Well, enough of why Bourdain killed himself. Bourdain was brilliant. He was witty, charming, but more importantly you genuinely knew that he cared about every single person he was sitting down and talking to. He always, always respected them and his audience and he never treated you as anything but a friend.
When the news came out about his death I was not surprised. I know what depression is like, the secret suffering (I don't want or need pity comment)s. You can be open and loving and happy on the outside but every hour wonder what's the point of helping people hurt other people, which is ultimately what most of us do. I mean, we couldn't all eat and travel like Bourdain without destroying the planet (worse) and you know he was self-aware to know that. He probablys aid it. Bourdain lived a very large life, he'd seen enough like Hemingway and Wallace and Bennington and...there's a pattern here but I'm sure I'm leaving lots of people out...had before him.
But the way the world reacted to his death. The absolute incomprehension, the continued downplaying of issues like depression even on "educated" places like HN, the conspiracy theories (happy people don't kill themselves - ergo child trafficking), the way we as people and societies bicker about the smallest and stupidest of things and will kill each other over it...I'm certain that's why Bourdain was the person he was, and I thank him for all he taught me and others.