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Why Being Delusional is a Superpower

Veritasium · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Psychology & human behaviorProbability & game theoryScientific method & science communication

What it is

Veritasium examines the role of luck in success, with simulations and examples showing how small advantages and chance can compound. It argues that top outcomes are disproportionately luck-driven while still crediting effort.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Linked in threads about meritocracy, careers and startups as a reminder that luck shapes who ends up on top.

  • 9 people recommended it
  • 9 different months
  • 3 strong recommendations
  • first 2020, last 2024

What HN commenters said

  1. “I would really recommend watching "Is Success Luck or Hard Work?" By Veritasium”

    Veritasium asks whether success is luck or hard work.

    O_H_E, 2021-03 · Strong recommendation · in “High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders”

  2. “But this is the one I think people on HN need to watch most”

    The Veritasium video HN readers most need to watch.

    cgrealy, 2021-08 · Strong recommendation · in “The 3x+1 Problem [video]”

  3. “I love Veritasium.”

    Listed among favorite Veritasium videos, educational with spiritual subtext.

    travisgriggs, 2021-11 · Strong recommendation · in “How imaginary numbers were invented [video]”

  4. “this is an interesting view”

    Interesting view on luck, success and perception.

    hyuuu, 2020-08 · Recommendation · in “I thought I would have accomplished a lot more today and also before I was 35”

  5. “There is also a very good Veritasium Video about that”

    Veritasium on success, luck and skill.

    xorfish, 2020-09 · Recommendation · in “Six Figures in 6 days”

  6. “Vertasium did a fairly convincing bit on the zip code thing”

    Fairly convincing segment on zip code and opportunity.

    rgifford, 2021-06 · Recommendation · in “How to Work Hard”

  7. “personally I subscribe to this view on the interaction of luck and success”

    Commenter's preferred view on interaction of luck and success.

    ookdatnog, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “Class Bullshitters”

  8. “You are so correct (at proper timestamp)”

    Supports that careers pivot on lucky moments.

    belter, 2022-06 · Recommendation · in “I cheated on my Microsoft interview (2019)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: luck, meritocracy, veritasium, success, simulation

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