This explains why singlehood proliferates in places where such networks can crystallise, he says: in many urban centres and in Scandinavia, where strong social safety nets free people to pursue their own goals.

ECONOMIST: Singletons

In Ireland and Greece, two of the hardest-hit economies in Europe, suicides increased by 13 and 17 percent, respectively, while in Finland and Austria, countries with strong social safety nets, the rates either climbed little or not at all.

FORBES: Suicide and Financial Crisis: How Real Is the Risk?

They had designed their gunboats to cut nets and be strong enough to withstand ramming.

BBC: Britain v Iceland: Fish now finance