[Lurking Libertarian]

If you think you know where the story goes from here, that’s because narratives of empowerment have become practically the norm in American culture. We believe that children need encouragement in order to become their best selves, and our movies and stories often reflect that. But have we taken it too far? In an eloquent article in the Atlantic last year, Luke Epplin criticized children’s films for what he termed the “magic-feather syndrome” — so named for the feather that Dumbo once thought could make him fly. (Of course, the feather wasn’t magic at all; the real feather was Inside Him All Along™, or rather inside his giant, flapping ears.) Epplin writes: It's probably no coincidence that the supremacy of the magic-feather syndrome in children's movies overlaps with the so-called ‘cult of self-esteem.’ The restless protagonists of these films never have to wake up to the reality that crop-dusters simply can't fly faster than sleek racing aircraft. Instead, it's the naysaying authority figures who need to be enlightened about the importance of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how irrational, improbable, or disruptive to the larger community.

The small, seemingly insignificant person who goes on to perform heroic deeds is not something new dreamed up by the self-esteem movement; it's as old as children's literature ("The Little Tailor"), if not as old as literature itself (David and Goliath).

[Dr. Sivana]

it's as old as children's literature ("The Little Tailor"), if not as old as literature itself (David and Goliath).

Yes, but The Brave Little Tailor was clever and had pluck. In a sense, he really had the right traits. David brought a rock to a fist fight, and apparently had good aim/Divine Intervention/both.

That said, I don't have a problem with someone who does better than expected because he has a healthy dose of self-confidence. There are some over achievers in pro sports who show it does happen. (Mickey Hatcher of the Dodgers comes to mind.)