As More Bankers Commit Suicide, Media Scrambles to Explain What Should Be Obvious
We've already noted bankers' suicides over the past few months. As these increase, the media seems to be explaining them as having to do with "stress." The latest Bloomberg article takes this tack.
Could it be that some combination of the scandals - e.g., LIBOR fixing, gold price fixing - has something to do with this? Banks are the ones doing the fixing and these folks were in areas that either were perpetrating these activities or were at least aware of them.
It would seem that stress just doesn't explain what's happening here. Besides stress, this industry has seen its share of corruption and one suspects that this may have some bearing on people who decide they would rather leave this world than face the consequences of corrupt actions. Of course, I'm not judging anyone here, since I've no evidence handy. But unless our society is crumbling a lot faster than I think it is, killing yourself isn't something people do lightly. There's just got to be something more than stress involved here.
The one thing the writer hit on here is this idea of needing something in your life outside your company. Friendships, yes. But "networks"? What does that mean? Now, if we say faith in God, a strong moral code based on natural law, love of the True, the Good and the Beautiful - you know a solid connection to something beyond money and the material world - then we've got something with some substance that might make a difference in people's lives. Of course, it's too late for those who've decided that taking their own lives was the answer to whatever fear or other demons they faced, but it's not too late for all of us. If we can learn something from this disturbing trend, it's that we need to stop thinking that getting rich, seeking pleasure, and exerting power over others is the reason we were born into this world. It's not. And you'd better wake up if you think it is. Otherwise, you need to keep away from sharp objects and open windows.
Coroners in London are preparing to investigate two apparent suicides as unexpected deaths by finance workers around the world have raised concerns about mental health and stress levels in the industry.But hasn't the industry always been fraught with stress? So why should things be worse now? Could it be that these folks - as opposed to so many before them, and so many in other stress-filled industries - are in some unique position or condition that fosters suicide?
At greatest risk are “those who have not cultivated friendships, networks, outside of their company”...So too much focus on your work and not enough social life makes you kill yourself? Maybe. But, again, it's just financial services firms, specifically banks, that have seen this spate of suicide. Doesn't it seem like we're grasping a straws trying to explain this away by saying people were stressed out?
Could it be that some combination of the scandals - e.g., LIBOR fixing, gold price fixing - has something to do with this? Banks are the ones doing the fixing and these folks were in areas that either were perpetrating these activities or were at least aware of them.
It would seem that stress just doesn't explain what's happening here. Besides stress, this industry has seen its share of corruption and one suspects that this may have some bearing on people who decide they would rather leave this world than face the consequences of corrupt actions. Of course, I'm not judging anyone here, since I've no evidence handy. But unless our society is crumbling a lot faster than I think it is, killing yourself isn't something people do lightly. There's just got to be something more than stress involved here.
The one thing the writer hit on here is this idea of needing something in your life outside your company. Friendships, yes. But "networks"? What does that mean? Now, if we say faith in God, a strong moral code based on natural law, love of the True, the Good and the Beautiful - you know a solid connection to something beyond money and the material world - then we've got something with some substance that might make a difference in people's lives. Of course, it's too late for those who've decided that taking their own lives was the answer to whatever fear or other demons they faced, but it's not too late for all of us. If we can learn something from this disturbing trend, it's that we need to stop thinking that getting rich, seeking pleasure, and exerting power over others is the reason we were born into this world. It's not. And you'd better wake up if you think it is. Otherwise, you need to keep away from sharp objects and open windows.
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