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The Crabs in the Barrel Mentality: Understanding the Dynamics of Envy and Self-Esteem in the Caribbean

Paradoxically, the "crabs in the barrel" mentality is a phenomenon that can jeopardize both individual achievement and collective advancement in the Caribbean, a region renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture.
This metaphor describes a situation where individuals, instead of supporting one another, try to pull each other down, much like crabs in a barrel that prevent one from escaping.
Deeper problems like envy, low self-esteem, and a lack of personal accomplishments are frequently the causes of this behaviour.
It is time to explore the psychological dynamics that fuel this mentality and its implications for personal growth and societal advancement.

Envy is a complex emotion that can arise when individuals perceive others as having advantages or successes that they themselves lack.
This frequently shows up in the Caribbean as a response to anyone who dared to be exceptional or stand out.
Envy can become ingrained in the social fabric due to historical and socioeconomic factors, making it more than just a fleeting emotion.
Many people believe that the competition for opportunities and resources can lead to a competitive atmosphere where people feel threatened by their peers' success rather than encouraged to work together.

This emotional response can lead to defensive behaviours, where individuals resort to attacking those who seem to be thriving.
This is particularly evident in social media threads, where anonymity can embolden individuals to express their jealousy through harsh criticisms or derogatory comments.
It becomes a misguided attempt to elevate their own self-worth by diminishing the accomplishments of others.
Such behaviour not only reflects personal insecurities but also reveals a broader pattern within the community that discourages success and reinforces negative comparisons.

The crab mentality is frequently linked to low self-esteem, resulting in a vicious cycle that is challenging to escape.
For many individuals, their self-worth is contingent upon external validation, and when they perceive others as succeeding, it serves as a painful reminder of their own perceived failures.
This can lead to a hostile environment where, rather than celebrating the accomplishments of others, individuals feel compelled to tear them down.

The Caribbean's colonial past, which has left many people feeling disenfranchised, and socioeconomic inequality may exacerbate low self-esteem.
A mindset that prioritizes survival over success is fostered by the societal narrative, which frequently places more emphasis on survival than thriving.
As a result, when one individual surpasses this standard, it may cause others to feel inadequate, which may lead them to act in ways that attempt to undermine that achievement.

Achievements play a pivotal role in shaping individual identities and perceptions within a community.
When people lack personal achievements, it can foster feelings of resentment towards those who have made significant strides in their careers or personal lives.
This resentment can manifest in various ways, from passively aggressive comments to outright hostility.
Sometimes people think they are levelling the playing field by criticizing those who achieve, but in practice, they are just feeding a vicious cycle of negativity that erodes the possibility of group progress.

Moreover, the Caribbean's cultural emphasis on communal ties can sometimes lead to a reluctance to celebrate personal success.
Success can be interpreted as a danger to the collective identity rather than as an inspiration.
In smaller communities where everyone knows one another, this is particularly true and any departure from the norm may be viewed with suspicion or disapproval.
The pressure to conform can be immense, leading to a reluctance to pursue personal goals for fear of alienating oneself from the group.

To overcome the insidious effects of the crab mentality, it is essential to cultivate a culture of support and encouragement.
This starts with recognizing the importance of individual accomplishments as stepping stones towards collective success.
By reframing the narrative around success, individuals can begin to see the achievements of others as opportunities for inspiration rather than sources of envy.

Communities can benefit from fostering environments that celebrate diversity in achievements, encouraging individuals to pursue their passions without fear of judgment.
Leaders in the community, local organizations, and educational institutions are essential to this change.
By promoting mentorship programs, workshops, and community celebrations that honour individual successes, the cycle of envy can be disrupted, paving the way for a more cohesive and supportive community.

The "crabs in the barrel" mentality serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the Caribbean region.
We can start to remove the obstacles that stand in the way of progress by comprehending the psychological dynamics of envy, low self-esteem, and the significance of individual achievements.
It is time for the Caribbean to adopt an empowering culture that elevates rather than devalues people by celebrating individual accomplishments as group triumphs.
The journey towards this transformation may be challenging, but with conscious effort, it is not only possible but imperative for the future of the region.
The ability to understand and absorb the aforementioned will allow you to see yourself.

Sarge

In reply to sgtdjones

Good analysis

The above is not limited to the Caribbean. On ‘many’ occasions, in the UK, you have managers or colleagues saying don’t do it this (quality enhanced) way otherwise everyone will have to do it that way.

That’s terribly de-motivating.
When I interview folks, I am interviewing for attitude and ambition. But I also dont want American style cowboy bravado shite that seems popular on LinkedIn.

In reply to Halliwell

I am not on any sites like LinkedIn, so I can't comment.

My interviews are primarily for engineers; I found the University of Waterloo, Ontario, to have the best.
They are co-op trained, so they come with a bit of experience.
Over the last decade plus, I have not been found wanting, team players.

So before Rishi left, he promoted you, huh?
I see why ya eating Yorkshire pudding and apple crumbs ...

Finally feeling myself, jetlag...in office today two proposals for governments downunder.

America celebrating thanksgiving weekend; most natives I know are mourning...

ta ta...

In reply to sgtdjones

You should have only red team wuk on them bids

Have the minions write it and send upstairs

In reply to Halliwell

Halliwell,

I wish the solution was that simple. We built two PDU's for Australia and New Zealand, 500 barrels per day.
It should be noted that our new process is still experimental.
Do you see the contamination issues here? The feedstock is thousands of meters deep in the earth, with a saltwater ocean on top.

The initial barrels sent to us were clean feed stock. In our Canadian laboratories, we didn't encounter problems after getting readings from MS/GC and mass balances.
A number of entities found in Australia caused the catalyst bed to become poisoned. We built a scrubber to clean the feedstock.
After they found the concentration of salt, we constructed a de-salter, and the feedstock is now clean. I think? This has taken over two years to solve.

My visit was to determine why we are having heat transfer problems, hot spots in the catalyst beds, poor mass balance results, etc.
To provide us with information about hot spots, a travelling thermocouple was shipped to them.
It has not yet been possible to identify another entity in that feedstock.

Our Canadian offices have computer control of the PDU, and we will use it to collect data for the next sixty days.
They will comply with our instructions.
Our Heat transfer teams will look at the hot spots in the catalyst beds
Reaction engineering teams will look at mass balances.
Process engineers will look at the catalysts.
We can run simulations on our computers in Canada and send the applicable suggestions down under.

Now we can get proper data, which will help us.
Everything always functions in labs until one is able to construct one outside.
Researchers are finding out get a Chemical engineer involved early.

We can design a plant on a global scale after these issues are resolved.
We had similar problems with South Korea and solved the problems by designing a different type of reactor.
They didn't have contaminated feedstock.
As you can see, we have spent the last ten years or more working with Fortune 500 companies and many governments.
Even your T&T government is paying us monthly for help.

In reply to sgtdjones

Best at what?
U of T engineers are better at research than the engineers from Waterloo.

When I hire Engineers I will pick a UofT graduate over a U of Waterloo graduate anytime.

In reply to WI_cricfan

Best universities in Canada 2021 ranked by Macleans

Best Global Universities for Chemical Engineering in Canada

1.University of Waterloo.
2.University of Toronto.
3.University of Alberta.
4.University of British Columbia.
5.McGill University.
6.Concordia University - Canada.
7.Universite de Montreal.
8.University of Calgary.



It's obviously you are not aware of what I'm speaking off...

Did you notice my requirements?

You are the guy who is to old to do math and couldn't calculate my flight time.

Let's end the discussion here, please.

In reply to sgtdjones

I agree
You really speaking ‘off’

Why do you design and manufacture?
Why not fabricate in Korea? Or China, or Senegal. You will make more profit.

In reply to Halliwell


Thank you, King Charles English major. Off it is....
Gosh My AI failed me...

Halliwell

We are modular designers and manufacturers...
Think of Leggo; one can assemble it, take it apart, and configure something else.

Designed about 50 modules, we can scale them up or down, saving engineering cost and time.
Each module can be tested separately before being assembled. It helps during testing and debugging.
Find problems quickly.
We have shipped stuff via the large Russian cargo planes to various countries, even Europe.
They are skid-mounted to fit trucks and train cargo rain cars.
They can be assembled within 45 days of arriving at destination.

Cut's the time to physically build on site by months.

Our manufacturing facility in (deleted) is 65 feet high and over thousands of square feet. CSA and Hydro approval are the highest in the world.
We have built oil refineries, pharmaceutical plants, etc.
They are tested using inert gases; some of the units built for space industries are at 100,000 psig and over 3,000 deg (a carbon furnace is required)..
The majority meet ASTM specifications.
We have to sign 17-year confidentiality agreements for many of these that we build.

We have been doing this for over a decade plus. Through word-of-mouth, Fortune 500 companies and governments look for us.

South Korea came to us to build a unit... supplied units to Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Oxford University, MIT, Stanford
NASA etc....confidential

We can do it cheaper and faster in our manufacturing plants in 5 countries worldwide.

Incorporated into a NYSE-listed publicly traded company.

Check your PM


Where is Sodden? Can you believe I miss the lies , lies lies...

In reply to sgtdjones

How them tendering process works then for fortune 499 and governments

They put out the ITT then ask Allyuh to bid in separate email? Why not go single source then? This is the waste of big government

Drain that swamp

In reply to Halliwell

If you read what I sent you, you will see that we do not participate in tendering procedures.

Governments and companies approach us ...

We help them develop processes so they can get products to markets before competitors.

Its obvious you didn't read what I sent you, or its difficult to comprehend.

Sections contain the opinions of research directors from companies about us.

Read the darn thing and stop asking foolish questions...

Pondie help me out here, would you...

Did you hit him on the head with a bouncer?

Check your PM...

In reply to sgtdjones

If that man bowl me a bouncer the commentators will be referencing tings like ‘tennis ball bounce’

In reply to Halliwell

That's it; it's an insult to me, fren pondie...

Come in pondie.

Allyuh leave me out of yuh bacchanal
For the record on a wicket with turn i am unplayable

In reply to ponderiver

Since de man is a spoon-cult member, he is eating Yorkshire pudding and apple crumble...

He secretly getting into shape for cricket next year...on an exercise program...

Bowl he rass dong with a googley...

He asked me questions about me wuk....

I sent him some info to read; de man says I sent home home wuk? den he tells me he is a busy man..

When he sees what I do, he will be in shock for a few days, so he will be missing.

You see why I call him a force ripe Brit Trini, huh...

In reply to sgtdjones

Thanks for sharing. As someone who just moved back to the Caribbean this year after spending my entire adult life in the US, i have seen many instances of this playing out.

In reply to NYCGURU

You are in for a rude awakening...

When visiting for a few weeks each year, its so apparent.

In reply to sgtdjones

The bane of us as a people!

In reply to XDFIX

It is shown on this site daily...

In reply to sgtdjones

Sudden seh you always wavin yuh gundy

In reply to Halliwell

I was missing sodden , but now he is a pain...

He could be likeable...but nawwwwwwwwwwwwwww...nemesis for life...

I shall just ignore his lazy rass...like I do to VIX

I have not heard that word Gundy in years...