Assume that working harder can lead to a better grade. Assume that having an intrinsic interest in the specific areas related to your work leads to better work

Assume that working harder can lead to a better grade. Assume that having an intrinsic interest in the specific areas related to your work leads to better work than simply being motivated by other external rewards such as salary or title or prestige. From these assumptions it follows that you would actually prefer the B/C average student to the straight A one. It is far more likely that straight A students are simply someone who is motivated by good grades and will work hard to get them, than that they are an "all-around genius". Compare this to someone who gets a couple As and a bunch of Ds. These individuals are less likely to be motivated by grades or else they wouldn't have got Ds. They are more likely to have an intrinsic interest in specific areas, or else they wouldn't have got As.