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I think the question is not whether Bezos, or Gates, were helped by a reasonably wealthy family. The question is- was that wealth helpful because it allowed the

I think the question is not whether Bezos, or Gates, were helped by a reasonably wealthy family. The question is- was that wealth helpful because it allowed them to fully develop their own potential; or they have no merit at all and anybody with that wealth would have done the same? I think those who point out the privileged start of these entrepreneurs are suggesting the second, and yet that makes no sense (millions had the same privilege and didn't get anywhere close).

LightBug1 2y ago
Disagree. I'm not suggesting the person in question does not have potential or merit and that anyone can do it. It's just that the wealth of a family can pour rocket fuel on that person to enable them to reach their potential. Yes, that's debatable in each case, everyone has a different story. But it's very likely. You do get the counterfactual, the plucky upstart who came from nothing. But I'd wager big that that's much rarer and more difficult.