I think Bill Gates is not saying people can't improve their programming chops, but instead that innate talent cannot be taught or learned. From a different per

I think Bill Gates is not saying people can't improve their programming chops, but instead that innate talent cannot be taught or learned. From a different perspective - all pro-level athletes got to where they are today with a lot of training. But only a tiny fraction of the global population, if put through the same training regimen, could achieve that pro status.