Why the self-made man is a myth

The story of "rags to riches" permeates pop-culture, from films like Citizen Kane to the profiles of hardworking entrepreneurs. But what if these success stories are nothing more than fairytales? 

Slate's John Swansburg joins Jian to discuss the myth of the self-made man, which he writes about in his recent article, "The Self-Made Man: The story of America's most pliable, pernicious, irrepressible myth." He explains why real-life examples are rarer than we think and how our unwavering belief that anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps could be harmful.

"I think at the moment in America there is a real disconnect," he says. 

"I think we still believe that any American can be born into the most modest of means or difficult circumstances and make something of themselves ... and yet if you look at the numbers, it seems like it's increasingly unlikely that if you're born to difficult circumstances that you can achieve greatness." 

Swansburg says this myth that hard work and determination can be both helpful and harmful. "It can inspire you on the one hand," he says, "but at the same time, if you're up against too much and you don't make it, it can make it seem like the fault is in you, and I just don't buy that."