Bric Slade TC Chpt. 3

Summary: Some of the biggest reasons there are talent hotbeds in random places and not all around the world are because of the way people view talent. The talent cliché most have adopted is that talent is a combination of the environment around you and the genes that you have been randomly handed. People all over have applied this idea to some of histories most influential genius, most of the time to the point of changing history in order to make their lives make more sense. The Bronte sisters are a prime example of this. Understanding more about them leads people to believe they led a life much like any normal children. By honing their storytelling skills in the backyard for years, and producing aweful literature even into their late teens, were they able to write some amazing books. It took time and effort on their part. The Z-Boys, who were social outcasts yes, but who had practiced "boarding sports" from a very early age, and also skateboarding in some of the harshest conditions available to them, were able to become great skateboarders because of their deep practice. Because they were able to focus in on their practice and practice harder than everyone else around them. There were many skaters like them, social outcasts, with all nature working in their favor but none of them became great. The renaissance, centered primarily around a small city, was able to produce a number of geniuses in a matter of a few decades, and yes their methods were based on deep practice. Using the apprentice system they were training children from an early age in a single profession. Apprenticeship was a Myelin factory.

Key Concepts: Myelin doesn't care about who you are, it cares about what you do.

Key Terms: Z-Boys, Nature/Nurture, Apprentice, Genius

Making Connections: I have the same Oligodendracytes as the Bronte Sisters, Z-Boys, and even Leonardo DeVinci. They are working the exact same way as they were when Mozart was using them. Every choice I make is essentially wrapping my neural circuits with more myelin and either forming good habits or bad habits. I have control over which habits I am forming. I can't just wait around to be great at anything either, I have to work at it.