Can you write a timely column about suicide without mentioning the economy or guns? Can you get away with calling suicide an act of "chronological arrogance?"
You can if you're David Brooks, now back from "book leave," and ready to to present us with his "deep thoughts" on serious subjects.
Like many Brooks columns, this one is a jumble of references and quotes from someone else who wrote about the subject, and half-baked, barely coherent comments and conclusions. It leads to some conclusion ostensibly about "values," but almost always reeking of condescension.
But it sounds profound, so it appeals to many of the tote-baggers who read the NY Times.
Steve M. sums it up well at No More Mister Nice Blog:
When Brooks wags his finger at the suicidal for regarding humans as "completely self-determining creatures," he forgets what we're all told, day in and day out, by his own ideological camp: that we all make our own breaks, that anyone can be rich and successful, that failure is always the result of an unwillingness to work hard. There's no racism or sexism or homophobia, there are no societal impediments to social mobility, there's no burden you can't overcome if you just put your nose to the grindstone. If we see ourselves as "completely self-determining creatures," maybe it's because Brooks's fellow conservatives tell us we should.
What fascinates me about this Brooks column is what it
doesn't mention: PTSD, economic misery and guns.
For example, is "chronological arrogance" the main cause of these?
The more than 22 veterans a day who commit suicide.
Some of the men on the threshold because of economic upheaval about whom Brooks himself wrote just six months ago?
The great percentage of successful suicides when guns are used:
“Studies show that most attempters act on impulse, in moments of panic or despair. Once the acute feelings ease, 90 percent do not go on to die by suicide.”
As usual, Brooks identifies a problem, throws out some high minded sources and words, and reaches a "blame the victim" conclusion while missing the real issues.