Actually, what I wrote was not some sweeping blanket for all of mankind; variations in humans would not make this possible. What I wrote was actually an addition to the previous ideas, not a new separate one.
*Some* people have no interest in astrophysics and consequently will never become astrophysicists. Others *want* to become astrophysicists, but lack the (brains, intelligence...) to do so.

According to some, companies have the God-given right to do whatever they want to do, like restrict their costumer's rights, etc. And usually the response to such allegations is "If you don't like it, take a hike." which is often not possible (Google Analytics, anyone?)
Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot we can do. Unless what a company does explicitly break the law, there is nothing we can do except not buy from them. (Or we could just waste our lives by writing really nasty letters all day to Ballmer, Jobs, and Schmidt.)
In other words, companies care diddly-squat about "progress". It's all about the Benjamins.

From the article:

It's a conspiracy, man! Google is controlling people's minds and making them do things!

I never said that you did. :|

Yes, I agree.

I fail to understand what you fail to understand.
Let me try that again: Some people don't really give a shit about how much money, power, knowledge or fame they get. If someone finds physics interesting, that doesn't mean they're going to become a rocket scientist, or have any desire to do so.

I live by the Hacker Ethic: do what you love to do in life, and be passionate about it.

I've often found the people that never get fantastic jobs/lives, don't care about that anyway.
Maybe that's the sour-grape syndrome though...