2 ms·

I believe there is a genetic maximum capability by age (GMCA) for any given endeavour. Certain categories of endeavours require significant time spent in youth

I believe there is a genetic maximum capability by age (GMCA) for any given endeavour. Certain categories of endeavours require significant time spent in youth (early teens to mid twenties) in order to reach GMCA - let's call these type 1 endeavours. For others, you can start later in life and still nearly reach GMCA (type 2). Other endeavours are more heavily skewed to genetics and may not require a significant time investment (type 3). Examples of type 1 endeavours are violin, guitar, chess, skateboarding, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, competitive programming and slope style mountain biking. Examples of type 2 endeavours are cycling and long distance running. Examples of type 3 endeavours are sprinting, poetry and power lifting This is a bit of a strawman, but I think it has the potential to be more accurate than GMCA can be achieved simply in 10K hours.

sinenomine 4y ago
Thank you for a rarely heard voice of reason among the sea of self-help-inspired virtue signaling. I find this culture of explicit expectation of anyone being able to become anything at any age deeply depressing - not just for myself, but for society as a whole. It’s not hard to see the rising depression rates and the obvious relevant pathway towards it - society producing unrealistic expectations in the individual only to be shattered by uncaring reality X years later. This extreme blank slate-ism is simply inhumane at this point. We should acknowledge your simple model of individual human potential dependent on genetics, age and early learning. We should accept the fact that human neuroplasticity is a rapidly falling curve when plotted by age. With these truths in place we could develop objective evidence-based models of human potential and derive solid advice from these. Only such advice I would consider humane, while feel-good verbalizing should be considered abuse. If you think about it, professional sports training is structured not unlike this scheme. I wonder why we can’t accept this method for broader and more important sections of society.

sinenomine 4y ago

Thank you for a rarely heard voice of reason among the sea of self-help-inspired virtue signaling. I find this culture of explicit expectation of anyone being able to become anything at any age deeply depressing - not just for myself, but for society as a whole. It’s not hard to see the rising depression rates and the obvious relevant pathway towards it - society producing unrealistic expectations in the individual only to be shattered by uncaring reality X years later. This extreme blank slate-ism is simply inhumane at this point. We should acknowledge your simple model of individual human potential dependent on genetics, age and early learning. We should accept the fact that human neuroplasticity is a rapidly falling curve when plotted by age. With these truths in place we could develop objective evidence-based models of human potential and derive solid advice from these. Only such advice I would consider humane, while feel-good verbalizing should be considered abuse. If you think about it, professional sports training is structured not unlike this scheme. I wonder why we can’t accept this method for broader and more important sections of society.