Only when barriers to entry truly work do people genuinely invest in building them.

The only two strategies that work in this world are either to grind relentlessly or not to do it at all. If you're going to do something, you have to aim for the top. The first-place winner takes the lion's share of the rewards; the second place gets leftovers; the third place gets to lick the plate; and everyone else ends up empty-handed, just along for the ride.

If you're not willing to grind hard and push your way to the top, then don't bother doing it at all.