*Also sprach Zarathustra, op. 30 plays as the lead-in*
Wed. August 6th - The Meanings Behind the Cymbals: Maxwell's Demon
GN talks about "Shotgun Jackie" from last night (See what can be missed when you fall asleep!) and her progress over the last 24 hours. Regardless of my heartless nom du jour for the lady, I'm sure we all hope for the best for her.
To borrow one of MV's expletives:
SWEET JESUS CHRIST IN A SIDECAR!Look, this may not be GN fault. Even the very best radio announcer should not be expected to play shrink. Nor should they necessarily avoid using their celebrity (no mater how minor or undeserved) to make people feel better. BUT - this woman is ILL. As in I-L-L
ILL! Ask me - I know. I worked as a mental health case worker for a dozen yeas before i had my son (at which point I dicided I only had enough "Mom juice" for one arena) I'm neither a doctor or a nurse - but i sure as shit can recognize a classic pattern when see one.
I also "suffer from" (yeah, that's how they say it, even if you don't particularly "suffer") a major depressive disorder myself - which, thank God, menopause, medication, and hard work on my part has more or less under control. (I say "more or less" cuz like anyone I have my bad days - it's just that in my case I can't just PRESUME a bad day will go by, even if it usually does. I have to go on yellow alert.)
YES the attention this woman got will make her feel like a million bucks by comparison. Isolation is actually part of the SYMPTOMOLOGY of most mental illness. Relive a symptom, you feel lots better - right?
The problem? Sooner or later Shotgun Jackie's friends and family are going to go back to their usual routine. That's human nature. The high form her brief interaction with celebrity will wear off. That;s ALSO human nature. Then what?
What has happened here, friends, is that a pretty band aide has been put on an ulcer. looks real nice - even feels significantly soothed - but the rot continues.
I've seen this shit at least 100 times. Here is how i imagiene it went:
GN: Jackie - this is George, how are you?
SJ: I'm wonderful now, all thanks to you George.
GN: Well thanks Jackie - but I suggest you get some professional help, because this could be serious.
SJ: Oh, no, George - I have my friends and family around me now - and you've been great.
GN: I only wish you the best Jackie. Hope to hear form you again.
SJ: Thanks George, God bless you.
GN: Bye
Chances are, the nest time we hear about Shotgun Jackie - it will be in the obits.
Okay - she's one person and shit happens. So what's the problem?
THE FUCKING PROBLEM IS that once again, the myth has been perpetrated that this kind of disorder can be treated with a one-shot miracle! One size fits all.
Ev is now going to catch her breath, take her morning meds, and get back to her own life.
But ----
DAMN!PS: keep in mind that Shotgun Jackie is not only depressed - she is at least borderline psychotic. She was HEARING VOICES. Now, I will hand one thing to George - give the devil his due dudes! - the SHOW was about mind control - and hearing voices. Out off all the at least slightly nutty Calls George got, he recognized one that was truly abnormal, and responded. I suspect he may have missed one other - but after all - he was on air live - and this person was babbling incoherently - this was RIGHT AFTER the Shotgun Jackie incident - and he's not a shrink.
Let's all chip in and have some custom band aides made with GNs pick on 'em. Why not? They'll work just as well as what went on in this case. Let's use my magical miricle mosaic image. Save design effort.
Can you tell I'm pissed?
Poll