On the contrary I think that's the main point: that a fairly trivial amount of practice is enough to surpass almost everyone who you'll encounter in the activit

On the contrary I think that's the main point: that a fairly trivial amount of practice is enough to surpass almost everyone who you'll encounter in the activity. Obviously (tautologically) the average person who practices regularly will be average among the people who practice regularly -- you'd have to practice exceptionally well (or perhaps start out with exceptional talent) for practice to make you exceptional in that group. So I don't think it's a cheat, it's just about putting it into perspective.