Suicide Pods Legal in Switzerland

[Fuzz]

I'd like mine airlifted to the top of Bagaboo Spire when the time comes. Hopefully the timing works out with the nitrogen kicking in before I hit the bottom. Sorry 'bout the mess, did you plan on re-using this one?

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

So a girl who’s broken up with her boyfriend or a man who’s lost his job can do this? The potential for abuse scares me.

Not to sound cold, but who cares?

[CaptainYooh]

While this measure is intended mostly for the elderly and terminally ill, I believe that all of the convicted murderers, rapists and those who escaped murder convictions by being criminally insane should wake up to a suicide pill on their pillow and a little "how about today?" note.

[GordonBlue]

I'd be so freaking mad in I was in my pod ready to press the button and some do-gooder saw the pod and opened it, keeping me from dying. They better put good locks on the thing and make sure the are hard to disable.

Love the idea, just not sure how practical it would be to just have them dropped off somewhere with no oversight. be interesting to see the logistics when they are available. (and the cost)

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Question for you then. If you saw someone trying to kill themselves, would you try to intervene?

You mean basically the very purpose for why these things exist?

No.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I'd be so freaking mad in I was in my pod ready to press the button and some do-gooder saw the pod and opened it, keeping me from dying. They better put good locks on the thing and make sure the are hard to disable.

Love the idea, just not sure how practical it would be to just have them dropped off somewhere with no oversight. be interesting to see the logistics when they are available. (and the cost)

Accessory kit...sold extra...

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I think that is a slippery slope argument. I don't think we would ever see assisted suicide implemented in such a casual fashion

Yeah - I don't think this thing is going to be sitting out on a street corner and you fire in a few coins like its a pop machine.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by nik-

Just get your loved ones to tap on the glass.

And yell shooooooot

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I think that is a slippery slope argument. I don't think we would ever see assisted suicide implemented in such a casual fashion

I’m not sure if you read the original article, but the intended use for this thing already goes well beyond current provisions for doctor-assisted suicide.

”We want to remove any kind of psychiatric review from the process and allow the individual to control the method themselves,” Nitschke said. “Our aim is to develop an artificial intelligence screening system to establish the person’s mental capacity. Naturally, there is a lot of skepticism, especially on the part of psychiatrists.”

“The benefit for the person who uses it is that they don’t have to get any permission, they don’t need some special doctor to try and get a needle in, and they don’t need to get difficult drugs,” Nitschke said in a Sarco demonstration last year.

So no vetting by health care professionals.

In a 2018 personal essay for HuffPost, Nitschke said his focus in the realm of assisted suicide has shifted over the years “from supporting the idea of a dignified death for the terminally ill (the medical model) to supporting the concept of a good death for any rational adult who has ‘life experience’ (the human rights model).”

Who’s to say someone distraught after a bad breakup isn’t a rational adult?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

and as cold as it sounds, this is a more fiscally responsible solution than mass institutionalization.

Cold, disgusting, immoral, and evil.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I’m not sure if you read the original article, but the intended use for this thing already goes well the beyond current provisions for doctor-assisted suicide.



So no vetting by health care professionals.



Who’s to say someone distraught after a bad breakup isn’t a rational adult?

I mean, that is the company's desired use - sure; but how likely is that?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

It says nothing about the values and desires of the person who is actually living that life and is seeking out this service because they may be in agony and prefer the bliss of the virtual experience.

What an awful piece.

A lot of people who undergo physician-assisted suicide have loved ones present, holding their hands, talking to them. Just because someone chooses to end their life doesn’t mean they hate the world or they don’t want the company of those who they love in their final minutes.

[peter12]

Good lord, there are some ghoulish opinions being expressed in this thread. Some libertarian edgelord stuff.

[Locke]

”We want to remove any kind of psychiatric review from the process and allow the individual to control the method themselves,”

Until they become sentient and weaponized by SkyNet...

Then they 3D print legs and machine guns.

I've seen this movie...

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Cappy

I mean, that is the company's desired use - sure; but how likely is that?

At the moment, not very. But judging by the comments in this thread, it looks like a lot of people want to see a move towards the ease of use the creators are championing. Or maybe people didn’t actually read the article.

[Ozy_Flame]

I think as long as someone crosses their T's and dots their I's - basically getting the wrapping up checklist items complete in terms of financials, existing business, wills, etc. - I don't see an issue with this at all.

I do think they have to pass a stress test so that no legal or financial liabilities are left behind, but once everything clears, go for it. And if such liabilities can't be cleared, then perhaps there is a public program or NPO that can help settle matters with proper planning and resources, or even have a family member or friend vouch for their status.

I'm not a fan of using it to weasel out of crimes or responsibilities, so I do think there is some structure to this - but ultimately I don't think this is a bad thing.

To be honest, if I was working and I didn't feel like retiring for 30 years, I'd use this thing. Hell, I might even cap retirement at something like "five years", then do away. That way I know how much I'll need for sixty months of living and its not a colossal burden trying to stretch retirement out for another 30-40 years.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

At the moment, not very. But judging by the comments in this thread, it looks like a lot of people want to see a move towards the ease of use the creators are championing. Or maybe people didn’t actually read the article.

I never thought I'd see the day when 'Ease of Use of Suicide Booths' was going to be a primary consideration and selling feature.

And yet here we are...

At least the creators arent going to have to worry about bad Google reviews from unsatisfied customers...

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

A lot of people who undergo physician-assisted suicide have loved ones present, holding their hands, talking to them. Just because someone chooses to end their life doesn’t mean they hate the world or they don’t want the company of those who they love in their final minutes.

Yes and those options are still there. There are a lot of assisted suicide clinics throughout Europe. It's not like you are being forced to use these pods as the only option. I see this similar to the abortion debate where some folks want to impose their values onto others about the meaning of life. It's someone's body and therefore should be their choice.

I don't understand where the criticism is coming in. If someone chooses to end their life, it is ultimately should be their decision on how it is done and if this option is well-designed, easy to access, and approachable why write an angry opinion piece about what an abomination it is?

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

All I read from this ridiculous opinion is "me, me, me, me, me". It's all about how he thinks it takes away from life the things he himself values.

It says nothing about the values and desires of the person who is actually living that life and is seeking out this service because they may be in agony and prefer the bliss of the virtual experience.

What an awful piece.

Ya I have lost 2 loved ones to hanging, and honestly neither were in a connected state with anyone. They made the decision and they were out.

What was the worst part was the people discovering them. It’s traumatized them forever.

I honestly wish they would have poded it out of here in the middle of a field. To be found passed away rather than swinging in a garage or basement.

They weren’t in a state to care about who found them (and they knew based on where they did it), so why would they have ever of wanted to hold their finders hands when they died?

If these pods reduce the collateral damage of suicide than I am all for it.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Ya I have lost 2 loved ones to hanging, and honestly neither were in a connected state with anyone. They made the decision and they were out.

What was the worst part was the people discovering them. It’s traumatized them forever.

I honestly wish they would have poded it out of here in the middle of a field. To be found passed away rather than swinging in a garage or basement.

They weren’t in a state to care about who found them (and they knew based on where they did it), so why would they have ever of wanted to hold their finders hands when they died?

If these pods reduce the collateral damage of suicide than I am all for it.

I don't agree with offering a Pod to those who are suicidal. Get them the damn help they need so they can overcome and go on to live productive lives.