Its very possible to beat the stock market indices assuming two basic conditions which are not readily available to all US traders - 1. you can take a position on the index price 2. you can take short positions on the index
Reread what you wrote. Your argument why it is impossible is invalid. First you say it is impossible. Second you say that so many people would not quit. To make the first statement valid you should say that ALL people quit. If not all people quit, it means that it is possible some of those who do not quit, beat the market. So in contradiction with your first statement. Can you follow my logic?