Getting something for free creates default pathways that gradually ruin a person.

The structure of neuronal connections in the human brain is exactly the same as the principle behind routers. When a router finds a path to get through, it takes that same path next time — that path is called a default route. The more you use it, the stronger the default route becomes, forming path dependency.

My son plays video games, and whenever he gets stuck on a level, he instinctively hands the iPad to his dad. The dad, in turn, instinctively helps him beat that level so he can move on to the next one. That’s just how games sometimes are: getting stuck on one level doesn’t mean you can’t beat the next one. If someone helps you clear the current level, you can experience the next one sooner.

But raising a kid like this is wrong. Why?

Because it creates a path dependency. What does he think the solution is when he gets stuck? A path called “Dad.”

This is exactly how Americans ruin poor people.

I’ll never teach you how to make money. Instead, I’ll just give you a burger, a Coke, a game, and some spare change — then you go do drugs.

Their goal has never been to help someone stand up. It’s to keep them down forever, so they don’t threaten their monopoly interests.

A mature ordinary person thinks for themselves when problems arise and pays the price to solve them. Otherwise, they’re just a spoiled rich kid.