Question of the Day, August 23-24 2015, Genetic Talent
Is Talent Genetic?
Interesting question and answers thus far.
It seems that the answer to the old nature nurture debate is that it is both, in about equal measure in most cases, and there is considerable diversity in some cases (inherent variability at all levels).
And it seems that there are many forms of “talent”, perhaps infinite.
I love that Einstein quote “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
I am also clear that all knowledge of “reality” is based on heuristics (useful approximations to something vastly more complex), and most of the heuristics available to modern science are less that 50 years old.
And all physical and most intellectual skills improve with practice. And few of us actually know exactly what it is we do, we just do it (that is one lesson that 30 years of automating systems has taught me, listen to what people say certainly, but watch what they actually do even closer).
So it seems we all have genetic dispositions that give us advantages in particular areas, and we can improve any aspect of our capacities with consistent practice, and specific training to extend our abilities.
