[Old Student]

Most Excellent! Yes! ;) Though I must say I haven't seen any Buddhists immolating themselves lately...

I really am sorry. I know, you didn't ask for a character reference. :) If it helps, I almost sprained my index finger hitting "post" the first time. This kid is a wonder, in so very many ways. It's a wonder he survived... and so on. I hope to find a few like him in my classes, but hopefully with a few more functioning brain cells, too. I'm almost afraid to cite this story to my kids, but this is too perfect for a class in geography. Isn't it?

[inquest]

I hope to find a few like him in my classes, but hopefully with a few more functioning brain cells, too.

I tend to agree with the general sentiment on this thread, which is that it was gutsy and respectable and really cool, but if it was my kid, I would beat his arse so hard we'd have to install handicap bars around the toilet.

Seriously, though, I get the feeling he'll grow up to be a responsible adult.

I'm almost afraid to cite this story to my kids, but this is too perfect for a class in geography. Isn't it?

I can see your dilemma. If you cite this story to them, and one of them decides to, uh, take inspiration from it, how do you think you'd feel afterwards? It might perhaps be better to let them come up with their "inspiration" on their own. This is really tricky business. But on the other hand you're right that this might too good to leave alone. I really don't know the answer.

(but if you decide to go ahead with it, I had nothing to do with it, OK? ;-)