How Can He Find No Reason to Live at 27?

What is it about being 27 years old, extremely talented and having no reason to live? Scientists must have an explanation. Somebody has to have noticed the pattern by now.

When I read about Kurt Cobain’s suicide I was extremely saddened (“Cobain’s Widow Reads Parts of Suicide Note at Seattle Vigil,” Section A, April 11). When I read the pain in his wife’s words at the candlelight vigil, I had to write. I do not know Cobain or Courtney Love. I have never bought one of Nirvana’s CDs. But I do recognize that ominous pattern, that familiar frustration in talented people. It’s cloaked in being true to one’s self. It’s convincingly explained as having lost the passion. But it really means the soul needs a refill. It’s simply out of gas; overused, abused and overadmired. It means you have to dig deeper for more answers to life’s questions.

So I’m lobbying for a warning label on the bottle of Talent. It must read, “May cause extreme drowsiness at peak dosage. May diminish your gift or passion for an extended period of time, but will regain full capacity as dosage is regulated. Do not take any other drugs while taking this medication. If symptoms persist, consult your physician, nutritionist or spiritual adviser. A temporary change in character may occur while taking this medication, and judgment may be impaired. Do not commit suicide or perform any other dismemberment activities while taking this product. “

I was 27 once, accomplishing a torrent of creative activities. Life knocked me to my knees, then pushed me down the stairs to the basement. There is no way to describe the utter helplessness down there. There is no way to describe the utter frustration from up here--now. I’m 38, and when I heard about Cobain’s suicide, I actually remarked to my husband, “How can anybody so uniquely talented think life isn’t worth living?”

I feel hypocritical for even saying such words, knowing full well that that could have been me 10 years ago. So hear me out, all you fans of Nirvana, who are buried deep in confusion and grief, and hear me out all you talented people on the edge who don’t think you can possibly go on because your passion and trueness are in jeopardy. The biggest creative buzz of your life comes from saving yourself, and filling up with gas for the next run.

PAMELA LAWSON

Los Angeles

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Whether he liked it or not, Cobain was indeed the spokesman for his/my generation, and his death leaves an aching void.

His songs weren’t merely entertainment. They were a vicarious form of primal-scream therapy. When you heard Cobain’s pure-id howl, you could feel his pain, which was also your pain. And the cathartic effect was undeniable. The power of his voice, lyrics and music somehow made you feel better--especially if you turned it up loud.

But now, whenever I hear his voice, it only fills me with sadness.

TYLER CARAWAY

Dana Point

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Although it is not likely that Cobain reached for the ultimate of that of a Buddhist monk, the irony is still there. Edwin Luther Copeland published a book in 1963 titled “Christianity and World Religions.” In the chapter on Buddhism, he describes nirvana.

“ Nirvana , the state in which desire is extinguished. Buddhists insist that nirvana is not the negative experience of ‘nothingness’ or ‘annihilation’ but the positive experience of ‘freedom’ or ‘emancipation.’

“A monk may reach the experience of enlightenment and entrance into nirvana in this life. For him, all craving is gone. He knows the impermanence of self, so there is nothing about him to be born again, to live again, or to die again. Full nirvana comes to him at death when the constituents of the self are finally dispersed.

“This concept of nirvana suggests two things: First, the desire to cling to individual existence as a person must be extinguished. Second, there is an impersonal reality into which one can be absorbed.

“The layman cannot hope to reach nirvana in this life, but he can amass merit for a next existence which will be more favorable for attaining the ultimate goal.”

THE REV. LARRY JONES, D.D.

Bride’s Choice Wedding Chapel

Los Angeles

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It’s sad, tragic really, that Cobain took his own life. But Robert Hilburn now wants to lump Cobain with Bob Dylan and John Lennon (!) (“A Poet for the Dysfunctional Age,” April 9). It’s like comparing Michael Tuck with Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow; Shannen Doherty with Bette Davis and Ava Gardner.

Cobain was an interesting guy and wrote some cool songs. Dylan and Lennon changed us--for the better. I hope Cobain rests in peace. However, there’s no benefit to any of us left here to promote him above his worth. I’d say he had the impact of . . . Kurt Cobain.

B. DIRK YARBOROUGH

Huntington Beach

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In response to Cobain’s death and the despair of his generation, I asked myself why those of us born in the ‘60s and ‘70s think we’ve had such a difficult life. Those born before us had wars, the Depression and the struggle to make a new life in a new country. What made our struggles so much more difficult that we can’t seem to grow up or function?

We were the comfort kids; nice neighborhoods, Brownies and Cub Scouts. We thought it would never end. We watched TV and believed it to be the truth as our parents got drunk and fought.

We are still children looking for the Brady Bunch and, at the same time, someone to blame that we didn’t get it. We choose image over substance every time and wonder why our lives seem hollow.

Cobain did define his generation. Like Pinocchio but in reverse, he chose to be a dead icon rather than live like a real boy.

JOY HILL

Trabuco Canyon

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Just to numb ourselves in drug abuse would only increase and not decrease the problems and pain of our lives. I pray that all people in our troubled world would find the inner comfort, strength, peace, joy and hope that only come from a good relationship with our heavenly maker.

DANIEL LIM

Westminster

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You sold yourself out to the lowest bidder.

And all you could see was the easy way out.

What about your daughter?

What about your wife?

What about your mother?

And what about your life?

What about all those people

That you so selfishly left behind?

You sold yourself out to the lowest bidder.

And all you could see was the easy way out.

I’m disappointed in you

Of that there is no doubt

But I’ll miss you anyway.

RICK TORRES

Canoga Park

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The generation that cries out that they are the victims of all the mistakes of our parents’ generation has lost their icon. We have been labeled the “X Generation”--lost and confused, constantly soul-searching. For what? I guess that is the problem. We do not actually know what it is we are looking for.

Being 24 years old, I am tired of Cobain being held up as a spokesman for my generation. I am embarrassed to be coupled with a selfish individual who could be such a coward and take his own life, leaving behind his wife and his child.

We cannot afford to have Cobain be our spokesman; there is too much at stake. It is time for this generation to reintroduce the concepts of virtue, family, commitment and life and end this selfish soul-searching that has been attributed to us.

JEFF LE PERE

Lake Forest