There is huge variation in ability. I was valedictorian. That might be achievable through work. Fair enough. But that's nothing compared to what top-tier minds

There is huge variation in ability. I was valedictorian. That might be achievable through work. Fair enough. But that's nothing compared to what top-tier minds can do. I also had a childhood friend who tested 4 standard deviations out on a psychologist administered IQ test in high school. We had similar backgrounds. We sometimes "tied" in grades, but there is a huge gaping ability gap between me and him. You cannot study your way to that level. The raw throughput, creativity, and abstract conceptual ability cannot be achieved through practice. Maybe you have to see it yourself to believe it. And really this shouldn't surprise us. There is huge variation in athletic talent, and anyone can see it. Why should our brains be different?