What does capitalism have in common with David and Goliath?

Its arrogance is leading to its demise

Everyone’s heard the story of David and Goliath. This simple yet powerful metaphor teaches us not to underestimate the underdog. Goliath was a giant, a warrior whose name sent shudders amongst the bravest of soldiers. Yet David killed Goliath with a stone shot from a slingshot, without breaking a sweat.

In his book, David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell has an interesting interpretation of the story. Rather than an invincible soldier, Goliath had a fundamental flaw, he was blind.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Goliath was a soldier in the Philistine army. Chosen by the Philistines to do battle against a Jewish soldier. The proposal put forward by the Philistines was if a Jew could kill Goliath the Philistines would become the Jews slaves. If Goliath killed the soldier, the Philistines would enslave the Jews. Pretty high stakes.

With the stakes as high as they were would the Philistines put their destiny in the hands of a blind man? And would Goliath, knowing he can’t see the world around him, have such confidence in his abilities? After all, that’s one fundamental weakness.

Goliath’s weakness wasn’t physical blindness, Goliath is blind to the idea he could have a weakness…