[profalseidol]

Tell that to the millions who choose to be born in the slums. Then there is also the fact that we are not equally the same upon birth. Everyone has different traits. I suspect that when you really weigh in the factors, a lot of the result we get is caused by a lot simply being at the right time in the right place.

[frogpelt]

One simple change to the statement accounts for your observation:

    "Where you are in life is a result of choices you AND YOUR PARENTS have made in the past."

If by some remote chance there's a young person reading these comments and you are living in the slums, you have to start making better choices than your parents did (and their parents did) TODAY if you want your kids to have it better than you do.

Start with Walter Williams (Economics Professor at George Mason) advice on how to not be poor:

    1. Graduate from High School.
    2. Don't have children until you're married and stay married once you get married.
    3. Take any kind of job (except illegal ones).
    4. Stay out of jail.

Start there and move up as opportunities arise and it is almost guaranteed that your kids will do better than you (if you are currently in the slums.)

[switchstance]

Please see "not 100% accurate." I get that uncontrolled circumstances are inevitable, but hearing others bitch and complain about how good others have it while riding their pity pony drives me mad.

The original author (clearly not living in slums) didn't have to get married, have two kids, and take out a mortgage on a home. Also, being a mediocre developer is in his control too.

Get your big boy panties on, change your mindset, and make change in your life, not excuses.

[switchstance]

Sorry for being a hardass, but the original author sounds like me 11 years ago. I thought life happened to me, and I had no control over it. I've since changed my way of thinking, and just this week my bootstrapped company reached 10 million in ARR.