This assumes way too much, and all of it without any evidence. In particular, it assumes that my entire sense of what constitutes success and failure comes from

This assumes way too much, and all of it without any evidence. In particular, it assumes that my entire sense of what constitutes success and failure comes from my admittedly elite education. But it has been decades since I graduated, and I have seen a lot of life since that time. In the decades since we graduated, plenty of my classmates have dealt with suicidal behavior, long term disabilities due to alcoholism or stronger drugs, repeated failed marriages, and a complete inability to hold down a job. Elite education sets you up for success, but it doesn’t just hand it to you once you get it. Plenty of people screw it up big time. The self-destructive behavior described in the article can continue in other walks of life and it does catch up. Especially as you get further away from your college days.