My point was more that following your dreams will get you to about the same place as gumption, hard work and keeping your head down.

Instead you need to understand power dynamics, social arrangements, how to negotiate, things like that.

For instance, your success as an artist in say the 1960s could come much easier if you spent your time becoming close friends with Peggy Guggenheim instead of working on your brush stroke.

Next time you see a stupid startup get funded, go research who the founders are and invariably you'll find like, their parents are hedge fund managers.

Now you could call me a cynic, complain it's unfair, or you could go out and meet some hedge fund managers with your time (this option works the best!)

The opposite of a useless comment is not necessarily an aphorism.