On the nature of talent

[eryndel]

Well, since there seems to be a lull in communication on my lj, I'll interrupt my normally scheduled long winded updates to pose a question as a discussion point. Does "Talent" really exist and, if so, does such a thing serve as a measure of accomplishment in an area

Comments

[42redmonkeys]

It seems to me that I have the same inclination....but I also have that OCD thing goin on when I have a passion, I obsess about it and I research the bejesus out of the subject, buy every tool, rearrange my work space, all that happy krap....THEN I can and do produce top quality work....It's been that way for me with everythign I've ever done. If I am writing, sculpting, sewing, beading, cutting glass....whatever.
I have rarely had a desire to do a project of any type that I was incapable of doing well.
But again - is it that my desire waned or just never sparked because of the lack of inherent "talent" in that area?

Hard to say I think....maybe more research is necessary.........

I do however think that "talent" is something that everyone has in one area or another. Otherwise everyone would be able to be good at anything.

[eryndel]

So then why not? Why can't people be good at anything? Assuming no serious mitigation conditions, I'd presume that if someone was passionate about doing something, they'd do well at it. People aren't good at everything, just because there's limitations of time and attention. But if there was interest, I would suppose that would be enough to give someone the motivation to excel.

Now, we might be getting into something of a chicken/egg argument. Are people good at what they are passionate about, or passionate about what they are good at. But it makes me wonder where talent fits in to all of that.

[42redmonkeys]

have you ever been to karaoke night at the bar??!

end of argument.

NOT everyone can be good at something just because they want to be.

not even with the BEST of beer goggles!

[eryndel]

Yes, I have been to karaoke night and, while I might suggest that more than several beers might constitute a "serious mitigation[sic] conditions", you have a pretty valid point there.

And, I've never gotten a chance to [sic] myself before. Too cool.