Credit: ROGER KISBY/GETTY

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ROGER KISBY/GETTY

News of Chris Cornell’s suicide last week sent people racing to draw conclusions about what his untimely passing meant—about Seattle music, prescription drugs, mental health, celebrity, suicide, et cetera. It’s an understandable impulse, both because of the changing nature of time and the way social media contorts our most heartfelt expressions into uncomfortably predetermined postures.

Sean Nelson has worked at The Stranger on and off since 1996. He is currently Editor-at-Large. His past job titles included: Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, Film Editor, Copy Editor, Web Editor, Slog...