Bamboo Nightclub Tribute

Walking through the hidden entrance off of Queen Street West, you suddenly feel as though you are leaving the busy city and entering into a Caribbean Oasis. As you walk past the bouncers stand decorated with grass from a hula dancers skirt and nod to the man inside, you begin to look around. Within a few steps you are surrounded by an abundance of bamboo, flowers of all colours and sorts, you can hear the resident birds chirping and you can see them bathing in the water fountain named “Lake O’Brien”. The hostess, decorated with blue hair or dreads, seats you either in the spacious club, cozy dining room or famous patio. The diverse serving staffs are buzzing all around; spreading the aromas of the food you are anxiously awaiting to tantalize your taste buds. After a short wait, a man with a Hawaiian shirt, black shorts, white socks stretched high and black dress shoes, approaches you and memorizes your order. As he wisps back with two Red Stripes in hand and drops them off in front of you, you watch him. It looks as though his is the host of a great backyard party with guests from every corner in the world. Everyone knows his name and laughs at his jokes. He is someone who is making sure that your Thai spicy noodles are hot, margaritas are cold and you are enjoying the full experience of the Bamboo. As Toronto has been informed, the Bamboo club on Queen Street has shut its doors on October 31st 2002. After nearly twenty years of entertaining and feeding people from all over the world with live bands and Caribbean curry chicken, the Bamboo deserves a tribute and a thank you for the good times had by all.
On August 26 1983, Sean Penn was engaged to Madonna, Bay and Bloor radios were selling Sony walkmans for $499,95, Tom Cruise was dancing in his underwear on the big screen in Risky Business, a woman got fired from her job for suggesting that her workplace become a non-smoking environment and fur was being worn without protester’s red paint stains. Restaurants were nothing but traditional and elegant… until Patti Habib and Richard O’Brien decided to turn an old warehouse that sold wicker goods into a restaurant where bohemian denizens could enjoy cutting edge music and Thai-Caribbean fare. During this time, Queen street was home to independent stores, art galleries and shops, the only other restaurants that existed on the street were greasy spoons and Peter Pan, the cheap rent attracted starving artists and it was a place that “normal” people avoided-afraid they would be seen as lacking in charm or originality. Bamboo served mostly Caribbean food until Wandee Young (now the owner of three most favoured Thai food restaurants in Toronto) became the head cook and she was able to mix in a number of Thai treats. Bamboo slowly made a name for itself over the years as more and more people were able to actually find the place, experience how relaxed and diverse the clientele and staff were, taste how scrumptious the food was and how great the live bands were. The Bamboo had it all- and as the word spread, it was known to be the “cornerstone of Queen Street” and “the hottest ticket in town”.
Over the years, numerous bands were able to grace the stage at the Bamboo. It was a venue for the best African music in Toronto, as well as Reggae, Jazz, R&B, Rock, Punk, Techno and Hip Hop. Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Erikah Baddu, The Stones, Chester Miller, the Satelites, Eek a Mouse, Desree, Jackie Richardson just to name a few, played there before and/or after they hit it big. The musical guests were just as diverse as the crowds every night. On any odd night you might find Harrison Ford shooting back tequila in search of some smoke, Sean Penn hanging out in the staff washroom, Edward Norton looking for an after-hours party, David Bowie throwing a private party on the rooftop patio even Robin Williams, Mel Gibson or Timothy Leary would stop by every so often to say hello to Patti and a pint.
The hospitality jobs are said to have a very high turn over rate. The Bamboo is quite the exception, the staff never seemed as though they wanted to leave. With servers, bartenders, cooks and managers who have been there since they opened their doors about twenty years ago. This may have been because the Bamboo was the anti-thesis of corporate, and so much trust was given to each staff member. Everyone was free to be himself or herself while at work, they were free to make themselves as comfortable as possible. To hold the freedom to have a glass of wine after a tough shift or the ability to change the inside of the boiler into your own personal den with your T.V. canvas and paints, feels like your work “ain’t that bad” after all. It seems as though each staff member was personally hand picked to add to the atmosphere of the club, each of him or her were so different and diverse. From dreads to buzz cuts, from 10 facial peircings to baby bottom smooth, from Costa Rica or Manchester to born and bread right here in Toronto.

The Bamboo was more than just a club with great food, great people and great music. It was an escape from the city, a home away from home and, excuse the cliché; it was a place where everyone knew your name. It had a unique atmosphere and it was dedicated to serving its diverse clientele. On Saturday afternoons, there would be kids raves, where parents would bring their children to dance the day away while they mingled and maybe even hooked up. Every year Bamboo was the kick off spot for Caribanna. The club would be smoking hot (they did not believe in air conditioning because that would defy the “tropical oasis” theme), bodies would be jammed from wall to wall, dancing to amazing soca and reggae. The man with the bell would always be there ringing away, the crowd would be spraying their water bottles to cool each other off, the bar would be slammed and the bartenders, feeling a little tipsy, would be dancing while pouring and smiling at their tip jars. The roof top patio was infamous to Torontonians. Walking up the creaking stairs to a roof top patio smothered in Barbara Klunder’s art, the aroma of Stash’s flying fish sandwiches would make your stomach rumble and your mouth seriously crave a Corona. The atmosphere was so hectic but yet so relaxed. Men with their pant legs rolled up trying to get some colour, women soaking in the sun right next to them with strawberry daiquiris in hand and the sweet smell of ganga would arise from the far left corner under the Evian umbrellas. The memories from over the years, spoken from the thousands of guests who would visit time and time again, are to many to condense, but they are all sprinkled with the same feeling- the Bamboo was a damn good getaway and an even better host.

McDonalds U.S. Profits Surge

McDonalds Profits Surge on U.S. Sales

By: Trisha Cook

Big Mac is making a come back

Fast, tasty yet unhealthy food still has U.S. consumers lining up to order, despite numerous exposes and documentaries.

Despite the Fast Food Nation exposes and the Super-Size Me documentaries that have exposed the evils behind the fast food burger and fry meal- McDonald’s Corp. revenues are up 9 percent from a year earlier.
McDonald’s Corp is in its fifth straight quarter of increased profits in the U.S. since snapping out of a slump last year, reports the American Press.
McDonald’s attributes part of the profit surge to its focus on better food and service and new menu items. The McDonald’s website even offers a ‘Nutritional Calculator,’ which allows consumers to calculate the content of calories, fat, trans fat (also known as trans fatty acid), carbohydrates and fiber.
According to the ‘Nutritional Calculator’, a lunch consisting of a small diet coke, medium French fries with 1 ketchup package and a Big Mac holds 940 calories, 49 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of trans fat, 100mg of cholesterol and 93 grams of carbohydrates.
According to a health calculator created by University of Maryland Medicine, (http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/fat.asp) a 22 year old female, 5 foot 8 inches with a light amount of regular physical exercise, should limit her fat intake to 72 grams of fat per day.
Trans fat is partly heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Researches also believe that trans fat has a negative effect on ones immune function, reproduction and location according to www.toronto.ca/health .
Not only are fast foods and processed foods full of trans fat, a high percent of calories from fat, but also there is no nutritional value in the burgers and fries.
“It’s all dead food,” says Milena Roccaforte, a Toronto based holistic nutritionist. “There is no nutritional content and it’s drenched with trans fat.”
Over 40 percent of Canadian’s dining out money goes towards fast food.
Although the knowledge of how unhealthy fast food is, McDonald’s still manages to reel in consumers with their recognizable aroma that can be detected from blocks away.
To help learn more about how to balance a nutritious meal while eating fast food, go to http://www.toronto.ca/health/pdf/nm_fast_food_circuit.pdf .


Links: www.mcdonalds.ca
McDonalds Stock value info: http://cbs.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/newsarticle.asp?siteid=mktw&sid=3047&guid=%7B363F3CAE%2D65DB%2D458D%2D8CD4%2D0829DB8A9DDF%7D&symb=

Kensignton Market

Kensington Market: Home to the World
By Trisha A. Cook

As you are walking west down Dundas Street, just as you have passed the hustle and bustle of Spadina, you reach a quiet neighbourhood full of history- and great shopping! Kensington Market is a true multicultural shopping district of Toronto. Entering onto Kensington Avenue off of Dundas, during a nice summers day you will see tie-dyed blankets blowing in the wind, coffee drinkers sitting in the sun on the patios of the quaint restaurants, you will smell great foods mixed with the aroma of second hand clothing and you will be surrounded by the independent vintage shops and fresh food markets. The previously loved clothing seems so diverse with articles that would be great for anyone and there is such a wide array of foods to choose from- all of which is fresh as can be. You can even witness such oddities as chickens squaking from the trucks to theirs stalls and frantic chefs running from their restaurants to pick up fresh food to cook for a patron.
“You can get cool clothes in a chilled atmosphere, have a cup of coffee, get great quality food for an awesome price, all on the same street”, states Jason Nadler, a Toronto resident who moved from London England five years ago. “ My mother used to take me to the Pick-a-dilly circus on Carnaby Street in London, England. That’s what makes me want to go to Kensignton Market- its Toronto’s answer to Carnaby Street. Its focused on something more personal rather than the traditional corporate main stream stores”.
This colourful lively area is not only great it also explores a wide spectrum of cultures. You will hear Portuguese, Italian, Asian and Caribbean accents from many of the merchants as you search through fruits, veggies, baked goods and spices from all over the world. Kensington Market is the original ethnic market place in Toronto as it began in the early 1900’s with the arrival of English and Irish settlers. By the 11930’s Jews from central and Southern Europe were firmly established in the community. In the 1940’s Italians and Ukrainians settled and shortly after, postwar waves of people from Portugal, Hungary, Hong Kong and the Caribbean made their home in the market.
Over 169 languages are spoken in this small community; it is considered a “home to the world” (as advertised by the big globe on the corner of Kensington Avenue). It is a place where racial and ethnic harmony has thrived for generations. The spirit and inclusion is what has made Kensington matter and the fantastic shopping in such a sheltered area of Toronto is what has made is a favourable dwelling spot on a sizzling summers day.

Body Preservation as Art.

Professor Von Hagns

October 2002.

By Trisha Cook

Just over 200 members of the general public paid to gather together in an old brewery set up with lights and cameras. The focus of attention: a steel surgical table. You hear anxious chatter of the audience and the crumpling of plastic bags as they prepare them to be filled with vomit (if need be). The 72-year-old Peter Meiss has been dead for quite a few months when Professor Gunther von Hagns rolled his corpse into the room. And the show begins.
On Wednesday November 20, 2002, a public post-mortem examination was held at the Atlantis gallery in London, England. Such a display has not been held in Great Britain for over 170 years.
The physician that performed the autopsy, Professor Gunther von Hagns, is accused of breaking an ethical code of conduct concerning post mortem autopsies. According to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Anatomy, it was ruled that the professor did not have a license to perform autopsies. It has not yet been decided if any legal action will be taken.
Von Hagns claimed to be giving a lesson on anatomy for the general public rather than letting it be restricted to medical students. “I change the way people see themselves”, states von Hagns “No model will ever shy people away from smoking, but a real lung- now that’s different.” Hagns did indeed show the lungs of the late Peter Meiss and he placed them on trays for display. He also did this with every single organ that was removed until the body cavity was empty.
Those who viewed the autopsy had mixed feelings about the outcome. Some of the audience members were calling it a spectacle carried out by a circus performer, other were calling it a very education experience.
"In the films there's normally a lot of blood. That's what I anticipated, but I'm glad I didn't see that. I'm very, very pleased I came. I've found it very educational” stated Maureen Batra from Barnet to a Reuters reporter, “I really don't know what all the fuss is about. There're issues such as human cloning, determining the sex of your child, those things, I feel shouldn't be done. But this? I'm glad I came. I think this is completely legal."
Jane Henna was one of the protesters who was outside of the event, she is also the director of Epilepsy bereaved, stated that she was against the autopsy “(von Hagns) has crossed the line on relation to the conduct of post mortems, there are serious ethical moral and public interest concerns that have not been properly addressed”.
A fourth year medical student, Cristina Koppel, attended the live autopsy and was upset at how unprofessional and un-educational it was. “ I feel very embarrassed about the way von Hagns has carried out the procedure without really explaining what he was doing. He wanted to educate but he couldn’t do it. People weren’t really learning anything.”
Channel 4 in London broadcasted the hour long event late that night and had received 33 complaints about the “sick” show while it was still airing and 42 more complaints the following morning.
John Williams, the head director of ethics for the Canadian Medial Association (CMA) claims, “We (CMA) does not hold a permanent opinion concerning Von Hagn’s live autopsy. There are certainly unusual factors and there are some beliefs that it is not for the public to see. But there are no current cases of such an incident happening in Canada for us to comment on”.
Professor Gunther von Hagns is also the man behind Body Worlds, a controversial display of “plastinated” bodies. Such displays include a pregnant corpse in a playboy pose with her 7 month old foetus showing through her cut stomach, a corpse standing upright holding is skin as if it were a trophy in his right hand and a man riding a horse (which has also been plastinated) holding his own brain in his hand.
“I can give back the holistic view of anatomy.” Comments Von Hagn on his Body World display. “That you can study the entirety of the body. Of course, that you can visually craft it, that it is not in fluid anymore, it is colourful, and it is not smelly. So people can build up a kind of body pride. They understand themselves as a piece of wonderful nature that people can be proud of. And in this way I change the way that people see themselves.”

Ben Kurr Busker

Ben Kurr: T.O's Favourite busker

By: Trisha A. Cook

"It's all about attitude," states Ben Kurr, a self-proclaimed DCS (Doctor of Common Sense). "Young people nowadays are no longer choosing what they want to do; they are doing what they think they are supposed to do. They think that the only way to succeed is to have a job in an office. That makes me sad." Not only is Kurr a Doctor of Common Sense; he is the King of Cayenne, a marathon runner, a singer, a songwriter, and an author. His ambition doesn’t stop there; he also runs for mayor of Toronto and he is a street busker who has been singing at the corner of Yonge and Bloor for fifteen years. "I could be singing in nightclubs if I wanted to, but I wouldn't be reaching hundreds of thousands of people a day," Kurr says.

It is apparent that people who know Ben Kurr are drawn to his delicate, "ageless" nature. He is full of life and inspiration. As he stands on the street corner, he receives smiles; he exchanges handshakes from an eclectic mix of people passing by; anyone from the obviously homeless to the men dressed in three-piece suits. All of them seem like Ben's best friend. In his book "The Cayenne Pepper Cocktail," Kurr tells us how he had "one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel." He was not in good health, the doctors wanted to remove part of his stomach due to the effects of smoking three packs of cigarettes every day for years. Ben soon began walking marathons to promote one of his folksongs and he started to focus on his deteriorating health by replacing alcohol with fresh carrot juice. After walking many miles in many marathons, his feet were sore and turning black. Taking his mother's advice into account, he put cayenne peppers into his socks without the desired results. Instinctively, Kurr placed a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into his carrot juice and instantly felt a rush of life go through his entire body. Now he drinks the Cayenne Pepper Cocktail every day and swears it improves a person's health substantially. Apparently, he is living proof. Ben Kurr is not only a promoter of cayenne pepper; he is also committed to making our youth more aware of their choices and options in life. He claims that the youth are not being listened to and if he were mayor he would be available in that exact same spot at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor to hear what the youth has to say; making sure there was enough press to listen and broadcast their opinions. A sincere comment and an ambitious idea made from an intelligent man who is unfortunately easily dismissed by most.

Singing folksongs on the corner of Yonge and Bloor is not exactly a ‘normal’ way to retire from an Executive Management position. People tend to be afraid of what they don't understand; it's easier to dismiss Kurr as a ‘drunk’ or ‘crazy’ instead of taking the time to understand his intentions. Those who do take the time usually walk away feeling inspired. "For the most part, people who are working in an office, doing what they are told to do, are not happy. They need to get in touch with their creative side to find out what it is they really want to do with their lives," explains Kurr.

His philosophies are not ‘new’ or ‘off the wall’. They are intelligent, simple ways of living to get the most out of life. Kurr speaks about how easy it is to change ones life for the better. "It's all in your head. If you think you are a struggling writer, that's all you will ever be."

Exercise, love what you do, add a little cayenne pepper to your carrot juice and keep a positive attitude. Common sense, right? I guess this is why he has the aptly-placed initials following his name. Life lessons from someone who continues to have fulfilled and inspired days can be found right around the corner. Specifically, at the corner of Yonge and Bloor.

Article:Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll Clothing

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll Clothing.

By Trisha Cook

With the millions of “Just do it” ads that have been tattooed unto our young and very impressionable minds, you would assume maybe it had some sort of impact on our attitudes towards life. Instead our generation has just ended up with a whole bunch of new kicks that are supposed to be the means to the end, bringing us to be all that we can be.
Unfortunately that’s what our generation has turned into, a group of lazy kids who would rather talk and dream about what they can do, then they buy the shoes that promise them that dream, then they wait around for a goldmine to fall into their laps. They are lazy, mentally and physically. Then I met the guys behind SDR (Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll), and I am happy to announce that there are people out there who are pursuing an idea, maybe even a dream.
Kyle Deinstadt, Tyler Scherer and Thanos Tripi are local Toronto entrepreneurs who were sick of having boring, conformed, clothing “with a label” shoved down their throats. So, they actually did something about it (Surprisingly this is not new concept). Two year ago Kyle and Tyler decided to use their own two hands and their own ideas to create clothing that expressed who they were. Through just strutting around downtown, others saw their unique style and wanted a piece of it. The demand was so high they figured they could actually get somewhere with their clothing. Hence SDR was born.
“It’s the way they look at fashion and clothes and how they perceive it. They are giving everyone the opportunity to express their individuality through their (Kyle and Tyler’s) vision.” Explains Thanos, their partner and business end of the group.
SDR clothing is vintage clothing, lots of denim, cut up, re-sown, ripped, with tons of detail and lots of attitude. They also make accessories like wristbands, rings and belts.
They had their first show in March 2003 showcasing their fall collection. The response was phenomenal and completely overwhelming.
“I am still trying to figure out how we pulled it (the show) off. It was like on a concert. The people just came together, created a team and when the lights went down, everyone was just working”. States Kyle referring to the kick ass show they had put on. Most describe their SDR’s showcase and a show within a party at a rock concert. The models, men and women of all shapes and sizes, were dancing and having fun just as much as the audience were.
“Kyle and Tyler are staying close to their Rock and Roll Calgary roots. The blood that runs through their veins is driven by Rock and Roll.” Thanos describes SDR’s inspiration and influences. As SDR continues to better the business aspect of their company and trying to gather their own denim, they are continuing to be inspired by everything around them.
“As long as people are expressing themselves, I think it is a positive thing” says Kyle.
People expressing himself or herself is obviously a very good thing, looks where it is taking the boys of SDR. Lenny Kravitz, Sum 41 and Avril Lavigne are all sporting SDR gear.
Thinking for yourself, finding your own style and your own image was all it took for these boys. Their advice to budding entrepreneurs with ideas waiting to surface:
“ Just fucking does it!”
How right.

Article: "Media and Suicides"

Media and Suicides

Trisha Cook

Mar. 22, 04

1-1-1

Fifty-four teenage girls chanting “and a one…and a two…” all wearing their school uniforms and holding one another’s hands, plunge in front of a moving subway on the final count of “three”.
That is the very first scene in the fairly infamous 2001 Japanese film “Jitatsu Circle” (Suicide Club) directed by Sion Sono. The film was indirectly exploring signs of teenage angst through hundreds of kids inexplicably committing suicide.
Media—through books, plays, songs, movies—have been using suicide as a means for a plot even before Goethe’s novel, published in1774, created the term “Werther effect” (meaning imitation or copycat suicides).
Over 200 years ago, Goethe’s novel was considered a societal taboo, unacceptable for distribution because it was based on one lonely man committing suicide. Now, hundreds of schoolchildren can plunge to their death on the big screen without a hint of outrage from the public.
As the number of suicides increase, annually, so does the silence surrounding the issue, as well as the glorification of suicides in the entertainment media.
The news media neglects to report on the social epidemic because no one wants to hear the truth- which allows the entertainment media to shape society’s impression.
Suicide.
That lowly word has become associated with strong feelings of shame, guilt, depression, isolation and failure.
It has turned into a societal silence, which inadvertently, is a form of social acceptance.
No longer is it reported by the media or portrayed as a condemned act- it is now being presented as a somewhat justified mean to the end.
Why the shame, silence and false justification of suicide? The answer begins with the media’s responsibilities when it comes to reporting.
It is no secret that the news media’s job is to accurately reflect society and in doing that the news media ultimately shapes our views of society
The media finds individual suicide, single self-induced deaths that happen everywhere on a daily basis, not ‘newsworthy’, according to Eve Drobot, a journalism teacher at George Brown College in Toronto.
“Ultimately, and cynically, it’s just a matter of practicality: there are just too many suicides to keep tabs,” Drobot said.
A journalism teacher saying a story is not worth covering because there are just too many killings to keep up with is comparable to a dog turning away a juicy bone because it’s too big. Something is just not right- as journalists if something is killing “too many” it is our job to let it be known.
The over abundance of suicides as well as the sensitive topic itself refrains journalists from reporting unless the victim is a national identity, a celebrity or a public issue is involved, says Drobot.
Perhaps a cultural overkill of the theme of suicide worries journalists and reporting on may numb society’s sensitivity to the tragedy

“The press has a social responsibility to accurately reflect society,” said Professor Blood Warwick of Canberra University in Australia- also author of numerous studies of media and suicide. “Thus, if suicide, or attempted suicide, or suicidal ideation, are community concerns, then the press should be covering these issues.”

When a newsworthy suicide is reported, the news media bases it reports suicides on stereotypes, myths and fallacies, according to the review Media Part I: Reportage in Non-Fictional Media, by Jane R. Pirkis and Prof. Blood Warwick.

Mixing false reasoning behind suicides and the lack of coverage of the actual epidemic as a whole- the media is not accurately representing society.
the shame that goes along with suicidal thoughts.
Underneath the layers of fallacies hiding the growing issue, we can dig up the route journalists need to take with such a sensitive social stigma—all we need is to expose the truth.
Everyone has suicidal thoughts.
Everyone gets the urge to just end it.
--And there is nothing wrong with that.
Journalists have not only opportunity, but the responsibility to speak out on behalf of society and find out “Why?”
By revealing that everyone has suicidal thoughts at one point or another while reporting on the issue of suicide- it gives people a sense of hope. And hope is the one thing that all those who succumb to suicide thoughts, definitely do not have.
Showing commonality on the issue will allow people to feel more secure with speaking about the issue- and seek help if needed.
“I would like to see more stories that cover risk factors associated with suicide and mental illness and analysing longer-term trend data,” Blood said. “All stories should include information for audiences where they can seek further information or advice from health professionals.”
Blood would like the press to follow guidelines because with in his studies, he has found a causal link between the news coverage of suicide and an increase in suicide. The Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) says that by the media de-glorifying suicides when reporting, refraining from using pictures of the deceased and by not getting into details about how the suicide was committed will lead to a decrease in the imitation suicides.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Annenburg Public Policy centre has released a media guideline report in hopes that the news media will refer to it when covering suicides.
“By developing a positive relationship with media, there is an opportunity for public education and for the advocating of suicide prevention,” says the CPA.

Not only should the media report suicides in a responsible matter, revealing how common suicides are and providing contact information for suicide prevention help lines- a substantial effort by the journalist into reporting on how modern society has begun to devalue the human life is also necessary in order to regain hope in society.
“Perhaps an emphasis on what we in fact have to live for might be lacking in media coverage of both homicide and suicide,” said Niagara University ethics Professor, Marc James. “What could be done to remedy this? We might begin to see where life is being devalued in our society and encourage media to cover events and people who speak to the dignity and sacredness of human life.”
While an outrage for a piece of literature speaking of suicide in a novel 200 years ago was seen as an devious act- condemned by many- modern day society doesn’t even flinch at the viewing of children jumping off roofs on the big screen.
“In recent research for a book, I have come across newspaper accounts of homicides and suicides from over a century ago, in which horror of an offence against life seems much more evident than it is n contemporary media accounts,” said Prof. James. “I am not saying we have forgotten how evil murder in, but we have certainly begun to think that the value of human life depends on our own appraisal of it. That is, we tend to think that we have absolute control over our own lives, up to and including, the right to take ourselves out of existence.”
“This leads us to value human life less in absolute terms and more in relative terms, for example ‘My life is only worth what I – or in some cases—others judge it to be worth. I f we continue to deny human life and it’s ultimate value, then the time will soon come when we no longer bother to offer public notices r accounts of suicides and homicides.”
As Prof. James points out, the lesser we, the news media, report on suicides with a sense of the major loss of value for life, the lesser we as a society feel it will be necessary to report about deaths- by suicide- at all. Why? Because the loss of interest will be lost, the suicide rate will be more staggering that it is today and hope for a continuance to live will be lost.
As the entertainment media has the upper hand with shaping society’s views and thoughts about suicide right now, it is the news media’s job to report on the staggering amount of annual suicides, responsibly, to discard society’s stereotypical and false views on the ideation of suicides.
With the right to freedom of expression movies are able, and rightly so, to presenting their visions on film. As long as there is a conscious effort on behalf of the news media to rightly present the accurate facts about suicide, mental illness with in an effort to reduce suicides and de-glorify the act while showing the value for human life- the news media is doing it’s job. By rightly reflecting the actions in society.
For Sono’s Suicide Circle, he had an important message- that one could miss if they blinked towards the end of the film. With the hundreds of school children committing suicide in the movie, Sono asks his audience to look for what really matters in life and live for it.

Trisha Cook