Line #83 Main/HardWorkFallacy


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7	->''"If you believe that dedication and passion alone will give birth to equivalent results, then you're living in a naive dream."''
8	-->-- '''Lin Xue Ya''', ''Series/ThunderboltFantasy''
9
10	This is the argument that states that the outcome is directly proportional to the effort the individual put in. Failure is, therefore, the result of simply not having put in enough effort. This argument ignores all other relevant factors.
11
12	For example, sometimes ''[[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections who]]'' [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections you know]] is more important than ''[[EncyclopaedicKnowledge what]]'' [[EncyclopaedicKnowledge you know]]. Or, your [[AllLoveIsUnrequited unrequited]] LoveInterest isn't dating ''you'' [[OccamsRazor because they're already dating and satisfied with someone else]]. Or, the so-called SelfMadeMan ''did'' indeed have help from other people, even if it wasn't direct or reserved only for him (e.g., parental or public education, housing, healthcare, etc.). In addition, it is a fallacy because it is ''unfalsifiable''; i.e., no matter how hard you worked, if you failed others could just claim however much you worked wasn't "hard enough", and never lay out an explicit definition of how much work is required to do whatever it is.
13
14	ThePerfectionist (real or fictional) may incorporate this into their mindset -- "That was good, but it wasn't ''right''. Next time I will try harder and it will finally get there."
15
16	Often involves the words, "If I can do it, so can you!"
17
18	The idea behind the CharlesAtlasSuperpower. A staple of movies from TheEighties. Contrast HardWorkHardlyWorks when the extra effort doesn't achieve much and YouWereTryingTooHard where the extra effort ''prevents'' you from succeeding. Contrast also InstantExpert, and BornLucky. Is sadly a HardTruthAesop where some times, hard work ''doesn't'' pay off.
19
20	Some tropes that rely on this:
21
22	* The DoggedNiceGuy: "If I keep telling her how awesome she is, buy her things, hold the door for her, listen to her problems, et cetera, she'll see how awesome I am and become my girlfriend!"
23	* JapaneseSpirit: Persistence and hard work is one of three major values for the concept of "Yamato-Damashii". The idea is that if you work hard enough, your [[DieOrFly true power]] will be revealed.
24	* The SelfMadeMan: Success boasted to be the result of hard work alone with zero favours, assistance ([[NoTrueScotsman bar early childhood care]]), or luck.
25	* TrainingMontage: By working hard (TrainingFromHell level hard) you [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]]. (''Gonna Fly Now'' from the ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'' franchise is optional.)
26	* UnderdogsNeverLose: Succeeds as a result of [[{{Determinator}} determination]], surmounting all the odds no matter how large.
27	* UsefulNotes/TheAmericanDream: Work really hard, [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn a decent life]], settle down with a spouse and some children.
28	* GeniusBurnout: Your innate talent can only get you so far; if you really want to achieve anything you have to work for it.
29
30	----
31	!!Examples:
32	[[foldercontrol]]
33
34	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
35	* ''Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist'':
36	** The ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003'' anime series is built on the idea of EquivalentExchange: if you put X in, then you get X out. Yes, it is a Real Life scientific law proven by UsefulNotes/IsaacNewton, but in-universe, it is also treated as a philosophy to live by. The final villain [[{{Deconstruction}} attempts to prove that real life is not so neat or predictable]] in order to [[BreakThemByTalking break the heroes near the final leg of the series]]. [[spoiler: Edward is also told point-blank by his father (who's the closest thing this series has to a BigGood) that the world in no way works according to an EquivalentExchange system. A major point in his argument is that nothing he could personally give up would be worth having two wonderful sons.]]
37	** The ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' manga (and accompanying anime) deconstructs this from the opening narration. "Back then, we really thought that was humanity's one and only truth." It's repeatedly pointed out that just because the exchange is ''equivalent'' doesn't mean it's worth it, or even anywhere close to what you were expecting. Even though some things thought impossible can be bought with enough alchemy (like immortality or godhood), the price is too high and it is quick to backfire. [[spoiler:At the end, Al decides to travel the world with the philosophy of giving ''more'' than what he receives in return, in order to enrich the world instead of just turning it into an endless series of deals]].
38	* ''Manga/WorldTrigger'':
39	** Osamu's success in Border can be attributed to his connection with powerful figures. Connections allow him to team up with stupidly strong aces, receive top-notch mentoring, get promotion off other people's merits, break rules and escape punishments. That said, it is through Osamu's own brave and caring attitude that he earns the respect and support of the said connection. Many other Border agents have talents, works hard, and trains longer than Osamu but cannot progress as fast because of the lack of luck and connection that Osamu has.
40	** Played with even further over the course of the series. Osamu, and indeed everyone at Border is well aware that his strength comes from his connections. This initially causes problems for him in the B-Rank Tournament as he tends to get targeted first fairly often, due to being seen as an easy target. Without the ability to rapidly increase his power via training in time to affect his plans to advance to A-Rank in time for the next Neighborhood expedition. He instead focuses on working on his strategy and altering his trigger loadout to better support his teammates. This of course only makes him a bigger target, as the other teams, who before only ''wanted'' to take him out first now ''have'' to.
41	** Zig-zagged with Chika. She did get to her present level of skill in Border due to hard work, which happens to be one of her primary traits. But she can do so mainly because of her naturally enormous supply of Trion, which let her practice relentlessly for hours on end. That said, her marksmanship only carries her so far, and her true strength is still her huge Trion reserves, which turn her {{BFG}} into a WaveMotionGun.
42	[[/folder]]
43
44	[[folder:Fan Works]]
45	* ''[[https://www.fimfiction.net/story/19341/alicorn Alicorn]]'' discusses this trope. Twilight is jealous and resentful of Rainbow Dash, who was born an alicorn with magical potential [[TalentVsTraining (although not ability) beyond the greatest archmage, whereas Twilight had to work for every bit of her power but still falls behind Rainbow]]. [[{{Jerkass}} Tristar]] [[JerkassHasAPoint points out that Twilight may have worked for her power, but she was still born a unicorn, in a unicorn-dominated city, got to attend the best school in the country, and was personally tutored by Princess Celestia]]. She had just as much privilege as Rainbow Dash, she's just not seeing it.
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Film]]
49	* ''Film/{{Rudy}}'': The eponymous character works really hard in spite of having no athletic talent or societal advantages and achieves his goal of playing for the Notre Dame football team. However, it's never even presented as a possibility that Rudy will ever become a ''good'' football player. His teammates have to insist on allowing him to suit up for a game simply because his hard work was an inspiration for the truly successful members of TheTeam. [[ZigZaggingTrope On the other hand, he gets the sack when he's given the opportunity to play in a real game for two whole downs.]]
50	* ''Film/MillionDollarBaby'' has a minor character who wants to become a boxer... never mind that he plain sucks at it.
51	* ''Film/SuperSizeMe2HolyChicken'': The 'tournament system' forced on chicken farmers. According to Big Chicken, it's a way for the farmers to compete fairly and rise to the top through hard work. However, it's not truly a meritocratic system since the farmer's success is subject to various random factors (right feed, faster-growing chickens, arbitrary regulations, etc.) that Big Chicken can manipulate for any or no reason. Spurlock is able to work around them so he can attain his own chicken farm but that comes at a price.
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Live-Action Television]]
55	* ''Series/ForAllMankind''. Margo Madison is such a workaholic she's introduced doing her MorningRoutine in her own office. However she has to blackmail the NASA administration to get the promotion she deserves, as she's ignored the people skills and networking required to advance.
56	* ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'': One episode has Earl getting a promotion from docker to appliance salesman based on hard work and determination, despite teasing from everyone else... and wins their respect. (The episode is a parody of the above-mentioned ''Film/{{Rudy}}'', even featuring a few of the actors from that movie.)
57	* ''Series/TheWire'':
58	** Deconstructed in the character of 'Bodie', a lowly soldier in The Game who figures that by doing everything he's told and working hard in the drug trade he can eventually advance beyond his station. By the later seasons, he's still in the same position if not worse off, and realizes that The Game is rigged.
59	--->'''Bodie:''' We like them little bitches on the chessboard.\
60	'''[=McNulty=]:''' [[ChessMotifs Pawns.]]
61	** One of the overall themes of the show is also how institutions will "juke the stats" to present a rosier picture of its accomplishments than reality would suggest. It primarily attributes this to the attitude that police or teachers simply need to work harder/smarter to catch criminals/educate students without giving them the necessary resources to do so.
62	* ''Series/BetterCallSaul'' is pretty much an extended takedown of what's wrong with this philosophy, but the theme is arguably the most explicit in Kim Wexler. She's a great, highly principled lawyer with no criminal past who's been trying advance her career through hard work for years, and has been rewarded with almost nothing for her efforts.
63	* ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'': One episode has Will take up a job solely because he wants to be self made, like Uncle Phil, to the point of turning down assistance like his cousins. Phil reminds Will that people did hold some doors open for him that when he was making his way up and he in turn is holding doors open for other people, including his nephew and his children. While Phil ''knows'' the value of a work ethic, he also knows that this alone is not enough to make it in the world.
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Video Games]]
67	* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' only the strongest and most worthy will emerge from their training group a Sith. [[TrainingFromHell The rest usually all perish]]. The problems with this mentality soon become rather self-evident. The Sith trials serve the grim purpose of weeding out those who would not last long in [[TheEmpire the Sith Empire]], but if there's more than one capable acolyte, [[ThereCanOnlyBeOne only one can emerge alive]]. So, in the long run, this means that working hard to be strong enough to be a Sith isn't enough if there happens to be a more powerful rival in your group. This is made worse by the fact that some individuals are simply ''born'' with a stronger affinity with the Force than many could ever hope to learn. The Sith Warrior's storyline has you play the role of a powerful young acolyte from an ancient [[VillainousLineage Sith bloodline]] who has been brought into the Sith trials at the last minute. The strongest member of the group, Vemrin, fought his way up from nothing against Sith snobbery. Unfortunately for Vemrin, this new arrival is one of the most powerful acolytes to ever set foot in the Sith Academy. After the inevitable confrontation, and despite giving everything, Vemrin is slain.
68	* ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'': Lambdadelta DESPISES this fallacy, to the point that her Magic of Certainty is specifically designed so that she can [[DefiedTrope Defy]] Hard Work Hardly Works and grant anyone who works hard for their dreams instant, guaranteed success.
69	* In the city of Fortuna in ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'', you are regularily bombarded with advertising reminding put-upon Solaris workers that they can get out of their soul-crushing debts if they only work harder, with Nef Anyo even chiming in to claim he was dirt-poor just like them, conveniently ignoring that not only does he do everything to keep his free source of labour from ever paying those debts off (having their debts passed off to descendants is just the tip of the iceberg), in "The Deadlock Protocol" he tries to claim direct genetic lineage to the very founder of the Corpus in order to gain complete control of its Board of Directors.
70	[[/folder]]
71
72	[[folder:Web Original]]
73	%% * Discussed in [[http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-things-rich-people-need-to-stop-saying/ 6 Things Rich People Need to Stop Saying]] from ''Website/{{Cracked}}''. %%Weblinks are not context by themselves.
74	* Tim Pool relies on this fallacy a lot, including an unintentionally hilarious instance where, after stating in a tweet all you need to succeed is hard work and perseverance, someone posited a hypothetical where two loggers were in a forest. One of them had a big logging machine, whereas the other just had an ordinary hatchet. When asked if the hatchet guy really had a fair chance against the machine guy, Tim responded with something like "Yeah, if [[PoesLaw the guy in the machine was asleep.]]"
75	* Mr. Money Mustache (who famously "retired" in his late-''twenties'' after saving hundreds of thousands of dollars from his job, and then lived off the interest) runs a blog on how to save a lot and be rich in only several years. Those who argue the absurdity of his steps[[note]]For example, MMM [[https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/07/25/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-1 suggested among other things]] being a [=YouTuber=] to make a decent living, while someone argued that few ''can'' succeed at it regardless of how hard they work.[[/note]] are mocked as "complainypants" and "not being badass enough". It doesn't help that he (and his wife, who supported him all the way) got near six-figure incomes ''right out of college'', something even the hardest-working people cannot get. In short, it required ''all'' the right things to happen to him (including not getting major illness, or a divorce, or a job market bust) to succeed.
76	[[/folder]]
77
78	[[folder:Western Animation]]
79	* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987'': Scrooge attributes his early success in life to the motto, "Work smarter, not harder." Not that he doesn't work plenty hard, but he doesn't reach his full potential until he learns to apply his effort effectively.
80	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
81	** The episode "Bart Gets an F" was a deconstruction of this fallacy. Bart has been failing his history class and is in danger of being HeldBackInSchool unless he can pass his final exam. He struggles greatly, but still buckles down and does his very best to study and prepare for the test. Then, the day he finally takes the test ...[[YankTheDogsChain he still fails.]] This was meant to teach the lesson that we can do everything right and still fail, and that hard work does not always guarantee success. It also implies Bart is BookDumb and just not good with the academic methods of testing intelligence, he got a marginal bump in his grade when Ms. Krabbapel observes he does have practical knowledge of the subject.
82	** This is the crux of Frank Grimes' conflict with Homer in "Homer's Enemy". Grimes has had to work hard his whole life for minimal reward, and is enraged at the idea of a person like Homer having a comfortable life with many luxuries in spite of his incompetence and character flaws.
83	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': In "Hurricane Fluttershy", Fluttershy had several problems with flying fast, including childhood trauma and her not being the athletic type anyways. Even with all the training she does during the episode, her wing power remains mediocre at best. Still, what mattered most in the end was not her inability to brute force outstanding results through hard work alone, but that she had the courage to face her fears and was there for Rainbow Dash in a time of need.
84	[[/folder]]
85
86	[[folder:Real Life]]
87	* One of figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's most well-known quotes discusses this trope: "Efforts may lie, but will never be in vain." He elaborates that if hard work is all it takes to win, then the person who work the hardest will always win, which is not necessarily the case. Winning is dependent on more factors than hard work. Sometimes you can lose even though you've put in all your efforts, creating the feeling that it was AllForNothing (a lie). However, working hard will always pay off in the end, even if it doesn't result in immediate victory.
88	* A very common attitude within the sales industry; all one has to do is work hard and have a positive attitude and they will become incredibly successful at selling. There are no considerations given to the fact that certain personality types and even physical appearances of the salesperson have any effect on a customer's decision to buy, or even keep listening to the pitch. This is to say nothing of the fact that it has been repeatedly proven that some people are better at building, repairing or providing information about a product than they are at selling it.
89	* WebVideo/{{Veritasium}} did a study to find out that neither Hard Work nor Luck was ''solely'' involved for success, [[https://youtu.be/3LopI4YeC4I but that you need both.]] If you work hard, but are unlucky, you probably won't succeed. If you have lots of luck, but do not put in the effort, that luck will not pay off. The video also mentions the fact that we tend to forget the lucky factors in our lives, only focusing on what we personally did, not what was done around us.
90	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / HardWorkFallacy