Chapter 1: The Enigma of Success

Recently, I bumped into an old client from my IT days at the supermarket. He reminded me of a conversation we had a couple of years back. At that time, I had come up with a creative solution for a problem he faced, but my manager refused to bend the rules, even for a loyal customer. With a resigned look, he asked, "Why is it that smart people never seem to become leaders?"

Although it was meant as a rhetorical question, I've reflected on it over the years and believe I’ve uncovered some insights. While this piece is lengthy, it encapsulates a complex subject that could easily fill a book.

The Irony of Intelligence

It may sound harsh, but some intelligent individuals can act quite foolishly. They often overlook a fundamental principle of the universe: the law of action and reaction. For instance, if you throw a stone at a window, it shatters. Simply contemplating how to break the window won’t yield the same result.

Success hinges on action; without it, nothing unfolds.

Overthinking vs. Action

While foolish individuals act decisively, intelligent ones can become paralyzed by analysis. A simple journey from point A to point B can become an overcomplicated ordeal for a smart person, as they ponder every possible route and contingency. They might create various plans to navigate any obstacles, but this excessive deliberation often leads to inaction.

Eventually, the smart person may lose interest and abandon the journey altogether.

The Perils of Boredom

Consider this: a simple idea, like giving away free fries every Wednesday at a fast-food joint, can help establish a brand over time. Meanwhile, intelligent people—often bursting with ideas—struggle with consistency. They jump from one concept to another without allowing any of them the time they need to develop.

Instead of reflecting on what has worked in the past, they constantly seek new ideas, leading to impatience and frequent abandonment of their current pursuits.

The Illusion of Change

Many intelligent individuals harbor the misguided belief that they can change the world. The universe has existed for 13 billion years; what makes anyone think they can alter its course? The notion that a few passionate discussions can instigate significant change is naïve.

The universe remains indifferent to our arguments.

The System and Its Perception

The struggle against the system often parallels the desire to change the world. While some view the system as oppressive, it’s essential to recognize that no one forces us to engage with consumerism or technology. Instead of seeking to escape the so-called "Matrix," we should aim to understand it and leverage its mechanisms to enhance our lives.

Socialism and Its Consequences

It's no surprise that many intelligent individuals embrace socialist ideals, often due to their extensive education. They may advocate for wealth redistribution, believing it helps the less fortunate. However, they fail to see that penalizing productive individuals leads to a cycle of poverty for everyone.

To attain prosperity, one must stop viewing the wealthy as adversaries.

Refusal to Accept Reality

Intelligent people often struggle to accept the world as it is, frequently lamenting what "should" be. They become fixated on how things ought to change rather than adapting to existing conditions. Reality remains unaffected by opinions; the sky doesn’t become pink because one wishes it to be.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

Research by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger highlights a cognitive bias where unskilled individuals overestimate their abilities, while intelligent people often underestimate their own worth. This leads to hesitance and, ultimately, resignation.

Fear of Judgment

The fear of being scrutinized can paralyze smart individuals. They may avoid showcasing their work or exploring opportunities due to self-doubt, believing they aren't good enough to be recognized.

The Romanticism of Poverty

Many intelligent people romanticize poverty, associating artistic integrity with financial struggle. They often reject wealth in favor of an identity that aligns them with an intellectual elite, creating a false dichotomy between intelligence and financial success.

The Power of Action

Action is crucial for success. Most confrontations are decided by confidence rather than logic. If you want something, you must actively pursue it. The passive approach yields nothing.

Choices and Consequences

Ultimately, if someone claims they don’t value money or success, they should reflect on why they resent others who do. You cannot aspire to be something while simultaneously rejecting the core elements that define it.

Chapter 2: Insights from the YouTube Sphere

The first video, "Why Stupid People Are More Successful Than You," delves into the paradox of intelligence versus success, discussing how action often trumps intellect.

The second video, "Why Some Stupid People Are Successful... Even If You're Smarter Than Them," explores why some individuals achieve success despite a lack of traditional intelligence, highlighting the importance of action over analysis.