Sam TC Ch. 3

Sam
Chapter Summary: From a superficial perspective it can seem that extremely talented people just appear randomly by a combination of circumstantial and genetic coincidence. Talent, however, is less dependent on fate and more dependent on deep practice. Skill is insulation that wraps around the circuits in our brain in quantities that are directly correlate to how much stimulation that those circuits receive. Although it is still true that matters of circumstance play a role in how effectively we develop talent, myelin is much more important. The culture of the Bronte sisters, the Z-Boys, and the Renaissance-era artist of Florence certainly had an influence, but certainly there were thousands of others in similar cultural circumstances who didn't develop the same level talent. The real difference for them came as a result of their dedication to a lifestyle that encouraged good habits of deep practice, which allows myelin to to wrap around neurons and create skill. How effectively myelin wraps the circuits in our brains is not dependent on who we are, but on what we do. In the past people justified the nature vs. nurture theory for talent development by claiming that talent was a result of our genetic make-up and the environment in which we live. Although our genes are essentially blueprints that are responsible for our physical and mental composition, when it comes to the development of complex skills myelin and our dedication to the deep practice that produces it are ultimately responsible.
Key Concept: Myelination is ultimately responsible for the development of all talent and occurs when we consistently fire the circuits in our brain that correspond to each individual skill. Myelination is not affected by culture, nature, or other circumstances, but by our actions.
Key Terms: Skill, Myelin Beings, genes, oligodendrocytes
Making Connections: As a singer it is important to realize that the development of talent is completely based on work rather than on chance. Any individual can develop singing skills so long as they have good habits of deep practice because myelin doesn't care about who we are as much as it cares about what we do.