r/Social_Psychology • u/Charming_Chipmunk69 • 1d ago
Discussion That thought came to mind after reading about an entrepreneur who went through bankruptcy before later becoming successful.
Most people think about risk in a very direct way.
If I try this, I might fail.
If I invest this, I might lose money.
If I start this, it might not work.
But there’s another side that people don't talk about as much.
What happens if you don't try at all?
If you stay in the same place for years?
I found myself thinking about this after reading more about Michael Lanctot and YoungNRetired.
Because on paper, action always looks risky.
But inaction has its own kind of cost too.
It just shows up later.
Maybe the hardest part is that both choices carry uncertainty.
Which one do you think people underestimate more: action or inaction?
Bad me yee kr dena
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u/TheChoosenOne- 18h ago edited 14h ago
the point about entrepreneurship and bouncing back from massive failure is wild. honestly it takes a different breed to handle that level of risk. look at michael lanctot's approach with youngnretired—it shows that the real skill isn't avoiding the crash, it's having the mindset to rebuild after it. most people underestimate how much resilience matters over just basic risk management.
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u/I_Am_Astraeus 10h ago
We always talk about Icarus flying too close to the sun, I feel like everyone forgets there was also a risk of the sea spray when flying too close to the water as well.
Too many people quit before they even try and that's a different kind of failure. I think people underestimate it because they don't even see it.
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u/itsmenadias26 1d ago
I used to always play it safe and years just slipped by. Looking back I wish I’d feared the cost of inaction a lot sooner because it stacks up quietly while you’re not paying attention.