Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id JAA21306 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 27 Jun 2001 09:43:12 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745F37@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Fwd: MIT student's death ruled suicide Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 09:16:19 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain X-Filter-Info: UoS MailScan 0.1 [D 1] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
I'd be surprised if it was academic pressures in US universities, but peer
pressure e.g. not getting into fraternities might be a factor.
I believe Lancaster in the UK has the highest rates of student suicides (or
did when I was an undergrad.). Student hardship in the UK is ever on the
increase, with grants being replaced by loans putting students massively
into debt. There are reports of students literally prostituting themselves
to pay their way through university.
Doesn't the stuff David Phillips did in the 1970s suggest that there is an
actual increase in suicides after reported suicides? I don't think the two
are related in any strong sense, but Phillips did I believe.
Vincent
> ----------
> From: Philip Jonkers
> Reply To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 3:31 pm
> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Subject: Re: Fwd: MIT student's death ruled suicide
>
> Suicide-rates high at USA's elite universities. Interesting stuff
> again Wade. I know of no suicide cases here in Holland. Perhaps
> the pressure to achieve is just set too high at elite US universities.
> As a result of exposure to too high expectations these stresses
> may have generated motives to commit suicide.
> The memetical properties to make them successful memes, fidelity
> and fecundity, may have increased further once suicides
> actually started to occur. A frightful doomsday scenario.
> I wonder though how elite universities at other nations fare.
> Anybody any suggestions or info?
>
>
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>
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