Hi Carl,

I remember reading something similar to what you described here. The man I read about was Anders Ericsson. Here is a link to a short article in the New York Times about his experiment that I believe he went on to write a book about:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/magazine/07wwln_freak.html?ei=5090&en=2cf57fe91bdd490f&ex=1304654400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

I am not sure if this is the same thing you are talking about but his main point seems to be the old adage “practice makes perfect”.

Kari

In educational terminology talent refers to a learned skill while giftedness refers to an innate skill. I suppose we are back to the nurture vs. nature debate. I have never understood the use of making such debates all or nothing. It’s pretty clear that ability is the result of a complex intertwining of both innate and learned abilities. And yes, the people at the top of their fields have a wealth of both. For everyone who practices several hours a day, there is someone else practicing those same hours with more innate ability. For every naturally gifted musician, there is another equally gifted practicing longer hours. It take every resource taken to its full advantage to rise above the masses.