when we accept fashionable ideas uncritically. Probably some of them were made convinced upon seeing how others were very supportive of the idea of returning back to life with extraordinary powers.
But what was going through their minds? Was fiction, or virtual-reality, so convincing that they became bent on suicide? Where were their other friends? Their schoolmates? Wasn’t there anyone that could’ve detected some telltale signs of abnormal behaviour or incoherent speech? While the media may have overlooked these areas, we should perhaps look into these issues. There could have been some form of miscommunication between peers that resulted in this awful incident that may have been possible to prevent.
It baffles me too that these are eight young and bright boys who have a decent education and promising future ahead of them. But then again, such act, which is senseless to the rest of us, shows that it can indeed happen under the power of peer influence, or simply persuaded by anyone who can cleverly use appeal by ethos and pathos, especially in the name of religion, to bring others under his control.
Some people will remember the David Koresh and Waco seige in USA in 1993 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977958-3,00.html and the incident of the Heaven’s Gate in 1997, also in USA (http://images.google.com.sg/images?hl=en&q=heaven's+gate+cult&revid=311189653&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=4LqwSpz2GsyGkQWzjMGWBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4). There was also a similar incident in Japan, although I can’t remember which year and the group name. Ku Witaya’s case has happened right in front of our own doorstep, and I think we’re all the more shocked at it.
Very, very right there! Indeed, there were much more incidents that occured overseas. In fact, the very pioneers of violent video games, for instance Doom, were suspected to have been the driving motivation for massacres in the United States. And yes, this case was more impactful as in happened in our very own nation. Well said.
I think there involved a fair amount of brain-washing and peer pressure here. Fortunately, common sense ultimately prevailed (for 5 of them) upon witnessing the gore that followed after the first two boys jumped. It should also be noted that these children were actively playing a video game with a similar theme – on slayers protecting the earth from demons – and this could have contributed to the cause of the ‘bizarre’ act.
Were they? Video game huh… Then I suppose the government should look into this game and impose a ban or age restriction to it? The schools probably should educate the youths too.
Perhaps video games have evolved into a real threat to the youths today, and should be scrutinized by parents.
The intisgator could have used his ethos to sell insurance, he would have made his mark somewhere along that line. On a serious note, having such a distorted idea going undetected is simply because they are afraid that their idea would be rejected and luaghed at. Hence,they would rather keep their plans hush hush and carry it out to prove it. After all, actions speak louder than words, in this case, i guess???
Yes, that’s a very valid point! But that such a jarring matter of life and death went undetected even by the families… that is quite surprising indeed.
Logic is based on personal perception. You shouldn’t say that Logos did not play a part in the matter.
To them, it might sound logical – that being born in this body, they are unable to “save the world” but to us, it’s utter bull.
True, I agree with you that their leader instigated the idea most probably through emotional appeal which I believe is the strongest persuasive technique. We’re all too human. (:
That’s right. As Russell pointed out, they may have been feeling insecure or were emotionally unstable during that time – perfect for emotional persuasive techniques.
Since you mentioned, is Logos based on social or personal perception? I understand logic is based on personal perception, but what about Logos?
It’s usually by appealing to people’s insecurities and emotions that cults and extremist religions sway people to join them. Even in legitimate religions, a preacher’s ability to speak well and invoke emotion when he does so is instrumental in capturing people’s attention and imparting their beliefs and culture onto believers and non-believers alike.
Hmmm.. That’s interesting. I suppose their insecurities may be in the need for power or attention? But good point made Russell, it may be that the kids were emotionally unstable during the time nonsense was spoken to them.
Hey Chervin!
I think that sometimes Idols of the marketplace is often over used and not clarified.
This incident may be part the fault of the lack guidance, peer pressure or the bad influence of the games…etc. But the main idea is that we ought to first educate the masses as much as we want them to engage in such games. miscommunication or the wrong decoding of messages could mean a nasty and irreversible outcome as such.
Such a pity for the young ones. RIP though
True! But wasn’t it quite common-sensical? What should they teach in school? Common sense? But you’re right. I think Singapore should actively educate the country’s youths on the dangers of media, such as the internet, video-games and the likes. Thanks Audrey
Interesting points that you brought up, relating this incident to Bacon’s idols. Yea, it is indeed very bizarre, and saddening. Perhaps if communication was better between themselves and their parents, or other friends, or teachers, somebody might have been able to notice something, and potentially be able to prevent such an incident.
That’s right. Someone should have noticed. There could have been prevention.
I read elsewhere that the boy had family issues. This might be his cry-out for attention. For some recognition of some sort. Since his parents neglected him, he probably needed recognition of some sort. Hence to his peers, he was some sort of leader or a brotherly figure whom they can relate to. By building such rapport among his peers, I guess that was how he gained so much of their trust and then further influence them. They.. probably did not want to oppose for fear of being ostracized. Hence deciding to go with the plan until the very last minute.
By your logic, I think he might have wanted to gain the things he didn’t have in his family – trust, acknowledgement, recognition. Times have changed I guess. Instead of rebeling to gain attention, kids may now form strange social groups to fill their void instead. But thanks for the additional information.
I think lack of family love also contribute to such tragic outcome. As we all know, children learn how to judge a thing from their parents. If parents never spend time with their children telling them which are right or wrong, children would never know. Of cause, this also shows the impact of peer influence but again, if they are someone who tell them they are wrong to think that way. Such tragedy may be avoided.
Very much right there Jia Xuan.
I think family issues may have caused upset in the boy’s developmental phase in life. Perhaps, as you well mentioned, family bond may have intervened such tragedy from occuring.
I think it’s really sad and yet at the same time baffling that this could happen. Unfortunately, i think that all these could arise due to many reasons like media and video games. Children nowadays are exposed to all these so easily. Furthermore, if parents would show more concern and spend more time to find out what the child is doing in school and at home, this may have been prevented as well. But indeed, even peer pressure from the leader could have influenced the minds of his followers.
Thanks Ben. It’s kind of like a double-edged sword though. If the government imposes restrictions on media and games, other people may grumble and complain. And you’re right, parents should spend more time with their children, but it seems that nowadays the opposite is occuring more and more. I guess parents in Singapore may be too obsessed about work? High time they prioritize.
As much as I think it is really idiotic to commit suicide and become demon slayers in the process as I know it is not logical and pure cruel fantasy, I think the notion of transforming into demon slayers is pretty cool! (too much influence from anime and video games). So I can understand why the boys were so intrigued with this idea. Besides the fad of transforming into highly respected spirit fighters, the boys were also driven by some twisted form of nobel intention – to rid the world of demons. Isn’t that so thoughtful? Yes we all think that they are out of their minds to believe such things, but judging by their reasons for succumbing to this cult – becoming something they want, and helping society at the same time – i think is is believable that they would even consider sacrificing their lives to attain this glory. The only problem? It is not true. The leader of the pack has certainly done an excellent job of convincing his disciples into this tragedy. But he is not the only one to blame for reinforcing such ideas into the other boys’ head. Video games, and violent disturbing cartoons are also to blame. Furthermore, if parents had spent more time with their kids (the fact that they could attend ‘temple meetings’ in a HDB flat is proof they were neglected) I am sure the idea of suicide would be treated with more hostility from the boys. Otherwise, their motivations for such shocking acts are quite in line with the common motivations we ourselves have. Becoming someone we want in terms of our career perspectives and contributing to society as a noble obligation we are honored to fulfill are familiar goals the boys have that we can relate to.
You pointed out excellently that the ‘slayer’ idea was something to look further into. However, I do not think it was a noble idea as you had illustrated. Instead, I think they may have wanted some form of superiority, or even purpose, in life. Thus, it may have seem to them that being ‘slayers’ was the epitome of a purposeful life. The question then, is where on earth did they incultivate such an idea? Alas, it wasn’t a noble thing for society per se, but a consequence as a result of their needs.
Personally, I think Witaya’s parents were at fault too because it was reported that he carried out all his activities at home. So, wouldn’t his parents noticed anything unusual about their son and his friends? Although their parents weren’t on good terms, I feel that they should still spend more time with their son.
Hey I thought so too.