While not the sole component of success, belief that you can succeed is the sine qua non of any achievement.  Everything else may be ripe, but you don't think it, you won't try it, and the opportunity will pass.  That is what the reluctant No voters and the die-hard Unionists could not see: that numbers don't ever give confidence.  All that numbers can do, from the standpoint of agency, of autonomy, is tell you what is easy and what is hard and what is nigh on impossible.  Those who voted No did not look at the numbers and vote rationally, as pundits like Alex Massie are wont to claim.  They used numbers to rationalize their own uncertainties and gave up a measure of independence, both societally and personally, in the process.