The Atlantic: Why Luck Matters More Than You Might Think

My point exactly.

 

Everyone gets opportunities, it is being able to capitalize on those opportunities that makes one lucky.

DD

 

That's a load of crap. There are significant differences (both in quality and quantity) in the "opportunities" that a economically and socially privileged person receives versus those that a disadvantaged person receives.

Overwhelmingly, conservatives constantly suggest that those who are disadvantaged are in their situation because of a "lack" of hard work. Meanwhile, they totally discount the advantages and luck from which they themselves benefit mightily. This myopia would be more forgivable if it weren't for the fact that they then use this gross distortion of reality to obstruct policy that would help balance the field for the disadvantaged.

We're not talking about the extraordinary high achievers btw. The supermen and superwomen among us - those who are brilliant and tireless - are blessed with the internal resources to succeed under most any circumstances. But these super beings are rare - most of us are just average and we rely a great deal on good fortune. Using the success of the outliers as a justification to discount the importance of luck is just plain wrong.

 

I see a corollary in Christian circles replacing luck with blessing -- and some Christians feeling a very strong impetus to be humble and generous because whatever success they've had was God's work and not their own merit (it goes beyond luck even because their own merit is also God's work). As society becomes more humanist, there's much more license to believe in one's own merit and to rationalize hard-heartedness.

Succinctly said.

 

A lot more of life is random than we would like to/are biologically compelled believe.

It's the ability to overcome these biases that makes one a more enlightened person.

 

that assumes the kids parents were Rich. A LOT of non-rich people teach their kids those ethics and their kids end up successful.

Remember, almost 90% of Millionaires (in the U.S.) are First generation rich..meaning they didn't inherit their wealth, they built it.

 

For once I agree with SamFisher on something.

 

Agreed.

Also, while I can see a bit of the left/right angle, I think that the author is not necessarily only talking about that, and thinking he is means to over-interpret what he is saying. What does getting killed by a bale of hay have to do with being right or left? Furthermore, there can be plenty of people on the right who believe in luck and people on the left who think everything is a result of hard work. It's not as black and white as simple minds like the OP would believe.

 

Didn't read the thread....just want to point out that I have a sign in my classroom that says:

"Luck" happens when preparation meets opportunity.

 

+1

Many people's entire world view and sense of self is built around the idea that they have free will and are in only the most minute ways subject to random chance/luck. To recognize the opposite is shattering.

 

Which ingredient: preparation or opportunity?

 

Everyone has luck, everyone has opportunities, of course they are not all EQUAL opportunities, who said that? But most people have something in their life that they can take advantage of, that they either do, or don't and most of us have both.

DD

 

the less likely to have an opportunity , the harder you work to make up for it .