I was ABD in math at a top 25 program when I went to a talk given by a graduate student from Berkeley. He was in my area and we had the same length of them spe

I was ABD in math at a top 25 program when I went to a talk given by a graduate student from Berkeley. He was in my area and we had the same length of them spent on the subject. As close to equals in terms of experience and area of study as one can get. He was far better than me and I knew that I’d never understand the subject as well as him. Shortly after I quit the Ph.D. program. I realized I would never do anything worthwhile in the field. There is a large variation in talent within the community of professional mathematicians. Outliers amongst outliers. In trained in MMA for a number of years and sparred against some local fighters. They were better than me but I could get some hits in. I could cause them to expend some effort. Once I sparred with a low level UFC fighter. He thoroughly destroyed me. It was like I was 5 years old. Outliers amongst outliers.