The notion that we are born with some innate qualities that very much determine our course in life seems to go against the grain in North America. When it comes to natural sports ability or talents such as singing, or dancing, or music it is accepted that some of us have more natural ability than others. However, when it comes to characteristics such as kindness, moral character, and the ability to read manipulate those around us, the notion seems somehow repellent to us.

I think this is because the belief that we are the result of our own choices is one of the core Myths which support the entire way in which we see our world. That our core social tendencies are in some way encoded in our DNA limits the role of choice and introduces another variable. This natural tendency becomes a wildcard - impossible to gauge precisely. The implication is that we are not the complete masters of our own destiny. This means that when it comes to failures and achievements, how much they are really our responsibility or are met becomes an open question. As a free democratic society that prides itself upon being a meritocracy, where reward and punishment are meted out on the basis of fairness and accountability, not nepotism as in the old world, it is very disquieting to think that a new x factor is now thrown into the mix.

Now the question does that CEO deserve his $1,000,000 bonus, or does that criminal deserve to be incarcerated for decades becomes difficult to answer. The foundations of our neatly delineated world now are no longer rock hard granite, but begin to appear to be made of clay.

Let us narrow the focus for a moment and consider the born manipulator, the player. Imagine a child born with the talent to influence others. From an early age they discover their ability to order their world, mommy and daddy, by means of manipulation. When challenges arise, rather than confront them, they are able to slither through by manoeuvring and manipulating the perceptions and the emotions of those around them. When they get into trouble they deflect. When things go well they diminish the role of others, hogging all the Glory for themselves. The older they get the better they get at it. During this time they have a growing contempt for the suckers who they are able to sort be easily pull by the nose.

With their success the confidence grows. Confidence and charisma go hand in hand. Thus with their growth and confidence their influence grows. Life for them becomes a game, but the cards are fixed so that they are always holding the winning hand. How would such a person who's been able to succeed, even thrive, without special talent, effort or virtue, going to develop a moral compass? They will feel entitled to what ever they can get, because they see themselves as inherently superior to those around. As their success grows, there desires grow still faster and further. Once this person reaches early adulthood they are a narcissist through and through. Their ambition and entitlement are boundless. Furthermore, they are completely indifferent to how they go about fulfilling their desires.

Is such a person truly responsible for their actions? There is no real thinking or choice involved other than how they are to most easily achieve what they desire. Ironically, they then learn to exploit the notion that our lives are determined by our choices, to their advantage. They then become the greatest advocates and proponents of the notion we control our own destiny.