If only we know how bad the economy is degrading globally, we would want to push ourselves to our limit and focus on that our skill or business. Taking it up to the next level. Some persons are still skeptical about the business they own, while some are waiting for the opportunities, they were promised to them by friends or relative and others are comfortable because they have rich people around them that if they place a call, they will answer them.
As the economy is getting worst it is difficult for a responsible adult to go to bed without planning on how to grow his business or how to attract new customers, not just new though but potential customers and business partners that will have big influence in his business. Time waits for no man. Yes, the life is filled with ups and down, but we won't stop trying so that we can have that impact on the existence of man just like how other nerds have done.
Very few people in the world run businesses, most are employees and it is still possible to carve out a very reasonable lifestyle working for other people. Like you say though, some people go through life relying on other people and in some circumstances pushing it too far - they end up leeching a living without actually contributing anything to society. Those people struggle most later in life when they sap all goodwill out of their friends and family but have no plan in place for their own independent retirement. You don't have to run a business to have a successful lifestyle, but you should aim to find a job that you like so it becomes less of a chore because you will spend a lot of your life invested in that activity.