The really disappointing part here is that many, many more things are like this. E.g. raises and promotions. Nowadays a lot of companies can't afford these any more. But still on paper they offer these opportunities and even really give promotions to 1-2 people of multiple dozens or hundreds, so that you feel shitty about not getting one. Or dating websites that give unattractive people hope that they can find a (-n attractive) partner if they fill out 2 hours worth of forms and let the inputs run through an algorithm.

The best selling product is unrealistic hope.