I could answer that I don't care. But that would not be true. The surface attitude of saying "I don't care" actually says the opposite. If I don't care that much, I don't need to emphasise it, do I? Some people respect you if you work or do something to change professionally or develop your skills. Others are jealous of it and don't say anything positive. No reaction at all is the worst thing people can experience. Everyone is dependent on resonance and to claim that one is not impressed by how one's environment reacts to achievements , I consider statements that are in vogue, a la "I have always been different", "I have never cared about the opinions of others" etc., but reflect more wishful thinking than reality. Real "otherness" is rare and no one can stand it for long because it makes you lonely. From old stories you know "the oddball" or the "crazy old biddy", but you wouldn't want to swap.

That's why I agree with you that it's superfluous to say that someone hasn't made it. It also says more about the person saying it than about the person being talked about. I also think that mediocrity is the norm and the opposite of the oddball is the genius or the outstanding artist.
Ones own achievements can be outstanding on some occasions but they are that way because the rest of the times they are not :) I wouldn't want it to be otherwise.