As I was growing up, a few hypothetical situations were laid out for me. One such hypothetical involved a cliff or mountain (a person is stuck on a cliff; what do you do?). I said I would climb down; they said I couldn't; I said okay, I will climb up; they said nope, no up, no down; I said if I am blocked both ways, the story or game is over; the reply to me was yes, but what do you do? I said I would have no choice but to let whatever is blocking me get me or to jump.
Their response was, Pick one; what do you do? I said I would jump rather than be taken.
I asked them, So the hostage always dies, and their response was not always but sometimes. (Not everyone makes it in this world, or life, was their end statement.)
This left me wondering: Was I brought on to rock for sport? Is my life, and life in general, one big hunger game? and the only way to win in this world and in life is to make sure others don't.
That the only success seen is based on the number of zeros at the end of one's bank account.
Making the world better only counts if one can make a mint while doing it.
The thought that everyone and anyone can make something of themselves with hard work—is this only a dream and a slogan to feed the masses?
Is altruism a fool's errand in this world?
Is life really only about using people as stepping stones and leaving them behind, pulling up the ladder as one moves up?
Is life really a zero-sum game?
Sorry for the long post, and if it is incoherent.