Nice powertrip. My turn.
I am a CFA w/ a Series 6/7/63 that has degree in Finance/Accounting/Stats and has written automated trading bots.
This was NOT enough experience for Fidelity to let me trade options (ironically, after I traded options for their clients working for them for 2 years in my youth), but my friend who listed no experience and a high net worth got margin and options trading enabled in his account.
There is a VERY fine line between "for your own protection" and "so that people who already have resources have more options."
Yes, there are gambles that can give great returns if you're lucky. And may even make sense as part of a diversified portfolio. That's the idea with VC of course. Though VC returns aren't actually that great in general.
Where I at least part ways is the people here who argue vehemently that there should be no line given that people can go to Vegas and gamble away their life savings. And, as I say, I don't actually think people are missing out on fantastic opportunities for unsophisticated small-time investors that they think they are.
You cannot be trusted with margin / options if you haven't proven that you know the risks. If I were a broker, I wouldn't let you trade if you wouldn't be able to cover a loss on options - I'm sure brokers have been defrauded before by people just disappearing or going bankrupt.
You can't play with millions if all you have to your name is a $600 stimulus check and a sock of rainy day money. That's irresponsible.
Stick to what you can afford and what you know about.