You could have been born with the same brain and capabilities in another place.  Would you still be reading m* over some coffee or whatever?  Might you be at the dump trying to find something to sell so you could buy some rice or corn...

"There, but for the grace of God, go I"

Well, I dunno def.  We could look at Russia for example.  There is a huge country, abundent natural reasources, plenty of opportunity.  Russians have likely been born with the same brain and capabilities as we have.  So how is Russia doing compared to the US?  And why?  

MWL