I haven't read the book, but I have read the "situation at the coffee shop" example you cite. Here is my take on this. I would probably act like the unlucky person, not pick up someone else's $5 (likely I would tell the barista, and put it in the tip jar) and also may not really be in the mood to chit-chat with a stranger. Sometimes I do talk to people I come across, sometimes not. Also, I am not interested in starting a business or looking for a job, so I am not really looking for "opportunities to network". If I talk to someone, it is with no motive at all (and I am on the shy/introvert side). So as per the book, I am a loser of my own making. Okay....
Second, when I blame my "luck", my complaint is with my inborn personality - too nerdy, not super ambitious, not gregarious, not having the killer instinct and confidence that entreprenuers/successful types have, etc. So guess I am not sold on the book, at least based on the coffee shop example. But if you have read the whole book, by all means, lets hear what you have to say further on it.