Heroes

We remember the martyrs who died for a cause that we knew about, never those no less effective in their contribution but whose cause we were never aware of–precisely because they were successful. Nassim Taleb – “The Black Swan”

Today I took a high-speed train going from Bologna to Rome: it topped an average speed of 300km/h. I spent that time thinking about the coordination necessary among the workers to build and maintain this tremendous high-speed train. Not so much to praise the benefits of free markets, but how each worker got up every day to do their job reliably. Thanks to them, I reached Rome safe and sound in just two hours.

Nonetheless, none of these workers will be remembered as heroes or live the life of one. Maybe it is even better for them and everyone else because a hero can emerge only in dangerous and catastrophic circumstances.

We should work for a world that doesn’t need heroes.