I suspect it’s worse than that: most people have multiple natural talents they never discover. That is why I encourage my kids to try all kinds of experiences, and not label themselves as “not a science person” or “not outdoorsy”. You don’t need to be good at just one thing.
A famous philosopher pondered why seals can balance balls. They don’t need to in the wild. Could a tiger play the banjo? Who’s gonna try?
The seal thing isn’t a huge surprise; they need a lot of fine nose control to swim and hunt efficiently. The same way we need hand eye coordination and can balance balls with our hands.
It’s from a standup routine from Eddie Izzard.
That’s why you try everything and only stick with things you enjoy and are good at
Is there such a thing as talent that isn’t a byproduct of a high IQ and personal interest
Well, you could have perfect pitch
I used to climb towers for a living. Never thought I’d be into it but I actually really liked it and wish I’d started earlier in life and kept at it longer. Can guarantee the only high IQ involved a tape measure and a bad pun.
Yeah, almost all sports. Although maybe you don’t consider physical proportions and stuff like that “talent” exactly.
And education.
Education is a measure of stubbornness
And wealth and other forms of privilege, in the case of formal education.
There’s also talents that are byproducts of being born to wealthy parents
I have so much talents. I think.
There could be a second Einstein out there, but we’d never know, because she was unable to go to school.
Why do I suddenly have a deep seeded desire to try pyramid building and slave control?!!