Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : I NEED To Sell a KIDNEY -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: E who wrote (556)	11/1/1999 8:59:00 PM
From: Edwarda	Respond to of 600

Oh, E, this kind of thing is appalling! Thanks (I think--shudder) for airing it.

To: E who wrote (556)	1/22/2000 10:11:00 PM
From: 10K a day	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 600

(Disclaimer: This is a Purely Fictional Story and any reference to anyone dead or alive is purely the Readers' imagination and hallucination...) HE WANTED SOMEONE TO LOAD HIS GUN Nine weeks before the recent senseless Atlanta shootings, "K44B" was pleading on an Internet-stock chat room to sell a kidney: "Due to severe financial stress, I have decided to sell off one of my two healthy kidneys. Can anyone advise me on how and where to go about this?" K44B asked. "I need money. I am desperate. I am heavily in debt--over $100,000. Just ran out of luck. I will lose my house, car, and my self-respect. I have few choices at this point. Most of you are unable to believe that someone could be driven to make this kind of decision. I assure you that this is a very serious search. It's easy to see how people go crazy in this country." The man's name was Mark Barton--the Atlanta-killings Mark Barton. After the murders, the authorities were notified, and were satisfied that it was the same deeply troubled person. This man was already over the edge, and needed therapy. He was losing his home, his family, his life. He'd already seen a counselor, but to no avail. Some people in the chat room believed his offer. Others thought he was joking. Most ridiculed him, taunted him. Many thought it was a giant comedy. Responses from over 500 posts on the thread went like this: "You sell livers too?" "Mmmm., kidney pie. Bid $1." "A giant flying alien reptile can smell a fresh kidney all the way from his orbiting spacecraft." "Do you have anything else you could sell--like your bike or some comics or something?" "Have you considered kidney counter-theft measures?" The joking continued: "Does anyone want to buy a soul?" "I've got a kidney. Come and get it. I'll sell it for fifty bucks." "A boy has informed me that he is willing to sell his brain. It has hardly been used." "I have a market order to buy one kidney." "Have you looked into selling some bone marrow?" "This is a joke, right?" A few took it seriously: "Man, don't panic. It'll all work out. People lose fortunes every day, every week. Just don't quit. You'll come back." "Selling a kidney is a crime. You might as well rob banks for the money." "God bless America, Dude! Thank God we can sell our kidneys without fear of recourse." "Take a deep breath. Sleep on it. It may take some work, but this is recoverable." "Why can't you sell the house and just rent a cheaper place?" Still others were philosophical: "The situation we've seen on this thread demonstrates the foolishness of those who have shown sympathy to this individual, and the insight, wisdom, and philosophy of those who have mocked him." "I bet anyone who thinks George Carlin is funny also thinks this kidney guy is a riot." "Folks are allowed to sell guns. They ought to be allowed to sell kidneys." "Ever heard of bankruptcy?" Then the kidney jokes and jeers continued: "Do you think there is a market for naval lint?" "I have a liver for sale. It has about 12 shots of life left." "I'll trade you one kidney for that liver. Deal?" "Maybe it's time to start a 'Save the Kidney--Hot Stock Picks' thread." "One kidney invisible, with juices for all." A few onliners showed empathy: "If this is not a prank, it is a serious cry for help." "This 'poster' needs counseling, not to be made the butt of a joke." "I'm shocked by some of these comments." "We don't know how sad the situation really is--how much suffering or desperation may be involved." "Don't kick a person who is obviously down and reaching out for help." Several weeks later, a horrific human tragedy resulted. But nagging questions remain. Could the killings have been prevented? Could Mark Barton have been helped before it was too late? Could anyone have saved such an emotionally disturbed person? Did this potential murderer really want help, or did he just want someone to load his gun?