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Many people will try to take credit for anything that leads to pleasure or happiness while avoiding responsibility for anything that brings pain or sadness. This trend just seems to keep on going as influences in many aspects of life discourage the individual to stand up and be accountable for their actions.

Here's an example from popular television while illustrates how some people avoid personal responsibility while others are compelled to do the right thing.

In an early episode of "Smallville", young Lex Luthor had a shady past associated with a place called "Club Zero". This nightclub got its name from the phrase "zero consequences" - a state where anything can be done without personal accountability or consequence. Although we didn't get many details about this place in the series, this concept paints a picture of one end of the continuum of responsibility. You can accept total responsibility for your actions, not to mention other people's actions (reflective of a neurotic point of view) or take no responsibility at all for what you do (reflective of a sociopathic point of view), or find a spot somewhere in the nebulous middle. Note as well that as "Smallville" continues, we see that Luthor is increasingly capable of doing questionable, if not evil things while avoiding personal responsibility and atonement for his actions. As comic book readers know, Luthor is destined to become a master villain driven by hate and jealousy.

Contrast Luthor's irresponsible past with Clark Kent in the same series. Clark (who is discovering the full suite of powers and abilities that will allow him to become Superman) keenly feels a sense of responsibility for his actions, largely influenced by the teachings of his adoptive parents. He has a strongly developed sense of right and wrong and he feels the need to take responsibility for his own actions while doing what he can to help other people. He will risk his safety, even his life, to use his abilities doing good deeds.

So are most of us in the Clark Kent mold or in the Lex Luthor mold? If you were to judge humanity based on the information we see in the mass media, particularly concerning celebrities, politicians, business people, and so on, you could argue that the Luthors of the world are growing in numbers and strength, while the Kents are declining. Look at the business scandals revolving WorldCom, Enron, and dozens of technology companies where personal greed seems to override a sense of responsiblity.

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