This is a shift in how we understand problems and solutions. As Alex highlighted, research shows we're developing what economists call zero-sum thinking , or the belief that my success requires your failure, that wealth and opportunity are fixed pies to be divided rather than expanded. As Alex explains, zero-sum thinkers “see society as unjust,... See more

Zero Sum: Modern culture loves to play zero-sum games, where one person wins and everyone else loses. We see this in our sports, politics, and yes, in our careers. Our education systems have been designed around these zero-sum games where the goal is to plug you into the system as a ‘good worker’ in order to keep the corporate machine (and the... See more

There are plenty of service jobs that are meant to cancel out the efforts of other service jobs. One firm spends a few million dollars to hire a dozen ad agencies to convince you to purchase its car insurance policies; another firm hires a different dozen agencies and puts out other ads. One firm or person decides to sue another, creating the need... See more