From 13 Reasons Why to S-Town, the topic of suicide is fast becoming a mainstay in popular culture. 13 Reasons Why offers a particularly robust challenge to the carefree individualism that frequently characterizes our thinking. But why are we so preoccupied with self-destruction in the first place? After all, we’re healthier, more connected, and more comfortable than we’ve ever been. Why does our cultural moment seem so very sad? We’ll explore these vexing question in this three-part series. Please don’t hold the long title against me.