The Psychology Of Success Is Mostly Luck

In this video, I look at the evidence behind the idea that hard work inevitably pays off, and why years of trying don't always lead to the outcome we're promised.

I’m Barry Ferns, a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality.

No sponsors, ever.... this channel is funded by viewers:
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This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tell ourselves and each other about poverty, inequality, and who’s to blame.

Chapters
00:00 - 01:05 Introduction
01:05 - 03:43 The Power & Passion of Perseverance
03:43 - 05:36 My Personal Journey With Grit
05:36 - 07:43 The Problem with the Gospel of Grit
07:43 - 09:41 What's It Called When Success Doesn't Arrive
09:41 - 12:58 Grit Is Assigned By Outcome
12:58 - 16:22 Why Is This Not Normally Talked About
16:22 - 18:11 Why This Sounds Like an Excuse
18:11 - 19:54 Why I Made This Video

Written, Produced and Directed By Barry Ferns
Edited by Becky Goodman

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Research & further reading
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D. & Kelly, D. R. (2007). “Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101. https://gwern.net/doc/psychology/personality/conscientiousness/2007-duckworth.pdf

Duckworth, A. L. & Gross, J. J. (2014). “Self-Control and Grit: Related but Separable Determinants of Success.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(5), 319–325. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4737958/pdf/nihms736065.pdf

Duckworth, A. L. et al. (2019). “Cognitive and Noncognitive Predictors of Success.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(47), 23499–23504
https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.1910510116

Salganik & Watts Research
“Experimental Study of Inequality and Unpredictability in an Artificial Cultural Market.” Science, 311(5762), 854–856. https://www.princeton.edu/~mjs3/salganik_dodds_watts06_full.pdf

“Leading the Herd Astray: An Experimental Study of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies in an Artificial Cultural Market.” Social Psychology Quarterly, 71(4), 338–355. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3785310/

“Web-Based Experiments for the Study of Collective Social Dynamics in Cultural Markets.” Topics in Cognitive Science, 1(3), 439–468. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4151995/

Duncan Watts Video Breakdown of His Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZ9WDYA4Pc

If you’re new to this, check out @garyseconomics first – his channel gives the structural and financial perspective. This one adds the lived, social and emotional side.

Support Gary's Wealth Tax Campaign Here: https://buy.stripe.com/dRm4gs9Nl1L6eqWbUydjO00

Want to see the stand-up side of all this?
Find my live comedy and storytelling here:
https://www.youtube.com/@mrbarryferns

To learn more about my comedy club, Angel Comedy, and buy tickets for shows head here: https://www.angelcomedy.co.uk/

#BarrysEconomics #GarysEconomics #Inequality #BehaviouralEconomics #SocialJustice #BarryFerns #ComedyWithDepth