Is success in life more a matter of luck than anything else?

[TimberWolf]

Can we all be lucky? Or does society need (and indeed feed-off) off 'unlucky' people?

On a more positive note, for those counting their blessings, or good judgement for their lot in life so far, bear in mind there's plenty of time left for bad luck yet to occur. Unless you are unlucky, in which case that time may be shorter.

[gingerjedi]

Define lucky... I don't consider myself a massive success but I do consider myself in at least the top 10% of the luckiest people in the world today as should everyone on here.

[Jog On]

Define lucky...

I think this really is the crux of the matter. When people talk about things like 'being in the right place at the right time' is that a matter of luck or a result of concious choice?

[sasguru]

Perhaps as Baggy said, I should have used the word "randomness" rather than "luck". I believe randomness is more pervasive than we think and as a lot of posters have demonstrated on this thread they ascribe personal qualities to what is in the end often an accident of birth.

[BrilloPad]

I think this really is the crux of the matter. When people talk about things like 'being in the right place at the right time' is that a matter of luck or a result of concious choice?

I believe someone tried to measure this. Got people to read a magazine counting the adverts for £1. One advert said "mention this ad to researcher to get an extra £10". Apparently only 50% did : some people are just not observant.

[Purple Dalek]

I believe someone tried to measure this. Got people to read a magazine counting the adverts for £1. One advert said "mention this ad to researcher to get an extra £10". Apparently only 50% did : some people are just not observant.

I remember that, I thought it was much less, around 5%.

[Moscow Mule]

Perhaps as Baggy said, I should have used the word "randomness" rather than "luck". I believe randomness is more pervasive than we think and as a lot of posters have demonstrated on this thread they ascribe personal qualities to what is in the end often an accident of birth.

But, do you consider somebody who takes account of randomness (to their advantage) to be lucky, well informed, or just clever?

[sasguru]

But, do you consider somebody who takes account of randomness (to their advantage) to be lucky, well informed, or just clever?

Well I came to understand its importance late in life through a set of fortuitous circumstances so I was lucky.

[Doggy Styles]

Is it luck to have a big willy that women like, or is it hard work?

[DieScum]

I think it's a lot of luck and some rough pointing yourself in the right direction.

I remember sitting in the pub with a mate as a student discussing our courses (his engineering, mine a conversion masters to IT) and future careers. I remember saying that I didn't understand why everyone didn't pick a well paid career. If you have to work may as well be well paid - so finance, IT, engineering, etc.

That's how it worked out. Took a few years to get there but because you set in that right direction you get there eventually.