(Sorry for the late response; had to sleep and then forgot about it.) Isn't it? I don't think so. Windows and Mac rule the desktop, proprietary Android and iO

(Sorry for the late response; had to sleep and then forgot about it.) Isn't it? I don't think so. Windows and Mac rule the desktop, proprietary Android and iOS rule the mobile space. Your average person's computer is running more proprietary software than not, and Stallman's goal was always to get the average user's computer free of proprietary software. Even Web browsers are proprietary for your average user, and it's impossible to have a spec-compliant one with only free software. As for luck, the details of one's life is luck. But success comes from those who develop a plan, learn what they need to, and execute that plan. Nothing good is going to happen to you if you spend your spare time drinking, if you fritter away your money, etc. Luck finds people who are out there ready to recognize it and take advantage. Plenty of people don't drink, waste currency, (to cite a later example of yours:) watch television, etc. I don't think this is as common as it used to be, though I'm not sure what modern equivalents are. Would you find it fair to say that 'success comes from those who develop a plan, learn what they need to, execute that plan, and have luck on their side'? Caltech provides opportunities, not guarantees. Certainly. Would you agree that most people do not get the substantial volume of opportunities the average person at Caltech during the late 1970s received? Ya know what's cool? Taking responsibility for your fate is empowering. It means you can do something about it. A piece of advice - the next time something bad happens to you, instead of blaming fate, take a good hard look at what decisions you made that got you into that pickle. Learn from it, and don't do that again. I'm doing more than fine myself. I just don't agree that 'none of it's luck' is an accurate way to look on this. I've been around a long time, long enough to see patterns in successful people. 100% of the ones I know do not share your opinion that it's luck. 100% believe they are in charge of their future. They make it happen. They have their sail up when the wind blows their way. I know one fellow who made and lost two seven figure fortunes. This doesn't dismay him in the slightest, he's cheerfully working on his third. I've seen my share of unsuccessful people. On average, they don't seem substantially different from the examples you cite as successful in terms of mindset or determination.