"The Sad Tally"

This direction faces the City of San Francisco

This direction faces the Pacific Ocean

Click to see the view from light pole 69

This fascinating little graphic ran in the San Francisco Chronicle this week as part of an ongoing -- if somewhat mawkish and overblown -- series on Golden Gate Bridge suicides.

The graphic shows where, exactly, each of 833 suicides were attempted, using the Golden Gate Bridge's streetlight poles as reference points.

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Comments

Rodrigo Perez says:

Interesting to notice that most suicides happen on the east side, facing the city.
But maybe that´s just the side of the pedestrin walkway.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

LOSER says:

mid span seem's to be the hot spot.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Beej Jorgensen says:

I think it's a good series nevertheless. It could actually deter some jumpers.

Hopefully.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Telstar Logistics says:

Rodrigo... or maybe it's both!

NorCal, it's pole 69, to be exact.

What puzzles me are the people who tried to jump on top of Fort Point on the south end, just beyond the toll booths.

As for the deterrent effect of the series; I can also imagine it having an encouraging, "copy cat" effect. We'll see...
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Guac Air [deleted] says:

A friend was theorizing about people that face inwards looking towards "civilization " vs. people that face outwards towards the sea. Some of this has to do with access, but there might be more to it. This series of articles is really important journalism (for a change).
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

mike1727 says:

Can you get a shot from pole 69?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Beej Jorgensen says:

mike: morbid, but a good idea.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Telstar Logistics says:

Mike, I had the same thought. I'll see if I can find time to head over there this weekend.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

SW Walsh says:

I'm hoping this series will finally spur them to put up barriers--better get that shot soon before the fences go up...
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

*very* interesting. I agree on the different hypothesis about pole 69. Maybe is a better final view than the bare Pacific... maybe as suicide is related -not exclusively- to difficulties to cope with stressful situations and to adpt to the social environment, as well as it is said that most of suicides are 'dedicated' to somebody... The act of facing the city has a deep psychological implication. A kind of 'it´s your fault', a 'for you' or a 'see me doing this' message.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

FlyButtafly says:

I wonder if maybe also, facing the city is more "comfortable," or something. Facing the ocean, a wide spanse of "nothing," maybe is a more frightening aspect than jumping into the Bay itself. Or maybe they're just hoping someone might see them - before or as they're jumping? Maybe it's feeling more assurance that their body will be found, rather than the fear it might float out to sea? (however irrational that may be)
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

bay_dragon says:

Awww... or maybe it's because 69 is fun? :) trust a jumper to come up with that one.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

CraigMarston says:

Blimey, morbid yet fascinating! :•])
Posted 42 months ago. ( permalink )

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"The Sad Tally"

Comments

Rodrigo Perez says:

*LOSER* says:

Beej Jorgensen says:

Telstar Logistics says:

Guac Air [deleted] says:

mike1727 says:

Beej Jorgensen says:

Telstar Logistics says:

SW Walsh says:

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

FlyButtafly says:

bay_dragon says:

CraigMarston says:

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LOSER says: