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General discussion

Toxic People

Jan 16, 2015 8:45AM PST

I was watching Jeopardy and one of the person's mentioned was Ambrose Bierce, who disappeared in Mexico after writing the "Devil's Dictionary". Not sure the subject of the dictionary since he's been a "printer's devil" when younger. Anyway, he reminded me of other satirist and the effect they have on others, not just their public targets but the effect they have on those closest to them, family and if they have any, friends.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_Bierce

He wrote the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" and compiled a satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. His vehemence as a critic, his motto "Nothing matters", and the sardonic view of human nature that informed his work, all earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce"
Bierce married Mary Ellen "Mollie" Day on December 25, 1871. They had three children: two sons, Day (1872-1889) and Leigh (1874-1901), and a daughter, Helen (1875-1940). Both of Bierce's sons died before he did: Day committed suicide after a romantic rejection, and Leigh died of pneumonia related to alcoholism. Bierce separated from his wife in 1888, after discovering compromising letters to her from an admirer. They divorced in 1904; Mollie Day Bierce died the following year. Bierce was an agnostic. Bierce suffered from lifelong asthma as well as complications from his war wounds.

Discussion is locked

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(NT) I saw that tonight. Hadn't a clue who it was.
Jan 16, 2015 10:02AM PST
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He doesn't sound like
Jan 16, 2015 3:40PM PST

anyone I wanted to know. I wouldn't be surprised if Pancho Villa didn't have him executed for some satirical crack he made about Pancho. It's always an amazement to me that some are able to actually make a living by it. Maybe it's like the naughty kid at school, nobody really likes him, but he's entertaining nevertheless?