Chloe Camarena

Sociology

March 19 2017

The video that I watched was a Ted Talk: Kevin Briggs, The bridge

between suicide and life. In this video Kevin Briggs the speaker talks about

his days as a policemen In San Francisco and how he would get calls about

people who are on the ledge of the Golden Gate Bridge to jump off and take

their life. He had many encounters and calls about that, and out of all the

calls he had gotten, only two did not make it. But like he said, that is still two

too many. He said that most of the time, the only thing that those people

need is just for someone to listen. The main point of the video was yes to get

awareness out there about suicide prevention, but as well as a message to

society. He stated that the bridge connects two places together, but also

people. He then goes on to say that in life, that is what is needed, for people

to come together, and sometimes just listen.

How the scientists would see Kevin Briggs video. For Comte, he is all

about reassurance and that scientific proof is the real truth. For him, if he did

not see stats about what Briggs is talking about he would not be a believer in

his hope and bridge metaphor for people. Marx would see it as a popularity

type of thing almost. Instead of thinking that a person would have a mental

illness or depression he would see it as a class thing. Those from the upper

class could never and would never do such a thing however someone from

the working class, whose life isnt as good, would do something of such sort.
For Durkheim, he would believe that the reason for this person wanting to

commit suicide is because of the social norms in which he grew up with, and

chances are more than just that one person. He would say that that person

was probably not integrated into society and didnt feel as though he/she

belonged.

The paradigm that this videos context falls under would definitely be

social interactionism. The whole main message of Kevin Briggs was basically

for people to be there for one another and come together. People play a huge

role in others life, and can even alter it in a life changing or saving way. By

being there to talk or even just listen to others, that simple interaction with a

being contemplating taking their life could save them. Social interaction is

key to having a well functioning society.