The myth of the self-made man, by Osmund Agbo There is something inherently captivating about the underdog narrative; the solitary visionary who, by sheer tenacity and indomitable will, defies the odds to achieve greatness. Modern society romanticizes these tales, and our collective imagination is saturated with them. From Silicon Valley tycoons to fashion icons and political leaders, we have constructed a cultural mythology around the so-called “self-made” individual. Yet, upon closer examination, the veneer of total self-sufficiency fades. Behind every success lies a constellation of enablers—mentors, patrons, advisors, even kind strangers,...