I'd much rather be recognized as a great person than a great writer. It is, in fact, this need to be validated which, if left unchecked, can lead us to treat others as if they had no such need at all. I know I have made some mistakes in my life, and I would venture to guess that you have too. We're all taught to look out for No. 1. It would be easy to ignore the problem.
Selfish people are reprehensibly successful.
It would require us to act maturely, something our '90s fad psychology flies in the face of. It isn't enough to preach the Golden Rule. Were that sufficient we would have solved this problem long ago. Perhaps what is best is to experience placing someone else ahead of yourself. This is what being a good parent is about.