What the hell was that ? That's just an article full of bold claims "If something is physically possible then you can achieve it if you try hard enough" and self gratification.
I hate people like this who, because they have been lucky in life and because they have worked hard think they can give general lessons about life.
My gosh this article was obnoxious.
What I really hate is to see this kind of tall poppy syndrome, and I'm horrified to see it on HN of all places. Confident, ambitious people should be celebrated, not hammered down by small-minded people who are offended whenever someone tries to achieve above their station.
Personally, I think that's a pretty good attitude for a teenager to have.
* Born in a 1st world country
* Born in a wealthy enough family that can afford computers and education for their children
* Born with parents that are supportive of her actions
It's a very common misconception on Hacker News that we have started from nothing and if people don't succeed it's because they don't "try enough". If you really want to see nothing go to Africa and say you haven't been lucky in life. "Trying" for these people is way harder than YOUR trying and you have to realize that.
By the way I am in no way sour, it's just important to realize what we were given in life and stop giving lessons to everybody based on our limited experience. Just a little decency.
So, you make a good point, and in some way, I think she realizes that with all she has been given, the excuses left to her are crappy.
She's in Indonesia, and likely to be stuck making cassava with her mom and helping in the fields, until she gets married off and never heard from again.
If she was able to suffer a trip on a boat, or be adopted into the 1st World she'd have a solid chance at an education, and a first world life.
Well i write web apps too and i can confirm it. I have not been agle to get my hands on a smartphone. And it's been ages and i still don't have a smartphone despite of listening and talking about it for years. People usually ignore this.
Some time back, there was a kid who wrote ipad apps. I felt this that time too, he was more lucky. I haven't ever seen an ipad IRL let alone use it or own it. If i had an ipad when i was 12, i would have been very happy and probably better coder than i am today. Having access to all of this is a great help if you have it and albeit not a road blocker exactly but still a discouraging thought if you don't have them. Reading about such stuff everyday but never getting a chance to use them is not the best thing you would want for yourself.
Only i know how much i want a smart device but i am still not able to get it. So yes, being lucky definitely counts. Although i would like to point out that i am getting education and my parents are still super supportive.