Born to be rich/poor?

[BigtubOLard]

This got me thinking. The linked blog post (5 minute read) explores the possibility that genes might be partially or in a large way responsible for determining our capacity for success.

IF (and that's a big if) this is true, should we have more empathy towards people whose poor choices or lack of ambition doom them to a less satisfying quality of life? Conversely, should we have fewer sour grapes towards people with charmed lives as they can't help their good fortune?

"Born to Be Rich! - by Ghaffar Hussain" https://ghaffar.substack.com/p/born-to-be-rich?r=1ntsfp&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

What utter nonsense. My ds is rich because her dh died and was well insured. Fuck all to do with genes.

Genetics schmenetics.

If you want something, you take small steps each day in that direction. Whether that's to be wealthy or healthy - the magic is in the action-taking.

genes might be partially or in a large way responsible for determining our capacity for success

It is well known that things like intelligence, energy levels, health are often driven by genes. These things obviously have a big impact on our ability to succeed. (Of course they are not the only factors but they have an impact). So how is this article saying anything new?

It's the empathy aspect: some people will sneer at those who are less fortunate because "they brought it on themselves". Others will rail against entrepreneurs because they shouldn't deserve such success. If genetics does play a major role then we can surely have more empathy towards people on both ends of the success spectrum, no?

Genetics are important.

But blog posts are generally full of shit.

Risk-taking and intelligence are both highly heritable and very very important in success. Even weird things like job satisfaction are mildly heritable. Everyone wants to believe it's 'hard work' and under their control. They're wrong.