Comments on: JR Minkel, science writer, RIP http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 03:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010177 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010177 There is a memorial fund set up to help support his family and to be donated in his name. http://welovejr.blogspot.com/ There is a memorial fund set up to help support his family and to be donated in his name.

http://welovejr.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010705 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010705 very sad very sad

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010207 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010207 Why did he do it? (It matters.) Why did he do it? (It matters.)

]]> By: Kosmoid http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010215 Kosmoid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010215 Read his wonderful article on epigenetics. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=hereditary-acquisitions Just as we thought we had cancer figured out with a model of DNA mutations, along comes epigenetics--another layer of complexity. When those with subtle minds commit suicide, we have to wonder where we took the wrong turn. Read his wonderful article on epigenetics.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=hereditary-acquisitions

Just as we thought we had cancer figured out with a model of DNA mutations, along comes epigenetics–another layer of complexity.

When those with subtle minds commit suicide, we have to wonder where we took the wrong turn.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010486 Mister44 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010486 Here is another good article as well: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-origins-of-suicidal-brains Here is another good article as well:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-origins-of-suicidal-brains

]]> By: Timmers http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010767 Timmers Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010767 Great article, also in Scientific American, on why people commit suicide. Not saying it applies in this case, but I found it really interesting: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=being-suicidal-what-it-feels-like-t-2010-10-20 In particular, this: "You’re going to die soon enough anyway; even if it’s a hundred years from now, that’s still the blink of a cosmic eye. In the meantime, live like a scientist—even a controversial one with only an ally or two in all the world—and treat life as a grand experiment, blood, sweat, tears and all. Bear in mind that there's no such thing as a failed experiment—only data." Great article, also in Scientific American, on why people commit suicide. Not saying it applies in this case, but I found it really interesting:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=being-suicidal-what-it-feels-like-t-2010-10-20

In particular, this:

“You’re going to die soon enough anyway; even if it’s a hundred years from now, that’s still the blink of a cosmic eye. In the meantime, live like a scientist—even a controversial one with only an ally or two in all the world—and treat life as a grand experiment, blood, sweat, tears and all. Bear in mind that there’s no such thing as a failed experiment—only data.”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010516 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010516 @Anon #5 I don't know exactly why, but I know JR had been having problems for years. I tangentially knew him (mutual friends) and just from the few times I met him, I can't say this is a surprise. I hope he's found peace. @Anon #5

I don’t know exactly why, but I know JR had been having problems for years. I tangentially knew him (mutual friends) and just from the few times I met him, I can’t say this is a surprise. I hope he’s found peace.

]]> By: cupcakecalamity http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010815 cupcakecalamity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010815 What a terrible loss. Thinking of those that love him. What a terrible loss. Thinking of those that love him.

]]> By: Utenzil http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010331 Utenzil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010331 Yes, this is sad. His the the kind of writing I like to read, and I wish I had known more about his work prior to this. Yes, this is sad. His the the kind of writing I like to read, and I wish I had known more about his work prior to this.

]]> By: jorge_salazar http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010341 jorge_salazar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010341 Thanks Boing Boing for this tribute for science writer J.R. Minkel. Thanks Boing Boing for this tribute for science writer J.R. Minkel.

]]> By: murray http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010126 murray Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010126 That's sad. I hope he left a note. That’s sad. I hope he left a note.

]]> By: IgnatiusJReilly http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010385 IgnatiusJReilly Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010385 Why do I feel like saying "Oh God?" And why when intelligent humans choose to end their lives do I feel extremely spooked? Why do I feel like saying “Oh God?”

And why when intelligent humans choose to end their lives do I feel extremely spooked?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010146 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010146 Very sad. I hope he can rest. Very sad. I hope he can rest.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1160953 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1160953 JR was brilliant. I sat next to him in 8th grade science class and had the biggest crush on him! No doubt many pages in my journal are forever dedicated to him. Wishful thinking to go back to a time of such innocence. JR you are missed dearly.. JR was brilliant. I sat next to him in 8th grade science class and had the biggest crush on him! No doubt many pages in my journal are forever dedicated to him. Wishful thinking to go back to a time of such innocence. JR you are missed dearly..

]]> By: tamgoddess http://boingboing.net/2011/01/28/jr-minkel-science-wr.html#comment-1010170 tamgoddess Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1010170 Damn. Suicide is a clusterf**k for everyone involved. It solves nothing. My condolences to his family and friends. Damn. Suicide is a clusterf**k for everyone involved. It solves nothing. My condolences to his family and friends.

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