I have been a fan of Robin Williams for as long as I can remember. From Happy Days, to Mork and Mindy, his stand-up comedy and movie roles, he left us with a library of memories that will bring us laughter and make us ponder and respect the greater things in life like poetry, genius and caring in the roles from Dead Poets, Good Will and Patch.
He made me laugh, cry and appreciate many things through his work. He dedicated time and money to charitable causes and to helping others in need. Hallmarks of greatness, he had more than a few.
Through his death he has raised awareness of the demons that those afflicted with mental illness, depression and substance abuse fight every day…often in silence.
To me, his death has 3 positives.
1.) Memories – I asked people on Facebook to share their favourite Robin Williams role and the responses showed just how deep and varied his talents were. It was great thinking about the roles he played and the things he did. 
2.) Awareness – With his death I have seen more mentions of suicide prevention information, hotline numbers for people in crisis and resources for people struggling with demons. It’s too bad that a tragedy such as this is what makes people want to share this kind of great information in volumes.
3.) Policies – Twitter vows to “improve their policies“…this is part of a headline from a Washington Post blog story that tells a piece of the story detailing how Zelda Williams has jumped off Twitter and Instagram after some nasty abuse she took on the platforms in the wake of her dad’s death.
But why would it take something like this for Twitter to improve their policies? People have been complaining for a long time about the abuses that have been happening on the networks. The cyber-bullying, the anonymous attacks on people, the callousness some can have in the name of “free speech”.
Twitter hangs on very tight to the rights granted under the 1st Amendment and rightfully they should. In many ways, it is for certain a big part of the success of Twitter but often that protective stance has allowed bullies and abusers to go beyond what most people in society would consider appropriate.
It’s too bad that any tragedy like this has to be the catalyst for change when there have been so many more examples of death and abuse fuelled by bullies. If this one makes the social networks better for all, then at least some more good will come out of it.
Thank you Robin, for everything.
Photo Credit: IMDB site
This is a good point. We must look at the lessons we can learn.
However, as the CDC warns, we must be careful of suicide clusters and avoid undue attention or sensationalisation.
Those with suicidal ideations from depression are at the bottom of a well. All they can do is reach out for the walls, which provide some framework. We are unable to reach out to others. We keep a social face towards the world, while sitting huddled in the dark. No amount of information would have helped me until I was diagnosed. Until then, I carried on in the world, facing my daily tasks, while suffering in the dark depths from the black dog of depression. Bosses, co-workers can be cruel, without realizing they are being so. Many are totally unaware of where you huddle.
Thanks Jenn.
It’s a place that only those that are or have been there can truly understand or appreciate.
Robin Williams made so many people smile. It’s hard to imagine what was going on in his mind. It’s sad his family is dealing not only with his passing, but senseless attacks. I think Twitter has allowed that kind of thing for far too long. I hope policy tweaks will affect some change, but sadly trolls will just find another outlet for their caustic remarks. I saw a new app this week that allows people to video fellow classmates and post anonymously. If that’s not a recipe for bullying and targeted degradation, I don’t know what is. Wouldn’t it be great if more people invested all that energy into being a positive change for good?
It’s unbelievable how people can react under the blanket of anonymity.
Sad really.
Thanks for the comment!
Tim, it appears your “like” and “reblog” buttons have disappeared??
I believe they are back again.
Bizarre. Thanks for the heads up Mike.
Reblogged this on Paramedic Mike and commented:
Great post Tim! Check this out guys!