In as much as the last part of your thread is accurate, I will disagree with you on the first line that hard work doesn't pay, for you to work smart needs consistency which is a product of working hard. Whether you work online or offline, for you to make it boils down to working hard.
You have a point. I sensed that the OP is filled with rage probably seeing that some people who were known for their hardwork do not have the results expected of them. This is understandable but not a good way to generalise that hardwork no longer pay because it still does.
I know it's a problem with English but in reality, we know hardwork is key to success in addition to grace. There is nothing that will take the place of hardwork, even in this forum, it takes hardwork to survive here because the workload, things to read and study are just too many. No lazy person can grow in a forum like this, so who says hardwork does not lead to success? Abi hardwork na to only carry block?