No Zero-Sum

[Hero – IV]

Zero-sum mentality is great for competition.
There is only one trophy, one medal, one podium.
There is only a finite amount of money.
There is only so much property, assets, or tools.

Zero-sum drives the frenzy, the rush, the hysteria, the trends, the competition. The thought of missing out—especially missing out on that one thing everyone will notice you for—is one of the greatest fears of the zero-sum perspective.

Zero-sum and abundance are antithetical. To the question, Is there enough?, the villain always answers “NO!”. The hero believes there is, and if by chance there is a deficiency of something, there’s a deficiency of justice, honor, and peace. If there’s a shortage of anything there is a shortage of virtue. But in terms of material possession, resources, and the basic needs for human flourishing, the hero lives by the truth that there is always more than enough to go around.

The hero is not generous as much as he is fair and just. Generosity measures what’s left after giving, while fair measures equitable access to what's available.

The measure of success for a hero is whether everyone is thriving.

Are we measuring for that? Or are we villainously measuring only what we can acquire?