Life is like a pyramid. There’s plenty of room at the bottom, but things get tighter as we move up. There are fewer opportunities and more challenges, making it harder to reach the peak.
At the lower levels, things are easier—that’s why so many people are there. Anyone looking to move up in life, whether in their career, education, social circle, or personal development, will have to make sacrifices. This might involve offending some people or cutting ties along the way to the top.
What’s most striking about the pyramid analogy is how much easier it is to get pulled down than it is to pull someone up. For example, imagine you’re standing on a chair. If you had to pull someone up onto the chair with you, it would be a challenge. But if you’re on the floor, it doesn’t take much effort to pull someone off the chair and onto the floor.
Throughout history, several theories align with this metaphor and the themes of social dynamics, human behavior, and what it takes to be successful. Here are three theories that support the “Life is Like a Pyramid” analogy:
1. Social Comparison Theory (Leon Festinger)
Most of us struggle to objectively measure ourselves, which is why we look to others for comparison. While we’ve all heard we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, it’s something humans naturally do. Depending on where we are on the social pyramid, we often perceive some people to be above us and others to be below us.
- Upward comparison: Looking at those who are more successful or knowledgeable than us, which can either motivate or demotivate.
- Downward comparison: Looking at those who are less successful or less experienced, which can boost our self-esteem.
Social comparison can be beneficial, but problems arise when we compare ourselves to those many levels above or below us. Comparing ourselves to those much higher up can be motivating because it shows what’s possible, but for some, it can lead to feelings of inferiority or envy. On the other hand, while downward comparison can temporarily boost self-esteem, it can also lead to stagnation and lower productivity, which connects to the idea of pulling someone down the pyramid.
2. The Dunning-Kruger Effect (David Dunning and Justin Kruger)
The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias suggesting that people with lower competence in a particular area often overestimate their abilities. In the context of the triangle metaphor, this means those at the bottom (or less experienced) might feel more confident in “pulling down” someone else or offering advice, even if they lack the full knowledge or expertise to do so.
Conversely, as you rise higher (becoming more knowledgeable, skilled, or successful), you become more aware of the complexities of the world and the nuances of your job. This awareness makes it more difficult to pull others up because the effort required to help others at a higher level becomes more challenging.
3. The “Crabs in a Barrel” Phenomenon
The “Crabs in a Barrel” phenomenon refers to a social dynamic where individuals in a group (usually from disadvantaged backgrounds) might intentionally or unintentionally sabotage one another’s success out of fear or jealousy.
The metaphor captures the idea of pulling others down when they are close to escaping, which aligns with the triangle concept. It’s easier for someone to pull you down because of their insecurities or fear of being left behind.
Conclusion
The metaphor of life being like a triangle suggests that as we move upward, our decisions must become more strategic and calculated. We should carefully evaluate situations before engaging, be mindful of the content we consume, and be intentional about who we spend our time with.
Join the conversation: Can you relate to this metaphor? Have you ever felt like someone was trying to pull you down the pyramid? Or have you ever tried to pull someone up to the pyramid? Drop a comment below!