Hmm. [there's a part of him that says it's because "survival of the fittest" is simply the way things are-- but other voices protest that, even in his own mind. But he hums at the question. How, indeed.]

He's not the only one I've met like that-- who believes that something is possible, no matter how stacked the odds. [thoughtful, with specific people in mind] Maybe they have the strength to make it true.

But that's a hell of a lot of pressure, to force yourself to live up to a standard like that.