People from 15th to 20th century believed that luck was to be mastered and dominated
note
Proving whether success is luck or skill is impossible since each person/company starts only once, and always in unique circumstances. If it is luck, “serial entrepreneurship” is not explainable. Successful people can create new things easier, but dismissing all planned success as luck or privilege (Matthew effect) seems indignant.
From 15th to 20th century (Renaissance, Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution), luck was something to be mastered, dominated and controlled. Everyone agreed that you should focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. People believed in making their own luck by working hard rather than focusing on possible misfortunes.
People who think they can control the future make concrete and definite plans: Definite-and-optimistic-outlooks-of-life. People who think the future is indefinite, diversify to be “prepared for everything”.
References
- Zero to One, Peter Thiel
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