The Myth of Talent
We grow up believing people are naturally “good” or “bad” at things. Some are “math people,” others “creative,” and some are “just smart.” But decades of research in psychology and neuroscience tell a different story: skill is mostly the result of how people practice, not who they are.
Take Benjamin Franklin, for instance. He wasn’t born a master of electricity; he became one ...
The article presents a compelling, albeit subtly manipulative, argument for self-efficacy, framed as a defense against innate limitations. It leverages the popularity of the "growth mindset" – that abilities are not fixed – but does so through a highly curated narrative, selectively highlighting research to support its core thesis. The Steelman argument is solid: Ericsson's work is undeniably influential, and the descriptions of Franklin and Mozart offer compelling anecdotal evidence. However, t...