If the market would crash 30-50% tomorrow, which stocks would you buy? Probably Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and the likes.
Everyone has losses, and you can't always be right. But within your area of expertise or interests, you should probably be able to pick a few good stocks of good companies because you actually care and understand how they operate. But to do it structurally and consistently is harder.
I'm sure someone will reply bullshit, but that's at least what I believe. The market isn't efficient.
Eg - Everyone using google, everyone eating at Chipotle, everyone being addicted to cell phones, etc.
Regarding non-consumer facing companies, I don't see what the problem is. If you have no information about the company, then it's gambling to buy it. So you miss out on some companies, no big deal. Most people only have enough money to make a few bets, so you should bet on what you know about. It's not like a test where you lose points if you don't answer a question; you don't lose money if you don't buy a stock you don't know about.
Stock picking is the same as gambling, you look for value and try overtime to beat the market. Also like gambling is how people remember and talk about their wins but forget/ignore their losses.