I wouldn't be at all surprised if some DIY'er somewhere had turned the
main breaker "off" (having been warned of the dangers) and then hooked
up to the wrong side of it. Why, wondered he, was the generator so hard
to start, and why didn't his lights come on?

I sure would be surprised if that happened... and if it did, I'd expect even
the dullest person to figure out why it wasn't working.

Clearly you have never worked a customer service desk.