The article explores the societal tendency to place blame on individuals for various issues, including poverty and health, rather than recognizing systemic factors. It discusses insights from the essay collection ‘Selbst schuld!’, edited by Wolfgang M. Schmitt and Ann-Kristin Tlusty, featuring contributions from notable figures like Anke Stelling and Sarah-Lee Heinrich. The authors argue that the prevailing ideology of personal responsibility often distracts from the broader societal structures that contribute to issues like wealth disparity and mental health. The discussion also touches on how social media and meritocracy shape perceptions of success and failure.