The Highly Intelligent, Creative, Self-Destructive White Male in Literature and Film

Article here. Excerpt:

'The common theme of these self-depreciating, intelligent, white males is something that can be looked at in multiple ways. It is often times represented because for thousands of years white males have had a lot of control over society, and while that is blatantly wrong, in some ways these characters are ingrained to feel like they have to prove themselves. On the one hand, they appear to be wasting their life and negatively impacting the ones around them, but on the other, they are striving for something that so few people ever reach: Becoming the best at any single thing in the world. While this may not send a good message, it does show how just how close the gap is from above average intelligence and creativity to pure genius.
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Around 70 percent of all suicide victims in the United States are white males and it is no secret that high intelligence and creativity is a blessing and a burden, given that the more of each trait one possesses, the greater the chance of viewing the world and one's self in a negative light. The simple conclusion is that if they do not consistently reach their own personal goals set by their peak levels of intelligence and creativity they have deemed themselves a failure, and there is not much else to do besides sit back and watch them spiral downhill. While we are watching, we wonder why they abuse their bodies with alcohol and drugs, push people away, and flush their potential down the toilet. Unfortunately, the small percentage that have the penchant for this type of mindset often times are unable to stop falling down. However, sometimes they find a way out of that spiral, but only the ones with the most creativity and intelligence are capable of overcoming their greatest adversary: Themselves.'