The “Matthew Effect” holds true and likely explains much of the tendency of an individual’s social, economic, or academic success. Nevertheless, a few people defy the odds through what I have termed the “Solomon Effect” or the “Time and Chance Effect”.
For reference, the “Matthew Effect” is based on the biblical passage, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 25:29; also in Matthew 13:12).
On the other hand, I derive the “Solomon Effect” from the Book of Ecclesiastes, which says, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Put differently, “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”
Olalekan Balogun
The Professor from BirthIn my experience, I have discovered that the most profound stories are often shaped by the Solomon Effect.
Which of these two principles resonates best with you?
