It is not a zero sum world

Definition of zero sum: "of, relating to, or being a situation (as a game or relationship) in which a gain for one side entails a corresponding loss for the other side" (source: Merriam-Webster)

In this time of pop culture (according to Dictionary.com, "cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people"), social activism, and repugnant president election campaigning, it occurs that almost all the strident commentary is based upon the seriously flawed assumption that we exist in a zero sum world.

Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth in America.  For example:

• One person's academic success does not require another person's academic failure.
• One person's success in the workplace does not require failure by another.
• One group's advances does not necessitate another group's losses.
• One individual's home purchase does not require another person to give up his/her home. 

Nor is the inverse the truth, in that one's failure or loss automatically means someone else must succeed. 

Yet it seems a zero sum assumption permeates the worlds of the political and social activism.  In these worlds, the explanations invariably include the word fair.  In the eyes of these people, it is not fair that some succeed and some do not, therefore, if one succeeds, it must be at the cost of another.

In a word, absurd.  Life is not inherently fair.  That some are born with exceptional physical and mental capabilities has nothing to do with fairness.  So the Olympic medalist's achievement was not at the cost of requiring the mediocre or worse athlete to fail. 

Aside from non-issue of fairness, what also must be taken into account are determination and effort.  Volumes have been written about individuals overcoming adversity through determination and effort.  These accomplishments did not require that someone else fail.

One can be successful in any number of arenas, without it requiring a corresponding loss or failure by someone else.  Unfortunately, pop culture, politicians, and social activists are selling a seriously flawed product by stating otherwise.  Specifically, that your lack of success is directly due to the success of another group, so the only way matters can corrected in your favor is to either take the success from another and give it to you; deny success to others, then decree it automatically becomes yours; or deny success, achievement, accomplishment in pursuit of "fairness" or "equity."  Everyone must have the identical success.  Absurd! 

Until folks shed this approach, far too many citizens will be perpetually unhappy.  A far better approach is convincing the nation that each can succeed, through applying their God given talents in pursuit of education, employment, relationships, financial security, whatever.  Determinedly employing and improving ones talents through hard work, also known as effort, enables one to succeed.  And it does not require that anyone else failure or lose.

Are there problems in our nation? Most certainly.  Must we work to overcome them?  Also most certainly.  But doing so does not mean one person or group must fail or give up its success for another person or group to be equally or even more successful.