Strong like an Amazon.

Tara ,'Storyteller'


Natter 69: Practically names itself.  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Typo Boy - Nov 26, 2011 8:08:24 am PST #8605 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

Using the word talent makes it more problematic. The key is whether variation in skills are completely determined by environment or are partially determined by genes. Those skills can be fully or partially cultural specific, but the question remains as to whether genes play zero role in variation. The answer may vary for varying skills, but it seems really unlikely that none of the skills we value in which extreme variation is noted have that variation influenced by genes. I was born the same year as Magic Johnson. No doubt part of the reason he played basketball better than I do was because he worked a million times harder at the game than I ever did. But I'm five foot seven, and have genetically poor coordination. But is there any reason to believe that any amount of hard work have turned me into the player Johnson was?

Mind you your point about intelligence is relevant too. A lot of people don't appreciate how important intelligence is to athletics, how much being really good at a competitive sport requires split second decisions making and tactical planning. Being good at basketball or football or karate is a kind of intelligence. Years ago I heard one coach say to another "Yeah, he is quick. But, how quick is his quick."


Jesse - Nov 26, 2011 8:08:52 am PST #8606 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

GodDAMN, I love four days off. I don't have to go to work AGAIN tomorrow! So good.


Tom Scola - Nov 26, 2011 8:21:35 am PST #8607 of 30001
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.

I'm at work right now.


Jesse - Nov 26, 2011 8:24:59 am PST #8608 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

I'm very sorry.


Steph L. - Nov 26, 2011 8:44:49 am PST #8609 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

Bobby McFerrin is maybe the biggest argument for talent I can imagine. You tell me that anyone could do what he does with enough practice.

Michael Jordan.


flea - Nov 26, 2011 8:47:03 am PST #8610 of 30001
information libertarian

Michael Jordan can sing?


Allyson - Nov 26, 2011 8:48:08 am PST #8611 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica

You tell me that anyone could do what he does with enough practice.

I don't know. I believe, without any freakin evidence at all to support it, that he has a genetic component or components (talent) mixed with a life of encouragement and discipline, and some plain old chance coming in to play where someone with some power said, "hey, that's cool, let's record him doing that!".

But I have no proof of the genetic component. It's a theory.


Jesse - Nov 26, 2011 8:52:30 am PST #8612 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Can things be innate without being genetic?


Typo Boy - Nov 26, 2011 8:54:14 am PST #8613 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

Sure - diet and environment before you are born. Also there is a formal word (Allyson might remember) for stuff that is not directly genetic but a result of other stuff that is.


Steph L. - Nov 26, 2011 8:55:49 am PST #8614 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine

Michael Jordan can sing?

Like an angel.

I thought we were talking about talent in general, not just talent within artistic spheres.