Citation

Cameron S, Yang Lester B, Lester D. Arch. Suicide Res. 2005; 9(4): 389-396.

Affiliation

Centre for International Development, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110500182489

PMID

16179336

Abstract

This Commentary suggests that it is possible, from an economic perspective, that any individual artist/celebrity suicide may be of net benefit to society. Sales of the artist's products and associated merchandise may increase after the suicide, and people, including those who were not even born at the time of the suicide, may derive value from its iconic reification, not to mention the higher value they derive from some private goods. A case study of Kurt Cobain is given to illustrate this phenomenon.