EvE is very cleverly designed game. Thats why it works. It has something for everyone:
1) fly in high sec, do your stuff
2) live like "underdog" in low sec, live like a pirate, or a pirate hunter if thats your thing
3) go into 0.0 and claim part of the universe for yourself
It just...works
EDIT: personally i find concept of "safe zone" where new player can get comfortable with the game one of big contributor to the success. New player has to be given a chance to "learn" the game on their own terms, conept of "just throw everyone to the wolves immediately and forget about it" havent yielded good results. If player quit the game before he/she has the chance to experience "butterfly effect", its all in vain.