Hmm. Well, looking at the second part of your comment, I'll point out that the problem here is not necessarily in doing a fashion spread about these women but in doing one about their suicides. Obviously Plath's suicide has a lot to do with her popularity among certain groups, but I like to think that there's a…

I'll admit that I probably know more about Plath's death than I do about The Bell Jar, although I think a large part of that is the fascination society—not just the authors' estates—has with the artist who dies young, particularly when they kill themselves. I don't think that's a good thing for the estates to do, but…

But is that a problem? I don't know that it's wrong to say that art shouldn't glamorize suicide. (Setting aside for a moment that while these pictures do have artistic merit, I still don't think they're being presented as art.) I don't see much difference between saying that art shouldn't glamorize suicide and…

There are other ways to do advertising. Print it as photos with unrelated ads at the sides. Framing it as a fashion spread to me goes beyond simple advertising.

I'm certainly not the only person who took issue with this, but I see your point. I'm having trouble putting into words why this isn't edgy because, really, it can be considered edgy. The point behind edginess is to "rankle the majority", to shock and offend, and this does that. I think the sticking point, for me…

This is an interesting question. I think we can certainly recognize that from an artistic standpoint, these are incredible photos, and the people involved deserve credit for that. But I think they also deserve a bit of the blame—not as much as the people who came up with and approved the concept, maybe, but some—for…

The way in which we present things matters just as much what we present. I fully recognize that magazine express ideas, and while it might not be the ideal context, I think these images would be fine in the very same magazine if they were presented as art, perhaps with more detailed information about the women they…

I think it failed at being edgy because clearly more people have interpreted it as tasteless than edgy, and whether or not something succeeds in being edgy is dependent upon how it is received. I think it failed at being insightful because the message was overshadowed by what many see as a tasteless medium.

I won't say the spread didn't create conversation about the subject matter—heck, it made me look up Charlotte Perkins Gilman because I hadn't realized she committed suicide. I can see the argument that it's an artistic statement, but whether it's a failed attempt to be edgy or a failed attempt to be insightful…

The thing is, in a purely artistic context these could be incredibly moving (if painful) portraits. Some of the photos are really striking. But the problem is putting them in a medium that is used to glamorize and sell a look and a lifestyle, and trying to glamorize and sell suicide is disgusting and trivializes a…

The problem isn't the representation or even idolization of these women. The problem lies in the combination of the medium and the focus on their deaths. The point behind a fashion spread is to glamorize the outfits, the models, and the lifestyle in the photos. When the lifestyle in the photos is one of depression…

Seriously. I had way too much Lebanese food yesterday and I looked pretty much like this, only my clothes weren't as nice.

To be fair, we make sarcastic comments about abortion all the time. (Well, often enough.)

"Dick Van Dyke Saved by Porpoises" is still my favorite headline ever.

Aw, thanks. I've been missing him a lot lately since I rarely see my family.

This dog is ridiculous and exactly what I needed after that Father's Day thread.

I know a lot of people here have crappy dads/families, so I've been not talking too much, but since you give me the opportunity... I guess this isn't as much a memory as it is a ramble.

Thanks for the warning. I am taking Adderall, and watching my anxiety (which isn't too bad most of the time) is definitely a priority. Although I may be seeing about switching medications anyway, since it turns out I won't be able to buy it when I'm abroad next year.

That makes perfect sense! Most of the things I talked about with my therapist, especially early on, were also things I had talked about with my friend/boss. Trying to explain them in my sessions was so much harder because I felt like I couldn't say my half-formed thoughts like I could with my friend.

Yeesh. That sounds like a nightmare—glad it got sorted out eventually, but that's rough that it took your mom coming in to make things work the way they were supposed to.