Sarah Brenay TC ch. 3

Sarah Brenay TC ch. 3
Summary:
The idea that an individual is born "gifted" is commonly accepted in our culture, but is full of illogical assumptions at second glance. Those individuals who dazzle the world with a sudden outburst of here-to-fore unimagined talent seem to "appear out of nowhere." In reality, they were there all along, quietly practicing, failing, improving, and myelinating neural circuits just like the rest of us. There is no talent gene, ability is not heritable. The only coding in our genes that determines our future skill is the amount of oligodendrocytes insulating our neurons with myelin. Everyone is equally capable of developing skills to a level beyond what they would think possible, and of choosing what skills to develope.
Key Concepts: 
Everyone has to work to attain, even those who seem to do so effortlessly. No one is exempt from this process, not even "geniuses." Everyone starts at basically the same level. We have the power to choose what circuits we continually fire, and therefore we choose what skills to build and how far to build them.
Key Terms:
glial cells - produce and support myelin
broadband - the term Coyle uses to describe the way in which myelin speeds up neural processes
Making Connections:  Everyone has equal potential, it's what we do with it that counts. Those people who are able to practice in a more efficient way, myeinating the right circuits, have the advantage.