Because I've been around a long time, and know lots of people over many years. The ones who believe they can make their lives better and take action to do so, tend to get results and are happier. Those who believe they are victims of chance with no choice, tend to take no action, achieve little, and wind up bitter and defeated.
Note I said nothing about their circumstances.
I choose the happy path. If you choose the victim of fate path, I am sorry for you. Feynman is a terrible argument for your position - I've read his biographies, and he always chose the happy path.
Actually, Feynman has gone on at length about prejudice against certain ideas, and that the people who hold these prejudices are unlikely to change their minds. I also suspect you didn't actually watch the video, so I'm not sure what else there is to say if you're unwilling to listen to counterarguments.
I'm glad you've personally achieved success. It's mildly annoying that you attribute your success to your own inborn merits rather than the mixture of hard work and luck that success seems to be derived from, but you're in good company.
You can indeed close your eyes and choose the happy path. I hope you'll never be cut down by forces you cannot control.
What do you want, and what have you done today to move towards that? Are you waiting for luck to pay you a visit first?
I presume you have sound mind and body, and live in the US. That's all the luck you need. Anything else is up to you. YOUR choice. Even your health is about 60-80% under your control, if epidemiological studies are to be believed.
Have you heard of the Uber driver who's now $90k in debt because Uber lowered their rates after he leased a car via Uber? Would it be reasonable to attribute his misfortune to a lack of inborn intelligence or motivation? https://www.recode.net/2017/2/28/14766964/video-uber-travis-...
Even your health is about 60-80% under your control, if epidemiological studies are to be believed.
Lots of successful people have a track record of numerous failures. A friend of mine has made millions and gone bust 3 times now (or is it 4?). He's well along on his next startup. He doesn't even have a degree. How is America not the land of opportunity?
If you're not failing now and then, you're not trying. The Uber driver has my respect for getting in the game and trying.
> source
Not offhand. But you can start with every health report that comes out that outlines how this disease or that can have its lethal probability reduced by changing lifestyle. Such as quitting smoking, eating healthy, exercising, flossing, getting vaccinations, washing hands, using condoms, quitting meth, etc. The list goes on.
I leave you with Feynman noting that you cannot prove a vague theory wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIN_-Flswy0&feature=youtu.be...
Your model seems to fit that description.