Talent is very important. Unfortunately, when you start saying that mere mortals not born with some innate talent for X task are destined to forever be not as g

Talent is very important. Unfortunately, when you start saying that mere mortals not born with some innate talent for X task are destined to forever be not as good and less successful everyone throws a fit because the reality is that the majority of us just don't have that talent we crave. It implies that those without the talent won't get ahead and that's really upsetting. I'm still on the fence as to whether to lean on the side this post takes or the original study that it's arguing against but I think this whole discussion has a lot to do with something else entirely. Please try to follow my logic here as I think it's am interesting connection. The American Dream. The story we're told about America being a meritocracy and if we just work hard enough we'll all make it. This myth is pounded into all US born citizens from the time we're first enrolled in school and maybe earlier. But unfortunately this isn't true. In America, if you work really hard you'll get whatever crumbs your masters decide to give you. Power is inherited and not earned more often than not and it's rare that someone breaks out of the ranks and really shakes up the system. So when you imply that talent counts more than hard work it shakes you to your core because of the popular belief that you can do anything if you just try hard enough. But what if we're wrong to refute this? What if talent really does matter more? Acknowledging something like this would surely do more to help you overcome that hurdle than trying to disprove it would. It's like the American Dream. Do I bitch about how it isn't fair and try to convince myself it's real or do I accept it and use my newfound understanding to find away around the problem rather than trying to convince myself it doesn't exist. Again, I'm on the fence here but if I were to play devil's advocate and assume talent matters and practice doesn't, wouldn't that line of thought be more helpful?