Well Michael the urban legend will remain an urban legend. I have no intention of namedropping in this case. If you do not believe me then that is OK. If you do not accept that a lot of undeserving untalented people get there by connections and getting a boost from people in the know who they know then that is also OK. I know different. I admire positive thinking....but I also admire realism. A dream is great and everyone should strive to attain goals. That said no point in getting completely deflated because your pie in the sky dream is unattainable. That is my point and I fail to understand why this point is coming under attack. It is not being cynical negative or being skeptic...it is being truthful and realistic.
I know lots of positive minded, dedicated, very talented people who have not made it and probably never will. Sadly I also know people with talent which lies somewhere between non existent and very very limited who have made it really big.
Nothing wrong with positiveness and desire but..... a bit of luck and a relative or friend in the know wins every time over positiveness and desire. Talent and drive does not even enter the equation.