My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
The difference between guards and inmates is that inmates have been caught - guards are just as bad
The Reasoning
People in positions of authority often engage in similar behaviors as those they oversee, but have better circumstances or luck in avoiding consequences
What Needs to Be True
- Authority figures face similar temptations as those they police
- Socioeconomic factors influence who gets caught/prosecuted
- Power creates opportunities for corruption
Counterargument
Law enforcement and corrections professionals are held to higher standards and generally more ethical than criminal populations
What Would Change This View
Comprehensive data showing significantly different behavioral patterns between authority figures and general population when controlling for opportunity
Implications for Builders
Don't assume moral superiority based on position
Build systems that account for human nature rather than expecting people to be different
Recognize that circumstances often determine outcomes more than character
Example Application
“When designing company policies, assume that managers will face similar ethical temptations as employees and build appropriate checks and balances.”