Take the same idea and apply it to gambling. Does it hold up well?

In any case it's a moot point, to an argument nobody made.

Trying or not trying, and understanding that the (documented) cases of social mobility are worsening are orthogonal.

In fact, with that understanding, a society can do something to improve that, which will also make it easier for people trying.

The point was that donating 8m to charity wouldn’t help because too many things are wrong. This is obviously incorrect, prima facie.

Why?

Charities that receive 8m can help people more than charities that receive zero.