I agree with what you are saying, but that's why there are 3 body type classifications, endo, meso, ecto. Meso's are naturally genetically gifted. I really don't think they know how hard it is for people with other body types, so when they are consistent with diet for 1 week, it's like they just completed the tour de france. I'm not attempting to belittle anyone on these forums. I repect everyone on these forums, my rant is more geared towards my friends who eat **** and hang around 8% bodyfat, and barely lift, and can almost hang with me in the weight room. These people are then perceived to be "experts" because of their superior genetics, when it couldn't be further from the truth.
I know the whole train smarter not harder methodology. That doesn't mean smart is easier, which is how you are conveying that notion. Smarter is also subjective. Is it smarter for you to learn about proper nutrition which will take alot longer to achieve your goals, or is it smarter for you to take shortcuts. Is faster smarter? Very subjective... but I do know doing something correctly requires discipline and hardwork, and there is no "smart" way around that.
I gotta agree for the most part, genetics play a HUGE role..
One of my best friends stays at about 9-10% 200lbs, eats WHATEVER the hell he wants. Never has stuck to any regimented eating plan, Doesn't even eat all that much, his diet is mostly junkfood, with sporadic meals here and there.
Trains just as sporadicly, talks on his cell, talks to people in the gym. Doesn't keep any sort of log book, just goes in uses more or less the same weight everytime, with little to no progress there. Will miss training for weeks at a time.
NEVER does cardio.
And to take it even FURTHER.. I hear him ***** about his genetics to me, because his training partner, and another friend of ours who happens to be black, is like 240 8-9%, NEVER touched anything pro-hormone, or AAS wise. BUT he eats decent, still not great, but MUCH better, and trains like an animal. I always tell my boy, he could be that if he just got regimented about his diet/training.
SO IMO genetics play a big role, people with good genetics, can take a half assed approach and get the same, if not better results, then people with crap genetics busting their ass. OR the gifted person can put in the same amount of effort, and dedication, and far exceed the lesser person.