When a person with a "single-minded personality" is controlled by "ambition" [Kang Joon-man Column]

If you aspire to succeed, celebrate your ambition. It can convey a positive, forward-thinking impression to others. However, the critique of ambition is unpopularity. It might be seen as sheer desperation, rising from the bottom of society to the pinnacle. The story of an "oddball from the depths" captivates people across time. Occasionally, we dream and live on ambition, knowing that we are bracing ourselves for the challenge.

This "market logic" inflates the value of ambition beyond all reason, while underestimating the risks and harms. Ambitious individuals have no room for resignation. The influence of those who rose to the top is overwhelming. Political speeches of successful people often echo: "Never, never, never, never give up." "Failure is not ending; giving up is ending."

Books warning against resignation are numerous. "Never give up - one chance in a lifetime." "Dreams! Without perseverance, nothing is impossible." "Resilience over resignation." "Never give up - life becomes beautiful." "Never give up - even a 1% possibility exists." "Dreamers never give up even in despair." "Keep going, wandering is okay as long as you don't give up."

"Never give up - you will become the best." "Resignation makes one a cripple, while challenge makes one the master." Beware of misinterpretations. These books convey positive messages: never giving up is not inherently bad. Sometimes resignation is necessary or beneficial, and acknowledging a "breathing room" for resignation is essential.

This especially applies to politics. In the Korean political arena, lacking ambition often leads to failure, but ambition has led many astray. We often ask, "Why did that person behave like that?" when observing politicians who stray from their stated positions or lose consistency. Such a shift may be acceptable if it can be justified with a clear rationale.

However, when the reasoning becomes unclear, we naturally think of "ambition" and "self-interest." If someone has "outer shell ambition," we question whether their nature aligns with those terms. "Outer shell ambition" is neither inherently good nor bad. Scholars and artisans may find it a blessing, but politicians do not. The strengths and weaknesses of outer shell ambition are like the two sides of a coin: it can demonstrate dangerous focus but lacks the broader perspective needed to understand what is happening in the world.

Sensitivity to public opinion is crucial for politicians, which can be a fatal flaw. Yet, outer shell ambition, always confident and self-centered, finds no issue with self-interest. In fact, self-interest cannot exist without self-interest. Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky recognized this concept as "objective facts, laws, and norms" protecting against the fear of action.

To an outer shell ambitious person, "self-interest" is like water filling any container of their choosing. However, a decisive trap awaits for those whose ambition is enslaved by ambition: ambition itself. An oddball with ambition will eagerly serve the interests of any group or person they perceive as necessary to realize their ambition.

They will even defend far-right extremists if it means their own agenda appears more appealing. Many may scoff at this behavior, but the fervor of their conviction cannot be easily dissuaded. If this person becomes a leader, they will turn organizations into chaotic messes while poisoning politics, yet people rarely protest. They prefer the "lawless frenzy" to the potential consequences. Frenzy can kill us twice.