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Is there any such thing as natural ability?
You hear of people doing amazing things, like being sublime at controlling or football or being a brilliant guitarist. You've also probably heard someone at some time say "It's a natural gift" or "They were born to do that". Can a person be born specifically to be good at certain things? Or is everyone born on an equal playing field and some choose to develop particular skills whilst others don't?
It's a difficult one to decide on. Whilst I don't believe that a baby is born straight there with the skills ready to go when they're older, I do believe people can be born with the mental or physical aspects required for particular skills. However, I don't believe the skill itself is a given. All skills have to be developed, it's just some are more adept at certain skills than others.
What are your thoughts? :-)
Is there any such thing as natural ability?
You hear of people doing amazing things, like being sublime at controlling or football or being a brilliant guitarist. You've also probably heard someone at some time say "It's a natural gift" or "They were born to do that". Can a person be born specifically to be good at certain things? Or is everyone born on an equal playing field and some choose to develop particular skills whilst others don't?
It's a difficult one to decide on. Whilst I don't believe that a baby is born straight there with the skills ready to go when they're older, I do believe people can be born with the mental or physical aspects required for particular skills. However, I don't believe the skill itself is a given. All skills have to be developed, it's just some are more adept at certain skills than others.
What are your thoughts? :-)
However, I draw, paint, sculpt, I'm a dab hand at most DIY jobs, etc...
And surely being "more adept" at certain things indicates a degree of natural ability? I've been drawing and painting all my life, right from an early age. What I actually learnt was to expand that skill into broader areas, so to apply it to other things as a means to enhance them.
The difference is this;
You can teach ANYONE to draw, but you CAN'T teach anyone to be Da Vinci. I suspect he had some natural talent..
I do have a singing voice a little like a dying warthog, so probably beyond saving I would imagine. I also at one time attempted to learn how to play the guitar, also without success. I'm pretty sure this was not down to lack of persistence (I'm pretty stubborn, and on the whole I think it's possible to learn most things to a degree) but rather more down to lack of ability. So, no chance of me becoming the next big thing on the music front...
Everyone may have an inherent 'talent' ie: something that they are good at. Whether this is the power of suggestion, making people happy or something more akin to an entertainment-based talent.
There will be an element of nature involved in this, the way you are physically designed or how many of each gene you have, and also an element of nurture, how you're raised, whether you are allowed your talent to grow.
Then there's finding this in the first place. Maybe you go through your whole life not even realising your talent because the opportunity has never arisen.
Is there any such thing as natural ability?
Yes, genetically everyone has natural strengths and weaknesses. For example, part of the reason Messi is such a good dribbler is because he's only 5'7, he has a very low centre of gravity which helps with balance.
I used to run cross-country for my school until I was 14 and filled out physically. Back then I was a natural runner, now it's impossible because I'm top-heavy and more suited to heavy-lifting.
Obviously skill development helps but the reality is some people are naturally more able to do some things than others.
Sonic Chris wrote:
Is there any such thing as natural ability?
Yes, genetically everyone has natural strengths and weaknesses. For example, part of the reason Messi is such a good dribbler is because he's only 5'7, he has a very low centre of gravity which helps with balance.
Well that covers the physical aspect of his game. What about the mental element? Was he naturally born with the capability to make quick decisions, or did he develop it? Would anyone else be able to train to such a level, or does he have a gift?
Well that covers the physical aspect of his game. What about the mental element? Was he naturally born with the capability to make quick decisions, or did he develop it? Would anyone else be able to train to such a level, or does he have a gift?
A long time ago my psyche told me that seeing the mind and body as 2 separate entities is a bit of a nonsense. It's all the same biology and connected.
Using Messi again, the fact that he is small will lead to a reactionary advantage. There's a reason tall people tend to be clumsy, slower and less agile and it's due to the distance the signals from the brain have to travel through the nervous system. Anyone can train to become sharper and quicker but his potential would far exceed someone a foot taller.
Assuming his identical biology, anyone could train to the same level given the same environment.
Sonic Chris wrote:
[i]Well that covers the physical aspect of his game. What about the mental element? Was he naturally born with the capability to make quick decisions, or did he develop it? Would anyone else be able to train to such a level, or does he have a gift?
A long time ago my psyche told me that seeing the mind and body as 2 separate entities is a bit of a nonsense. It's all the same biology and connected.
Using Messi again, the fact that he is small will lead to a reactionary advantage. There's a reason tall people tend to be clumsy, slower and less agile and it's due to the distance the signals from the brain have to travel through the nervous system. Anyone can train to become sharper and quicker but his potential would far exceed someone a foot taller.
Assuming his identical biology, anyone could train to the same level given the same environment.[/i]
Ahem: Basketball Players. :)