What about all those uppity colonists in the 1770's-1780s? On this side of the Atlantic, we call that the "Revolutionary War". I don't know how Brits view that historically, but enough people died over it that it would seem it should count.

As a "casual" WoW player, I enjoy many different aspects of the game. I'm an engineer, doing a lot of programming, so I have some appreciation for the scale, complexity, and effort that goes into developing something so vast as the 3d world of WoW. The artistic and tactical development of the world itself merits a lot of appreciation in my book. I don't spend every moment (even online) thinking about it, but its something I do consider often, especially when entering a new zone or raid. Meeting and cooperating with new, completely random people on a regular basis also provides its challenges and enjoyment. Different people get different things out of the experience, sometimes sacrificing other parts of their lives to do so. As the only night owl in my household (always have been) I find an hour or so online to be more enjoyable than most of the TV choices that are available when I don't feel like reading late at night.

I'm not saying people can't overcome their circumstances. I'm saying they're the exception, not the rule, and that the answer of "they're stupid and lazy" seems to me to be a massive oversimplification.

There was a time when we were a nation of such "exceptional" people. At one time, being exceptional in that way was necessary (for survival), so people did it. Now, such people are considered extraordinary, and I find that saddening.

I agree that the broad accusation of being "stupid and lazy" is indeed an oversimplification. Its more likely to be a matter of poorly placed/taught values in things like: self-sufficiency, freedom, choice. Education plays prominently into all 3 of these things, but without valuation of these 3 there is little motivation for the effort of learning, earning, or contributing.

Note that I didn't put "comfort" or "security" in my list. It is fine to value those as well and we all do to some degree. However, when their value relative to rest becomes out of whack... well, then we get what we have and its exceptionally difficult to teach new or contrary values upon a large population. That doesn't make the effort to do so worthless, but maybe it makes us "exceptional" for trying.