Most people who randomly get a windfall of money were previously poor. If you’re poor and suddenly get lots of money, you most probably can’t handle it; “#4. Extra Money Has to Be Spent Right Goddamn Now!”: http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-stupidest-habits-you-devel...
MacArthur winners have two advantages: First, they are probably good at something, and therefore are likely not poor. Secondly, even if they are poor, they are probably very focused on their thing which made them get the prize, and any money goes to their thing, not to themselves, which makes most people a little more rational when deciding things.