Call of the Void

So, I read a book a few years back in which the main character, ruminating, said, this, more or less: When I am on a bridge or another high place, I am not afraid I‘ll fall. I‘m afraid I‘ll jump.

I realized, on reading this, that this is exactly what I feel. I don‘t want to die, but there is this curiosity…. What if? At times, it’s overwhelming, and I need to step back.

I have mentioned this to a few folks since, and a friend tells me that this is common, it is called „The Call of the Void“. My brothers both said, when I mentioned it, „Of course! Don‘t we all feel that way?“ But apparently not…. Most folks look at me like I am deranged.

So, anyone else feel this? You aren‘t afraid you‘ll fall, but afraid that you‘ll jump?

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Richard65 · M

I understand your point, I wonder how it would feel to fall, but I'm not compelled to do it. I often have scary dreams where I'm falling from a great height and trying to cling on. That's clearly some Freudian thing going on in my head.

Worryingly, a survey was done in the UK some time ago which discovered about 30% of drivers hear a voice in their heads urging them to swerve into the oncoming lane. I guess a lot of us carry some bizarre self destructive desire deep inside. Maybe it's allied to The Rapture...?

RedBaron · M

@Richard65 More than likely, it’s allied to craziness. 🤷‍♂️

Richard65 · M

@RedBaron maybe, but I think there's something much deeper. Some said they had their families in the car when they got the urge to drive into oncoming traffic. We're all queuing up to watch disaster movies about apocalyptic carnage or the destruction of cities or the end of Mankind.

RedBaron · M

@Richard65 https://nypost.com/2024/04/28/us-news/california-doctor-dharmesh-patel-who-drove-tesla-with-family-inside-off-cliff-experienced-psychotic-break-during/

Richard65 · M

@RedBaron that's awful and he clearly has some psychological issues. The UK survey didn't say the drivers had mental issues. All of them said they never would act on the impulse to drive into oncoming traffic, they just felt the urge to. Some said they heard an inner voice suggesting to them that they do it. I have no psychological issues, but, as a passenger, I've sometimes wondered what would happen if the car suddenly veered into the opposite lane. It does feel like an urge and I've sometimes even thought that I could suddenly grab the steering wheel. It's a mysterious sensation. Perhaps it has something to do with changing destiny or altering fate by doing something completely unexpected that would have huge consequences. 🤔

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