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 Those who follow me on Twitter or Facebook know that I received an inflammatory e-mail this morning. I wasn’t the only one to receive it – it was sent to a number of TV stations and public skeptics. And of course, this isn’t unusual. If you blog and take up a controversial position (yes, skepticism is sadly controversial), you’ll receive this delightful mail as well.
It was quite an offensive piece that threatened the entire population of the United States with slaughter and included a picture of “Goatse,” a well-known photo that I urge you not to Google. (When you do it anyway, just remember that I did warn you.) As the e-mail is offensive and even disturbing, I’ve put a photo of it here. You needn’t look at it to get my point.
What at first glance looks like a threat of violence from a mad man is actually something much more upsetting. It’s a cry for help that none of us are able to answer.
This particular gentleman is suffering. He probably has schizophrenia, though only a qualified medical professional should make that diagnosis. He knows the truth, and yet he can’t get anyone in the world to see what’s so very plain to him. His system of logic and reason is actually working – it’s just that his brain is feeding him false information.
Imagine if you suddenly had the ability to float. You can do this at will – just close your eyes, and you’ll feel your feet leave the floor. You show your family, and they think you’re playing a joke. Frustrated, you go outside and show the public, and they call you crazy. You videotape yourself floating, and while you can plainly see yourself floating on the tape, the media won’t even talk to you.
And then you come to the JREF, and you’re told that your abilities aren’t paranormal (as we did).
Add to that a constant buzzing or ringing in the ear, and you can begin to understand this man’s frustration. He knows, without a doubt, that he has an ability (his “ability” is quite different from floating), and he can demonstrate it any time, anywhere. Yet there’s this vast conspiracy that’s telling him it’s not real, and the sonic torture continues. For years.
At first, you might be reasonable, as this man appeared, but then, on occasion, you might lose your temper and lash out. After all, there’s an attack going on. His actions are self-defense.
So what are we to do? This man wants and needs our help, and yet we have none to offer. Mental health services are for the wealthy and well-insured. Those who can’t afford those services rely on family or end up on the streets. I don’t know this man’s situation, but I do know that he’s liable to get “help” in the form of incarceration if he keeps making threats.
I wish there was something more society had to offer. For now, all I have is worthless pity.
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If this person is making specific threats against specific persons, then this should be reported to the authorities just like one would do if they were earnest threats from a sane person.
A person can be arrested by local police if they are apparently "a danger to self or to others". The police can then commit them involuntarily to a mental hospital for evaluation. So it may be that the best thing you can do for him is to file an official complaint with his local police (or whoever has jurisdiction) and try to get him arrested. At least then he might end up seeing a psychological professional whether he wants to or not.