I'd argue that these "traps" stem primarily from risk aversion. While it's best for society that talented people gravitate toward high-risk, high-reward pursuit

I'd argue that these "traps" stem primarily from risk aversion. While it's best for society that talented people gravitate toward high-risk, high-reward pursuits, the talented individual is still often attracted to a more conservative strategy, having something to lose. Most people are terrified of straying from a well-laid-out career path.