The modern ideal of an American man is that of a businessman, doing whatever it takes to get ahead in life. Columbus reflected this in his actions towards the natives. He writes: "As soon as he arrived in the Indies... he took some natives by force" (Columbus, par. 8). Columbus took what he wanted to further his own goals, not unlike Americans today. Sure there can be benefits to this type of self-determination, but when one begins to think of oneself as better than another man or a group of people, then that characteristic is no longer beneficial to society or to one's own interests..