Map shows Golden Gate Bridge marked by suicides

jeaguilar

#1 – 11:37 AM July 16, 2009

Wonder id this isn't more appropriate for bb instead of bbg. In any case, "It’s not that remarkable that the bay side is more popular than the ocean side. The ocean side is not open to pedestrian traffic — it’s bikes only, so if you’re there on foot, something’s definitely weird. On the bay side, there’s tons of foot traffic, so you blend in until the last moment.
Comment by Danek — July 12, 2009 @ 1:09 am"

bbonyx

#2 – 11:49 AM July 16, 2009

Have to stop in to recommend "The Bridge" as a great documentary about this subject, as noted in the GG link mentioned in this post.

dross1260

#3 – 1:26 PM July 16, 2009

West side of Marin tower is too windy

PlanetJoe

#4 – 1:39 PM July 16, 2009

... and the runner-up for most popular light pole is (drumroll) #96! Which means that our new winner for the Most Popular Light Pole to Jump From is # 69! (eerie, non?)

O_M

#5 – 10:58 PM July 16, 2009

...Anyone got a photo view of the apparently most preferred site on the Golden Gate from whence to off yourself? I'm curious if there's something about that view that entices suicide chumps to want that to be the last sight before they wind up in the drink below.

hokano

#6 – 1:02 AM July 17, 2009

O_M:

I don't think it's the view that entices 'suicide chumps' to that spot. It is simply the fact of it being the center of the span between the towers. There is a certain symmetry to that point that is appealing.

I speak from experience, as that is where I stood for about half an hour in 1999 contemplating the plunge myself. Did not consider myself to be a 'chump' at the time. But I suppose 'chump' is as useful a word as any to distance oneself from the upheavals that drive a person to that particular place.

omnifrog

#7 – 1:37 AM July 17, 2009

Hokano:

I don't know anything about you or your situation, but I'm happy you're still amongst us.

"But I suppose 'chump' is as useful a word as any to distance oneself from the upheavals that drive a person to that particular place."

Accurate and sobering.

WalterBillington

#8 – 2:49 AM July 17, 2009

@6 sorry to hear that, also glad you're here.

I recall visiting and aware of the level of activity at the suicide recovery boat - in the early 90's it was stationed at the bay side, Marin side of the bridge. It was constantly in business.

hokano

#9 – 4:25 AM July 17, 2009

Thank you omnifrog and WalterBillington. I'm also happy to still be around.

Thanks also to to O_M. I have no wish to sentimentalize the act of suicide. Pointing out its futility has real value. One thing that helped me walk away and not jump away from that bridge was remembering the proper contempt that Ms. Love publicly heaped on Mr. Cobain in the aftermath of his own messy exit.

In the intervening years I've come to understand that suicide is an extreme expression of impatience. Death eventually comes to us all, after all. Better to live your life however you see fit, harming others minimally. The world will kill you when it gets around to it.

bbonyx

#10 – 8:19 AM July 17, 2009

I would assume that the natural desire to gravitate toward the center is the same phenomena you see in movie theaters... where (generally) in an empty theater people will tend to sit in the dead center of a row (and often in the center row of all those available.)

hectorinwa

#11 – 8:36 AM July 17, 2009

BBONYX, you sit in the center of the theater for the best sound.

I imagine you jump from the center of the bridge since it's the highest point?

T.M.Wells

#12 – 9:12 AM July 17, 2009

i do the walk from downtown sf to sausalito at least once a year, we always make sure to get photos crying at the crisis hotline phones.

if i was going to off myself i'd definitely choose the ocean side, closer to sunset. Sure its closed to foot traffic, but its not like i'd be worrying much about the bike i'd be leaving sitting there.

Enochrewt

#13 – 8:12 AM July 20, 2009

#5 O_M: You can use Google maps and street view to see the a photo of the most popular spot.

bbonyx

#14 – 9:15 AM July 20, 2009

@#11 - Hector, I hate to disagree, but people naturally gravitate to the center even when sound isn't a factor (as in silent museums). Average people don't even actively consider sound quality (which is why they don't correctly calibrate their 5.1 or 7.1 systems at home). It's just a natural tendency, although I would think viewing angle might have a strong effect.

peleg

#15 – 3:07 PM July 28, 2009

does anyone now of a manner of trackign the suicides by date? I would like to see if they are trending up or trending down