It is true that hard work and dedication can go a long way towards achieving success in life. However, Nikhil's essay still holds true when considering those who are pursuing higher rewards in life. To succeed on the grander scale, you must be willing to take risks which, as Nikhil pointed out, means losing more than 50% of the time. Sure, one may be able to find success by playing it safe and being consistent, but they will never be able to reach the same heights or fulfill the same goals as those who are willing to suffer losses along the way.
The analogy of card-counting is a perfect example of this concept. Both the game and the idea of succeeding in life require careful planning and execution. However, the point Nikhil was making is that if you want to achieve something big, you must be willing to stomach losses and continue playing in order to reach your goals in the end. Taking risks can be beneficial to success.
This concept also applies in a more general sense. For instance, if one wants to try out for a sports team or audition for a play, they will have to endure losses here and there before they can truly succeed. It's all part of the process. Thus, while hard work and dedication are essential, they are not the only ways to success. In the right circumstances, taking risks can be very beneficial in reaching your goals and achieving success.
So, while it is possible to achieve success with hard work and dedication alone, those who are looking for something bigger will have to take risks and accept losses in order to reach their full potential. That's why Nikhil's original essay was correct in its premise - taking on risky opportunities can ultimately lead to success - even if it comes with its fair share of losses along the way! Who knows? Maybe "deceed" will become part of the dictionary eventually!