4 ms·
> ...all successful people are talented and hardworking. I doubt it. Most measures of economic mobility show this is becoming less and less true -- if it ever
by rgifford 5y ago
> ...all successful people are talented and hardworking.
I doubt it. Most measures of economic mobility show this is becoming less and less true -- if it ever was. I think believing it is important though.
- ipnon 5y agoSuppose someone is average and lazy. They're practically guaranteed to live a life of coasting by from job to job, living paycheck to paycheck, and struggling to get by in America these days. That is not success by my measure.
- rgifford 5y agoWhat if that someone is average and lazy in their work to devote the rest of their time to their family? What if they raise a bunch of kids that love their parents, care about each other and the world and want to make it better? Would that be success? What if they were molested and use drugs to cope, but live their entire life without molesting anyone else? Would that be success? What if they have serious depression and they check out by playing video games, but they don't kill themselves? Would that be success? Holding up a few spectacular achievements as the paragon of human experience is fucking stupid. I genuinely think really rich (and smart) people do it to try to salve their guilt and signal for others.
- ipnon 5y agoYes, in general, but in the context of the original article success would be defined as higher education, well-paying job, able and healthy body, etc.
- pyrale 5y agoIn the context of the original article, success would be defined as what people can do to contribute making the original author more successful.
- rgifford 5y agoAhh so "How to Work Hard" is really "How to Work Hard for the Privileged and Unsuffering." I was confused as there was no mention of privilege, no disclaimer, no recognition of his revelation as an innate human need as fundamental as those for connection or play. Graham figured out work folks, pack it in. Maslow, step aside.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- kylestlb 5y agoJust want to say that I agree with everything you've posted in this thread, and it's always shocking to me that people still believe the prosperity gospel in 2021.
- azemetre 5y agoWhat if you were born into a family worth millions? Sounds like massive success in my books.
- chillwaves 5y agoAnd if they are stupid and racist, they get elected president.
- digislave 5y agoWell the most important factor of economic mobility has historically been women marrying up. So you might be on to something - it seems doubtful that wives who were able to marry up work that much harder than other wives.
- rgifford 5y ago... what? Do you have a source here? > The major correlates with high economic mobility Chetty identifies are racial segregation, income inequality, school quality, family structure and social capital. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_article_071414.html https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_articl...