[quote]Professor X wrote:
JLu wrote:
Professor X wrote:
This post makes no sense. If you could do “parkour” (I had to look this shit up), then you would know whether your weight was an issue.
Further, if you have not done “parkour” what the hell makes you think you have the genetics and coordination to do it?
There is such a thing as innate ability. Everyone may practice at basketball, but not everyone can be Michael Jordan.
I don’t believe in “innate ability”, aside from genetic limitations (height, tendon/ligament strength etc etc) skill in ANYTHING is a direct result of ones environment and how much they practice at it. I hold this belief after reading “Outliers” in which the reason Asians are good at math is explained, along with how people like Bill Gates were able to achieve their success. Nurture, whether intended or not >>>>>>>>> nature.
I’m sorry, but what do you think innate ability refers to? If you don’t have the right physical shape to be a world class gymnast, the chances of you getting into the Olympics are slim to none. There ARE people who react faster to visual cues and simply have faster reaction time. This is again “innate ability”. To say this matters little is just naive.
Everyone the same height as a pro basketball player will not have the ability to “train” their way into being a Kobe Bryant. They may not have the hand eye coordination, the balance or the reaction time.
You can continue to believe we are all the same if you wish…it just isn’t true.
Teaching someone math is not the same as teaching someone to be a world class athlete. The talent has to be there to start with.[/quote]
When you say “innate ability” it makes me think you’re implying that some people either “have it” or don’t, and this is what I’m disagreeing with. Physical shape is genetic, and obviously can’t be helped as we have no control over that, but besides that yes, everything can be taught.
You said “Everyone the same height as a basketball player will not have the ability to train their way into being a Kobe Bryant”, I disagree, hand eye coordination, balance, and reaction time are things you can train and get better at, the more you train, the better you get. Yes, anyone can train to any level they wish, it’s just that it takes SO much training, most people give up under the clause that “Oh I’m just not made for this” or some crap, not realizing that there’s nothing “innate” about trained skills (yes, I believe learning math is very much like learning a sport, all it takes is practice and consistency to “grease the groove” and create the correct neural pathways).
I doubt either of us is going to change the others opinion so I’ll just agree to disagree.