Reply #32: what's interesting is that this is a function of 'civilisation"

[northzax]

most tribal cultures are so interdependant that no one person can ever be successful above all the others. If you succeed, you being others up with you. this is why there were huge feasts (like potlachs) that the chief would put on for the people. In order to succeed, you had to have everyone else behind you and with you, and you paid back that success to the community. It was only wit the development of 'modern' societies that this view was discouraged (starting roughly in Rome, from our tradition) Only fairly recently have people been celebrated for success, and elevated above their peers for this success.