you don't know how to assess your competition because you haven't competed
In the movie Limitless, a struggling writer Eddie Morra is introduced to NZT, a cognitive overdrive pill that gives him super powered system two control and ability to turbo charge his memory and other mental processes in a manner akin to a superhuman AI.
After turning round his novel in a matter of days, Eddie's attentions shift to matters of global finance and, such is his meteoric success in that field, he quickly draws attention from business mogul Carl Van Loon (played by Robert DeNiro), who ropes him in as a key advisor etc.
Very soon Morra starts to believe his own hype, au naturellement, but the hard-nosed Van Loon cuts him down.
'Your deductive powers are a gift from God or chance or a straight shot of sperm or whatever or whoever wrote your life-script.
A gift, not earned.
You do not know what I know because you have not earned those powers.
You're careless with those powers, you flaunt them and you throw them around like a brat with his trust-fund.
You haven't had to climb up all the greasy little rungs. You haven't been bored blind at the fundraisers.
You haven't done the time and that first marriage to the girl with the right father.
You think you can leap over all in a single bound.
You haven't had to bribe or charm or threat your way to a seat at that table.
You don't know how to assess your competition because you haven't competed.'
Talent, experience and paying your dues? What a concept.
It's a cop out for the Gen Y audience. Morra outsmarts Van Loon at the end and ultimately runs for President.
There you go kids, it's true. You DON'T have to pay your dues.
There's always a shortcut.
Except when there's not.
You don't know how to assess your competition if you haven't competed.
At least in part, the Zuckerberg's of this world have risen to the top without having to compete.
But paying your dues from the top is a better vantage point.
One day, when the shit hits the fan and they come out the other side, Zuck et al will have learned about competing - just like Van Hoon - then they will have earned their powers. Then the real game starts.
