This passage reminds me of how we all have a tendency to attribute successes to ourselves but failures due to others. Of course, that doesn’t apply to everyone.
Working hard does positively contribute to the probability of “success”, however we deem it. However, its not the only thing in the equation. Many other factors such as luck, environment and timing play a much bigger role. For those of us whom have the concept that hard work is the only reason for success, and that people whom failed simply didn’t “want it enough” or “work hard enough”, that makes it much harder for them to empathise with people whom have “failed”.
I’ve always felt like the concept of “deserving” a certain status or success to be inexplicable. Many athletes might have worked equally hard, but there can only be 1 winner in sports. In such cases, it seems strange when we laud the sole winner for all the hard work they’ve put in, especially when the other competitors have, most likely, put in the equals amount of work. After all, they are not competing for the being number 1 in “working hard”.
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t believe in the concept of “hard work”. It is dangerous and probably overtly nihilistic to think so. However, the idea that we deserve something just because of all the effort and time put in is equally dangerous. It traps us and creates a situation where we are bound to be let down. It also blinds us to the many other factors that might have led to success, and makes it harder for us to empathize with “losers” if we’ve actually “won”.
I very much rather believe in just doing things in a deterministic manner. Do A, B, C and hope it leads to D. If it dosen’t, then try again. Life is already hard enough without living with an entitlement to success.
