Nothing gives a man more of a sense of purpose, and there remains nothing more dignified, than hauling yourself out of bed and going to work. But some of those jobs that went away in the recession — some whole professions — are never coming back. That's what the men in this story are facing. They are men. That we all know. They might even be us.

Vivek Ranadivé wants to harness the ocean of data in this world. And save civilization.

How can a man get through such a thing? After the brutal murders of your wife and children, you have two choices: You go on living. Or you don't.