Very well said. I'd like to add on to this with an example.

My Grampa was born in 1927 in the North of England. At that time, and still mostly today, the vast majority of educted, influential, wealthy people and centres of innovation and education were in the South of England (Oxford, Cambridge, London etc.)

My Grampa wanted to go to university. He even went to night school to learn more. He was intelligent and loved learning.

But his father wouldn't let him. He couldn't afford it, and sent my Grampa out to work to help bring money in for the family. He couldn't move away. Because of where he was born he'd never get an opportunity to attend any sort of prestigious institution.

He ended up running his own building company, and sent my dad off to an independent fee-paying school and on to university. I then went on to also attend a selective independent fee-paying school and university, getting a higher final grade (First) than either of my parents. I now make the highest wage that anyone in my direct line of ancestors has ever earned. The thing is, I'm sure if my Grampa had had the opportunity, he'd have done even better than me. He may have contributed to the history books if he'd had a chance, but not so many people in his time did. But they've paved the way for us to learn so much more.