“Gift without effort is like sunshine without warmth; effort without gift is like warmth without light.” Walter Scott
In the debate about the development of skills and gifts, a central question emerges: are people born with natural gifts, or is it stimulation, environment, and effort that create the facility to develop skills?
The discussion dates back to ancient Greece. Plato, in his theory of innateness, suggests that certain knowledge is inherent in the mind from birth. Plato discussed this idea in his work "Meno," in which he argues that knowledge is remembered from previous experiences of the soul.
In contrast, John Locke's environmentalist view believes that most human knowledge and behavior is shaped by the environment and experience. According to the English philosopher, the human mind is a tabula rasa, a blank slate, on which nothing is written. Thus, all knowledge comes from sensory experience, observation, and interaction with the surrounding environment, with an emphasis on education, culture, society, and the environment in general. This theory emphasizes the collective responsibility to create environments that promote well-being and human development.
Research in the field of behavioral genetics has identified genes that can influence traits such as intelligence, personality, and specific skills. Thus, as empirical data has emerged, mainly from studies comparing pairs of monozygotic (genetically identical) twins with dizygotic twins, it has become clearer that both factors are important for skill improvement.
We still needed to know the weight of each one.
Not anymore. In 2015, Nature Genetics published a robust study that evaluated thousands of twin studies involving approximately 15 million pairs of siblings and concluded that genetics and environment are equally important. More precisely, 49% for genetics and 51% for environment. The bad news for those who argue that the environment has a greater influence is that the factors over which we have some control, such as city, school, diet, and parental attitudes, do not seem to play a very important role.
Apparently, what is much more relevant is the non-shared environment, which includes everything from elements of intrauterine life to the forces of chance.
This conclusion seems to hold true. The brilliant Mozart, one of the most prodigious musicians in history, received musical stimulation from an early age. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a talented musician and teacher who provided his son with early musical education, helping to develop his exceptional musical talent.
Thomas Edison, the inventor of the incandescent light bulb, was known for his intelligence and curiosity from childhood. His mother encouraged him to explore new experiences by providing a stimulating environment that led to innovation.
From the world of sports, we can mention Usain Bolt, a Jamaican sprinter known for his favorable genetics, including a high proportion of fast muscle fibers which, combined with rigorous training from a young age, made the Jamaican one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Or Michael Phelps, an American swimmer who, due to genetic factors, has a larger than average wingspan and exceptional lung capacity. His natural talent for swimming was enhanced by years of intensive training and family support, which led him to become the greatest Olympic medalist of all time.
Some excessive Flamengo fans claim that Zico, the greatest Brazilian player after Pelé, is the perfect combination of talent and effort. These friends are exaggerating. Zico does not fit this definition. The study compares only mortals, and since he is the reincarnation of Apollo, the Greek god of perfection and the arts, it would not be correct to mention him in this context.
In my academic and professional life, I have encountered truly talented people. They have achieved professional success on a larger or smaller scale. Some of them, unfortunately, combined talent and effort to harm others. I hope that the environment can influence them to become better people.
As the popular saying goes, "natural talent is the seed, the environment is the soil; only when the seed finds the right soil can it blossom in all its splendor."
So, for those who are lazy and credit the success of others solely to natural talent, rest assured that you may not be a genius, but you can compensate for unfavorable genetics with effort, the right environment, and adequate stimulation. Failure remains a characteristic of those who are not very resilient.
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