[neetle]

The fact that they came across the start up in the first place had no element of luck? The fact that they were born with the genetics to be smart enough to contribute to it was fully within their control? The fact that they weren't killed in a car accident when they were 12 was due to their agency?

Success is mostly attributable to luck, and ignoring that is just an exercise in outsized ego & shows a sense of agency that borders on the absurd.

[WalterBright]

> The fact that they came across the start up in the first place had no element of luck?

Did they "come across" it in their mom's basement?

> The fact that they were born with the genetics to be smart enough to contribute to it was fully within their control?

You don't need to be a genius to be successful. Doing drugs and alcohol is also sure to reduce your smarts.

> The fact that they weren't killed in a car accident when they were 12 was due to their agency?

You can blame your parents for your life up until 18. After that, it's up to you.

> Success is mostly attributable to luck, and ignoring that is just an exercise in outsized ego & shows a sense of agency that borders on the absurd.

Baloney. Successful people 1) make their own luck 2) make it easy for luck to find them.

[neetle]

> Did they "come across" it in their mom's basement?

No, they came across it by being in the right place at the right time, supported by habits and behaviours that were mostly determined by their environment.

> You don't need to be a genius to be successful. Doing drugs and alcohol is also sure to reduce your smarts.

Some people are just not born with the brains to "make it". I know people who will never be able to contribute to a high growth field like ours who are excellent nurses, childcare workers and teachers. This, yet again, isn't decided by agency but by circumstance.

> You can blame your parents for your life up until 18. After that, it's up to you.

I'll remember that the next time a drunk driver tbones me.

> Baloney. Successful people 1) make their own luck 2) make it easy for luck to find them.

Our attitudes, talents and disposition are a sum of the actions we have taken, and experiences that have influenced us. Those actions are informed by our previous attitudes, talents and disposition. The experiences aren't in our control completely either. It's a feedback loop that we have minimal control over.

You can't honestly tell me that you'd come to the exact same conclusion that you are now if you hadn't had gone through what made you you. Just as I couldn't claim to come to my conclusion if I didn't have my experiences.

You're obviously successful mate. Just remember that even if some people can make it to your position, that doesn't mean everyone will. Most people do the best they can given the hand they're dealt, and that's okay. Enjoy your full house.