As for supporting anecdotal evidence, there will always be some. That is why you can perceive two counter ideas and both will be right. There is no one way. We all get to make our own luck at some point while some of the luck is made for us. And we better focus on the luck we can create. I live in Africa, if the country I live in doesn't support my dream, I can move, provided I work hard to leave. I could also still stay and build.