Elon Musk, Jeff Bessos, and billionaires like them are treated in society as geniuses, deserving of their massive fortunes.

And why wouldn't they? After all, they created themselves through their own ability to gather resources, identify an opportunity, and bend reality through sheer willpower and an unwillingness to give up.

But here's a question. What if none of that is true?

We view the rich as being both deserving of their wealth and integral to the functioning of society.

And this view is central to how we see ourselves and our own place in the world.

If billionaires exist and they are self-made,

then it means it's possible for regular folks like us

to rise above our stations.

If we can just work hard enough, find the right productivity system, and prove our own genius,

then we too can be accepted into the upper echelons of society.

And conversely, for those of us who are struggling, it must be because

we aren't willing to work hard enough. Because if success is measured in wealth

and wealth is always deserved and a result of one's own efforts,

then lack of wealth and being unsuccessful must be because you are lazy and unwilling to put in that effort.

This is the underlying philosophy of the United States.

The possibility of being successful ourselves

is something we all hold on to as we navigate the existential horror that is our day-to-day lives.

And not only navigate it, but accept it as the best and rightful system.

Because we believe that one day will beat the game, the

struggles we face along the way become badges of honor, something to be

happy about and celebrate. In fact, daring to want the system to be different.

Daring to change the system to something that better serves you and your needs is seen as an

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