> Now, all you need is intelligence and mental fluidity to weather hardships. No longer is a job loss catastrophic. Just about anyone born in a Western nation can, if he decides to, gain an education and make his way up the social ladder.

This still only applies to people who have picked the right parents and the right industry.

I get that the historical trend is toward social mobility and equality, but "all you have to do is decide to succeed" is still an idealistic cliche, and probably always will be.