MIT Tech Review reports on a new study which used computer model to analyze wealth distribution in society. It concludes that the majority of riches do not result from talent, intelligence or hard work - but luck. Those who succeed most in modern society are born well and experience several 'lucky events' which they exploit, but are of mediocre talent. The study's abstract states that the model has potential for encouraging investment in the genuinely gifted, and summarizes:
"...if it is true that some degree of talent is necessary to be successful in life, almost never the most talented people reach the highest peaks of success, being overtaken by mediocre but sensibly luckier individuals. As to our knowledge, this counterintuitive result - although implicitly suggested between the lines in a vast literature - is quantified here for the first time."
(Score: 5, Informative) by Whoever on Sunday March 04 2018, @03:48AM (2 children)
It would matter if that statement were true.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday March 04 2018, @05:14PM (1 child)
If you have some means to refute that claim, by all means do so.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 06 2018, @04:53PM
It was not his decision to be born out of a wealthy family.