There is only one of the things that you mention that you cannot control! Heredity. The other two, can be controlled to some extent. By taking yourself out of or into an environment, you can be sure of changing your circumstance. Or vice-versa. Yes, we still need an identity and we are also largely responsible for that too! I like thinking about what time of day and the date on which I would arrive, so your question is worthwhile, but the rest... ~ Geezer.
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I'm not sure that I understand what you are saying about Vietnam, but if you are saying that many didn't have the choice, then I understand that, but there were things that you could do. You could have become a conscientious objector and refused to go, you could have filed for a deferment because you went to college... etc. Yes, you can drink instant tea or coffee rather than get up and brew it! Yes, you can lay about and decide that it is not worth the time or effort to do or not do things to change your circumstance, but that in itself is a decision, that changes your circumstance. If you subscribe to the notion that "Fate" is the master and just go along with the program, you will just be a victim of life. We all make decisions every day that change our lives. No one is immune! As for intelligence... There is smart and then there is smart-ass! I don't equate the second one with intelligence. ~ Geezer.
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little tete-a-tetes! I am only 9 years behind you in age. I am not the smartest person I know and certainly am a smart-ass. I just hate it when people who should know better, claim to be a victim of life and boo-hoo it about how if they had been born rich or just gotten a break... blah bah blah. Chances are if they had been born rich, they would be a rich smart-ass. I do not have a lot of money or status in life, but I say that it's all on me! If I had been ambitious enough to get that degree or pursue a different sort of life, I would have attained riches and or fame and fortune. Now, where are you going in November? Someplace warm and toasty? ~ Gee.
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