Social consequences of a poor economy

"During a prolonged period of unemployment a few years ago, I also happened to be living in the suburbs. Gas prices weren’t what they are now, but I rationalized many other reasons why I shouldn’t bother to meet up with friends in the city. Too late, too many errands, too much else. I kept mainly to myself during those months.

Thinking back, I realize it was that I didn’t want to burden others with my frustration. Facing the inevitable questions discouraged me. How do you explain what you did all day, apart from sending resumes out? “Yeah, still looking.” Small talk is so much more aggravating without any positive news."

So true . . . more here

Art from inside the institution

A Mexican man who spent nearly half of his life in American mental hospitals is now being hailed as one of the giants of 20th century art.

Martin Ramirez, who was diagnosed as a catatonic schizophrenic after he immigrated to the United States in 1925, produced more than 300 mesmerizing drawings during his time in hospital wards. More.

The Lives They Left Behind

When Willard Psychiatric Center in New York's Finger Lakes closed in 1995, workers discovered hundreds of suitcases in the attic of an abandoned building. Many of them appeared to be untouched since their owners packed them decades earlier before entering the institution . . . continue.