Citation

Seko Y. Learning Inquiry 2008; 2(3): 181-199.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008)

DOI

10.1007/s11519-008-0035-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Internet-mediated joint suicides or "Net group suicides" (Net shinjū) has become a significant social problem in Japan since 2002. Despite a privileged view of suicide-related cyberspaces as a murky underworld, there has been little study about how the participants of such spaces interact and perform their "suicidal" identity. Viewing cyberspace as a unique discursive playground that sprouts a myriad of transgressive narratives, this paper examines "Suicide Club" (Jisatsu Club) an online discussion forum that facilitated the largest "Net group suicide" in Japanese history. A thematic content analysis of actual postings on "Suicide Club" reveals the double-edged nature of the forum. While some participants were determined to seek suicide companions or what I metaphorically call "suicide machines," others used the board as a social outlet to freely disclose their pent-up struggles, attempting to collectively transgress social taboos of suicide. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2008.

Language: en

Keywords

Alternative discourse; Internet group suicide; Online interaction; Suicidal desire; Transgression of social taboo