Comment by teiferer

We are not in disagreement here. Of course it makes sense to study successes and figure out differences in patterns of behavior making success more likely. Causal or not, that is another matter.

However, it's not black-or-white. Once an aspect that has likely contributed to success is identified, it's often framed as if focusing on that aspect guarantees success. That's an easy mistake to make if all observed cases of success exhibit it. But it's far from a guarantee, other aspects my play a role too. Like luck, for example. That's what I meant by mentioning survivorship bias.