Chapter 1
The main idea of “The Matthew Effect” is that people frequently attribute success to individual characteristics that they consider to be rare, such as genius or talent. However, oftentimes the real explanation for that success has to do with advantages that are not accessible to the public. The analogy that he provides has to do with the factors that create the tallest tree in a particular forest. It is true that the tree came from a quality seed, but that seed (and sapling) did not have any other trees blocking its sunlight, and the seed was planted in fertile ...
