G e has been encumbered with enormous debt and under performing operations. The idea is to pop a bitter pill right now in the hopes of safeguarding shareholder interest over the next few decades, perhaps. While conglomerates are breaking up in the us, some parts of asia, indian conglomerate still seem to be going stronger than ever. What's the reason for this resilience? We don't know, but it would make for a great story, wouldn't it?