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The Sad Success

[The Atlantic] BG Note: This story about a very famous person appeared at the beginning of an article about the link between professional achievement and life satisfaction.

“It’s not true that no one needs you anymore.”

These words came from an elderly woman sitting behind me on a late-night flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The plane was dark and quiet. A man I assumed to be her husband murmured almost inaudibly in response, something to the effect of “I wish I was dead.”

Again, the woman: “Oh, stop saying that.”

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but couldn’t help it. I listened with morbid fascination, forming an image of the man in my head as they talked. I imagined someone who had worked hard all his life in relative obscurity, someone with unfulfilled dreams—perhaps of the degree he never attained, the career he never pursued, the company he never started.

At the end of the flight, as the lights switched on, I finally got a look at the desolate man. I was shocked. I recognized him—he was, and still is, world-famous. Then in his mid‑80s, he was beloved as a hero for his courage, patriotism, and accomplishments many decades ago.

As he walked up the aisle of the plane behind me, other passengers greeted him with veneration. Standing at the door of the cockpit, the pilot stopped him and said, “Sir, I have admired you since I was a little boy.” The older man—apparently wishing for death just a few minutes earlier—beamed with pride at the recognition of his past glories.

For selfish reasons, I couldn’t get the cognitive dissonance of that scene out of my mind.

This is all that the author, Arthur C. Brooks, wrote about our celebrity, but you can read the entire article here.

Similar: Race To The Bottom

Man:

[Optional] On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your life? What is the one thing that would make it better?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. vorpalswrd says

    I’m not sure who, I think one of the astronauts might be right as the current generations don’t think a lot about them anymore.

    My own life? A 5 perhaps. A messy epidural leading to a 7 yr migraine and back pain, a collagen disorder w/ dislocated joints, 4 years of diarrhea that has left me in diapers…I’m 36 years old and left my career after 5 yrs (went to school for 10) . I miss it so much. I love my daughter/family, but damn SSD $ is tight and they don’t cover all my meds. IG…

  3. 3rdWatch says

    Sounds like a successful person that’s being haunted by a big failure or regret. A lot of you think it’s Buzz Aldrin, but my guess is Frank Borman. MIT grad, Air Force vet, and former astronaut who commanded Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. Got a lot of medals for his service for the Air Force and NASA, but his mismanagement of Eastern Airlines while CEO led to the airline’s demise. Maybe that failure is haunting him.

  5. Baileygirl says

    John McCain

    9/10. Extra money but there is an old saying that goes “When money can fix your problems then you have no problems.” So, maybe I am a 10/10!

  7. luddite2 says

    Wild guess, Henry Kissinger. He fits age and background.

    I guess i’m at an 8, happy so far but still human.

  12. ItsBouquet says

    This sounds like a president or vice president. It is a highly stressful job and people are going to hate you no matter what you do, or say.

    How satisfied am I with my life? It’s difficult to answer on a scale. One side of me is a 1, another is a 10. My children, my good health, and living in a peaceful neighborhood make it a 10. A marriage in trouble, financial stress, work stress, and being a cog in the system make it a one. What would I change- I would win the lottery!

  15. ILUVCA4evr says

    Man: John Glenn? Total guess here

    [Optional] On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your life? What is the one thing that would make it better? Pretty satisfied. About a 7. Of course I still have dreams…I just wish I had the time to work on them..but doesn’t everyone? Writing is my passion, one I can rarely indulge…to my great sorrow….

  16. amagod121 says

    Him: The late John McCain who was probably still alive when this article was written?

  17. Rhett72 says

    Buzz Aldrin. He’s often tweeting photos with airplane pilots. He’s a complex man with a big ego, but he’ll always be a hero, along with Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. Thanks for your service Buzz, please know that your place in history is secure.

  18. kittypryde777 says

    Buzz Aldrin?

    I would say 7. While materially I’m pretty content, I am also currently trying to switch careers and the one thing I desire most right now is to get into grad school for the career I would like to switch to (rejections & waitlists so far, no acceptances yet).

  19. BDBoop says

    Sounds like John McCain to me.

    I feel blessed, although many I’m sure would not be happy with my life. If I started writing again, I think I’d feel more like I am on the right track. Or any track, really.

  20. gossipzillaisback says

    Buzz Aldrin?

    The courage and patriotism comment makes you think of a war hero, but those would hardly be “world-famous”. An astronaut fits best the bill. Armstrong passed in his early 80s, and recently Aldrin mentioned his struggle with depression.

  23. PghDude says

    I’m getting a Henry Kissinger vibe here.

    1-10…10! I have a good family, a job I like and I get to help a lot of people. What could make it better? I wish I had saved more earlier in my life.

  25. Jelly Drop says

    Sean Connery

    I am a solid 9.5 happy with my life. Would reach an eleven if that 10% of the population who are hell bent on ruining the lives of others disappeared. That has always been at the top of my “if i had 3 wishes” list.

  26. spookie says

    For some reason I’m thinking Reagan? Alzheimers can cause terrible depression.

  29. zappy2050 says

    In life, you have to make your own happinees and decide what makes you happy. My kids make me happy and doing things for them makes me happy but I also recognize that they might not turn they way I want – but I STILL need to find happinees within that.

  30. rorythedragon says

    No idea who this man is-Buzz Aldrin?

    More days than not it’s in the 7-9 range and I hope it never gets to 10. I always want to be striving toward something.

  34. Midwestgurl says

    Since they were flying to DC, I’m going to guess a politician.

    Henry Kissinger.

    I’m about a 6. I’m employed again after 5 years of nothing but temp jobs, but this job doesn’t hold my attention.

  35. thisgirl1 says

    Clint Eastwood
    I guess I’m about a 5/10. Being in better health and financial security would make it better.

  36. deering says

    Hmm. Sounds like a former astronaut or military leader. And since Brooks is a conservative, it’s a good bet he’s not liberal-minded. :). Colin Powell?

  37. cj2608 says

    One of the astronauts from the Apollos-
    Armstrong, Glenn, Aldrin, Lovell, or Shepard?

  41. parkland45 says

    IDK who this man is. But this shows the vulnerability of a lot of successful humans.

    Re: my life? It’s good & I need to remember to count my blessings. It could so easily have been worse. The one thing that would make it better would be great health (as opposed to decent health).

  42. super sleuth says

    Buzz Aldrin makes the most sense, as Neil Armstrong died at age 82 and Mr. Aldrin is still alive & age 89. Being one of the first to walk on the moon = “courage, patriotism, and accomplishments many decades ago”? Check. Pilot looking up to world famous astronaut since childhood? Check.

  43. Jeanesgenes says

    Buzz Aldrin?
    My life is about a 7.5, there are some things I should have done but it’s in the past. If reincarnation is actual, maybe I’ll get a 2nd chance.

  46. I Am PunkA says

    Getting an astronaut vibe here. So John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin or maybe Chuck Yeager. But I’ll go with Yeager.

  49. ezilgaloth says

    Man: Buzz Aldrin

    [Optional] On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your life? What is the one thing that would make it better?

    8 – I wouldn’t worry about all the things I worried about in the first half of life. Practically none of the bad things happened.

  50. 4sixx2 says

    Buzz Aldrin. He’s 89. An astronaut fits the clues and the pilot admired him. My life satisfaction is 9. I’m 52 & a year away from a retirement & financially secure. I’ve some health issues but a positive attitude. I’ve great family and friends. The only improvement would be a partner to share life. But I have trust issues and have accepted it will never happen. If you’re not above 7- make changes!

    • reen57 says

      Like your guess.
      Good for you! Happy people make the Universe a better place. Continue to do your part.
      Best advice I ever got: Don’t draw Social Security until you’re full retirement age, and if you can hold out until 70, do it. It comes as a nice little surprise with none of the restrictions of an earlier draw. Getting SS at age 62 has too many negatives people don’t pay attention to, not just for you but your survivors . But you probably already know that.

  51. SureFineWhatever says

    At first I was thinking politician, but the related blind makes me think astronaut. I’m going to go with John Glenn.

  54. Bunniest says

    John McCain

    I’m at 9. I wish I had more money but I gave up the rat race for a husband and children.

    • delray74 says

      You for real? The man was an idiotic prima donna . Graduated second from bottom at Annapolis. He never had the self awareness for deep pondering.