Alright, let's get this straight. Another day, another tragic death turned into a LinkedIn-friendly "inspirational" narrative. Cassandra Seier, ex-Goldman Sachs MD, died in a bike accident in the Bahamas. Horrible, obviously. A young son, a husband... devastating for them.
But give me a break with the hagiography already.
The "Trailblazer" Narrative: So Predictable
The articles are already dripping with corporate-approved tributes. "Visionary Leader," "Shaped global growth," "Advanced opportunities for women." Gag me with a spoon.
Look, I'm not saying she wasn't a good person or successful at her job. But this rush to deify anyone who kicks the bucket, especially someone who climbed the greasy pole of Wall Street? It's nauseating. The NYSE spokesperson said she was an "incredibly strong, vibrant member of our NYSE community." Translation: she made them money and ticked some diversity boxes. Wall Street Mourns The Loss Of A Leading NYSE Executive
And the "raising questions about how the exchange sustains its international edge going forward" bit? Seriously? They're already spinning her death into a business continuity concern?
The Problem With "Inspiration" Porn
This isn't about Cassandra Seier as an individual. It's about the machine. The content mill that churns out these sanitized, feel-good stories designed to make us all feel warm and fuzzy inside while conveniently ignoring the brutal realities of the financial world. You know, the same world that grinds people into dust and spits them out before they hit 50?
Seier apparently posted on LinkedIn about attending some WebSummit conference in Lisbon right before her death. I wonder how many hours she was actually sleeping.
The Women in Financial Markets angle is particularly cynical. "Her efforts to amplify female voices..." Oh, please. How many women really benefited from her "mentorship," and how many were just window dressing for Goldman's PR department? I'm just asking questions here, offcourse.
Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe she genuinely cared. Maybe she really did make a difference. But forgive me for being skeptical when the financial industry suddenly discovers its conscience after someone dies. Cassandra Seier Tribute Sparks NYSE and WIFM Support
The Show Must Go On (and Make a Profit)
It's all so…transactional. Even in death, people become commodities. Their stories are mined for content, their achievements amplified to sell a narrative of progress and inclusivity that rarely reflects reality.
Local news reports said she was taken by plane to the hospital. I wonder how long she was lying there waiting for that plane?
And what about the comments section on these articles? You know, the ones "moderated intermittently by human beings"? Bet there's a goldmine of authentic grief and genuine remembrance buried under a mountain of corporate virtue signaling.
So, What's the Real Story?
It's the same old song and dance. A life cut short is tragic, but the relentless PR machine will always find a way to spin it for maximum clickbait potential. Give me a break.