There seems to be this idea that successful people found success on their own. They took the risk. It may be important to give the old school their props, but what really makes up the old school. The railroads were laid by millions with investment from many. Fossil fuels were drilled by millions with technologies from many. The banking system was nurtured by millions of deposits. The technological advances were developed by millions of minds. The culture of industry was paid for in lives, risky working conditions, and daring attitudes from many, not just those who's names are on buildings. Who worked harder?
Malcolm Gladwell helps me sift through the complexity for success in many of his ethnographies about success stories and rags to riches cultures. I find this topic a hot topic in the arena of politics because we like to think there is government money and private money, but we don't like to think that public worth if fed by both. The cost of goods and services distract us from the value of needs and sustainability. How do we justify work effort? It might not be who expends more energy, ideas, solutions, hours, or cash. It might be who we prefer to value.
The urban culture has a term for this, the Old School. Nothing happens new that wasn't inspired or grounded in the Old School. So I feel entitled to the attitudes of hope and prosperity, but not the exploits from those who we consider Old School. I feel the exploits should be reinvested into the public worth not hoarded by dynasties. I feel giving props is acknowledging with patriotic benefaction for the privilege that comes from being connected and tapped into the Old Schools.