I've thought similarly and extrapolate this to a kind of spectrum of "numbness" vs "sensitivity" that occurs in everyone in varying forms and degrees. This help

I've thought similarly and extrapolate this to a kind of spectrum of "numbness" vs "sensitivity" that occurs in everyone in varying forms and degrees. This helps move the discussion away from one of objective character towards one of appropriate opportunities and role fits. For many people, the pain of a certain kind of work goes unnoticed. They aren't stressed, and so they can succeed wildly. It could be physical labor, technical problems, dealing with people. For the pathologically successful, the thrills come through something that most are too sensitive to handle. Think of surgeons operating on themselves, athletes who play extreme sports, artists who eagerly turn their most private thoughts into commodities, businesspeople who stay up late dreaming of ideas for exploiting the land and the people. On some level all of these folks are monstrous - but society, where it is wise, finds a way to validate their interests to some greater benefit. And I do see some whiplash frequently occurring with people just leaving school and coming to terms with these limitations of sensitivity, and their gradual development of some ethical center. They can't just do a good job and go home, like they thought. They can train as hard as they want, but they can't not feel the thing, and that puts them in a state of preoccupation about the problem. The silver lining to this cloud is that someone who is both sensitive to the issues and a survivor among predators can put themselves in a position to change the rules, especially in business, because they are most aware of where the market will reward ethical behavior. It's surviving that long that's the problem.