I can't figure out a way to be both friendly and answer productively.

Stop blaming other people, it will seldom help. If you succeed, it will be because you got out there and did the work and got in the right place at the right time. If you don't succeed, it will be because you personally fucked up. You can get that attitude, and accept that finding some way to succeed is your responsibility. Alternatively, you can blame your friends and whine on the internet about how it's so hard and the people around you are all to blame for everything. I have a feeling I know what you are going to do.