It often happens, and of course sometimes with tragic consequences.

Here's a theory:  One of the most basic needs people have is to express themselves.  Being unable to do this causes frustration and a level of stress that can be almost unbearable.

What self-destructive people are expressing is that they feel pain, probably because of something that happened to them earlier in their lives.  

In any case, people who behave this way are often seen as romanticized figures by others who may or may not emulate them.

But in the end, life is worth preserving, and a tragegy is just that - a tragedy.  

did I miss omething?  Talking in circles doesn't help anyone, say what you need to say-please?

Usually my first instincts about things tend to be on-target, so I will share what first occured to me while contemplating this issue. I think that by and large in the human community, a "dramatic" temperment is more rare than standard. So is the ability to be expressive and extroverted. I think when "tragedy" occurs, it might be interesting to the larger part of the population that either wouldn't even think of doing such a thing, or could never ACT on such a thought. I imagine this is tied into the same parts of the psyche that make most of us look when passing a car wreck, as well. We wonder,"What would that be like," and we think,"God, I'm so lucky it wasn't me." We make up elaborate fantasies about the person's life and family, etc. (This of course all varies by degrees and level of personal boredom.) Anyway... Basically, I guess I think it boils down to novelty and wanting distraction from a hum-drum existance.

There's never a reason to forgive self-destructive behavior especially under the guise of misspent youth or worse a drunken father or mother.

LMAO!! You took the words outta my mouth!