Garret Hardin and wife die, possible suicide

September 20, 2003 12:14 PM

Garret Hardin and his wife Jane were found dead last Thursday in their house of Santa Barbara (California), presumably a double suicide. His 1968 essay Tragedy of the Commons (a critique of both communism and laissez-faire capitalism in the light of natural resources constrains) was one of the most widely known works of this expert in population and ecology. Garret was 88 and Jane was 81 and both were in poor health. Last week celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They were members of the Hemlock Society (now know as End-of-Life Choices).
posted by samelborp (11 comments total)

See here for more information. Both of the Hardins will be sorely missed.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 12:50 PM on September 20, 2003

Sad to see them pass, but I can understand not wanting to spend years slowly dying.
posted by jonson at 1:15 PM on September 20, 2003

Hemlock/End-Of-Life is a great organization, very legit and sincere. Thanks for the link.
posted by dhoyt at 1:22 PM on September 20, 2003

thanks samelborp. never heard of the Hardin's or the 'Tragedy of the Commons' but what a fascinating read. sorry to see them go, happy that they've moved on.
posted by poopy at 1:40 PM on September 20, 2003

I support and celebrate their choice. Godspeed to whatever destination they believe. And for what it's worth, I've been a member of/supporter of the Hemlock Society for 20 years or so...but that "End-of-Life Choices" sappy meme makes me crazy.
posted by dejah420 at 8:04 PM on September 20, 2003

what dejah said. I hope someday before I'm stuck in a nursing home or worse it becomes possible for us to end our lives openly, with dignity and control.

End-of-Life Choices is weird phrasing tho...are they trying to piggyback on pro-choice?
posted by amberglow at 8:21 PM on September 20, 2003

This is the second weird thing I've found today that takes place in my apparently pretty wacky town. [this is sad]
posted by kevspace at 8:27 PM on September 20, 2003

i agree amberglow... after reading their decision on coming up with a new PC name - with focus groups even - perhaps they should've cut the b.s. and called it 'fuck this, i'm outta here'.
posted by poopy at 8:32 PM on September 20, 2003

From monju_bosatsu's link:
They were also dedicated to population stabilization through both family planning and reduced immigration. Garrett was a member of the board of directors, (later emeritus) of the Federation for American Immigration Reform. They were also longtime supporters of Planned Parenthood.
Garrett Hardin was 88, and Jane Hardin was 81. The couple is survived by their four children.
Hmm...
posted by Finder at 8:46 PM on September 20, 2003

kevspace - you need to post that thing to metafilter's front page.

Shame about the Hardins - I guess. Maybe not.

I wonder if they also were depressed about the state of the world?
posted by troutfishing at 8:56 AM on September 21, 2003

The changing of the name is yet another example of PC mind-control gone mad. The Hemlock Society says what it needs to and has some shred of dignity without shying away from reality. End-of-Life Choices sounds like something named by a government department.
posted by dg at 5:15 PM on September 21, 2003