The writer seems to express the worry that one type of mind is more efficient when the going gets tough (i.e. initial description of the two characters). This is an entirely different question. The assumption that so-called &quot;neurotic&quot; minds, wondering or whatever, will have less adaptive reactions to the circumstances is false. It is regularly contradicted by reality (e.g. history). There is just no reliable prediction to be made about how someone is going to behave based on the criterion presented.