What Does Capitalism Do To Your Brain?

[Keith Maitland]

Emile Durkheim, the French sociologist and philosopher focused on what capitalism does to the brain. Once industrialism takes hold and countries become consumer capitalistic, evidence shows that suicide rates shoot up. Some of his ideas on why people in general commit suicide, not just Americans, are that excessive individualism creates anxiety on where your place is in the world. You reap all the reward if you 'succeed', but on the flip side it is your fault if you fail.

Modern American society feels like it's every man for them self. Durkheim said that too much freedom creates anxiety and uncaring among people. I would say it is just as true now as it was one hundred years ago.

Any thoughts?

[L.A.]

Emile Durkheim, the French sociologist and philosopher focused on what capitalism does to the brain. Once industrialism takes hold and countries become consumer capitalistic, evidence shows that suicide rates shoot up. Some of his ideas on why people in general commit suicide, not just Americans, are that excessive individualism creates anxiety on where your place is in the world. You reap all the reward if you 'succeed', but on the flip side it is your fault if you fail.

Modern American society feels like it's every man for them self. Durkheim said that too much freedom creates anxiety and uncaring among people. I would say it is just as true now as it was one hundred years ago.

Any thoughts?

My guess would be that it is the powerlessness that causes depression and increased suicide rate. It's probably true that capitalism tends to create large companies where those at the bottom feel that they have no control over their lives, but the same was certainly true of old Soviet Block - probably more so.

Capitalism is not the problem, it's the way that we have historically structured our companies.

P.S.

And of course it's peoples attitudes, if people are believe that they are powerless, then they are - so Socialist propaganda about the downtrodden masses makes the problem worse.

[Aruntraveller]

I am not sure about this at all. If you take a look at the WHO suicide rates they do not seem to correspond that readily to my idea of what are the most 'capitalist' countries. Now admittedly it is the way the world for the most part now organizes itself - but I am not sure there is a causal link.

Indeed Cuba (that bastion of capitalism) is higher in the table than the USA.

For info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

[Gonnagle]

Dear Keith,



My thoughts!! Well they are Christian thoughts, one of the best feelings in this crazy world is to help your fellow man, one of the best ways to lift your Spirit is to serve your fellow man, Socialism in its most broadest sense.

The Bible is awash with sayings about helping your fellow man, The Second Greatest Commandment, The Good Samaritan, Our Lord washing the feet of his Disciples, giving your riches away, the very earliest Church was all about sharing.

Our Lord Jesus, a Great Socialist.

Helping others is not a cure all for depression, but the facts don't lie, when you help others less fortunate, when you become involved, it gives you a wonderful feeling inside.

Here Endeth the Lesson

Gonnagle.