Is there any science behind "talent"?

Body parts are nice wrote:

There is nothing obvious about why a greyhound would outsprint a basset hound. Why do you think it's obvious? Why can't a basset hound be faster?

OK, what point are you trying to make here? You know as well as we do that greyhounds are very fast and basset hounds are not. I am sure all breeds of dog have been speed tested at some point, and we could go find that data, which will tell us that greyhounds can reach top speeds of 45 mph and basset hounds whatever they can reach, 15 mph, 20 mph, whatever. But you don't want to leave it at that, you want to question our base assumptions or something, presumably to make some kind of point. So why don't you just come out and say it.

"Why can't a basset hound be faster?"

Because basset hounds do NOT believe in themselves. Everybody knows this. You don't?

Body parts are nice wrote:

There is nothing obvious about why a greyhound would outsprint a basset hound. Why do you think it's obvious?

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

The brain should be included in any assessment of talent. Its a lump of grey matter containing billions of nerve cells.

Essentially your character, emotions, desire, mental aptitude and hunger for success are just as physiological as your percentage of fast-twitch muscle cells.

Whats Talent? wrote:

What does it mean when we describe some runner as "talented"?

Is talent a combination of physical characteristics/mindsets/ a product of a life of training? Can one train in a way to reveal their "talent"?

"Talent" in the context of running is the sum of all the physical and mental characteristics that comprise running performance that are genetically determined. Talent sets the upper limit on how fast you can be, while fitness acquired through training determines your achievement within the range of what is possible to you. While there may be no limit on how out of shape you can get, genetics firmly establishes an upper limit on running ability.

But nobody has ever reached that firmly established upper limit.

BRG/253 wrote:

"Talent" in the context of running is the sum of all the physical and mental characteristics that comprise running performance that are genetically determined. Talent sets the upper limit on how fast you can be, while fitness acquired through training determines your achievement within the range of what is possible to you. While there may be no limit on how out of shape you can get, genetics firmly establishes an upper limit on running ability.

Aghast wrote:

But nobody has ever reached that firmly established upper limit.

BRG/253 wrote:

"Talent" in the context of running is the sum of all the physical and mental characteristics that comprise running performance that are genetically determined. Talent sets the upper limit on how fast you can be, while fitness acquired through training determines your achievement within the range of what is possible to you. While there may be no limit on how out of shape you can get, genetics firmly establishes an upper limit on running ability.

no one knows that there is a limit

nor that genes limit possibilities from individual to individual

nor do any of us know which supposed genes we have

it's meaningless so just get out there and train!

Aghast wrote:

But nobody has ever reached that firmly established upper limit.

Many runners approach their genetic limit. Many runners reach the point in their training where even small improvements become painstakingly hard to achieve. That is their genetic ceiling at work.

BRG/253 wrote:

Aghast wrote:

But nobody has ever reached that firmly established upper limit.

Many runners approach their genetic limit. Many runners reach the point in their training where even small improvements become painstakingly hard to achieve. That is their genetic ceiling at work.

You obviously don't understand things like "THE GIFT", oh, you poor ignorant wretch you. Limits. We runners live without limits. We are supramortal heros of unfathomable depths. Such shallow things as limits! The horror.

BRG/253 wrote:

Aghast wrote:

But nobody has ever reached that firmly established upper limit.

Many runners approach their genetic limit. Many runners reach the point in their training where even small improvements become painstakingly hard to achieve. That is their genetic ceiling at work.

how do you know that?

body parts are nice wrote:

how do you know that?

Because I'm a realist and I understand that no amount of emotion or will power can ever overcome the laws of nature.

BRG/253 wrote:

body parts are nice wrote:

how do you know that?

Because I'm a realist and I understand that no amount of emotion or will power can ever overcome the laws of nature.

i didn't say it had anything to do with emotion or will power. exactly what laws of nature are you talking about?

I was also dumb enough, at one point in my life, to think that I could be world-class if only I proved to the running gods that I deserved it enough. Long story short, I had a very frustrating and unhappy high school career due to not being able to achieve the success I wanted. A big part of the reason that happened is that I was naive enough to listen to people like Steve Prefontaine and others who insist that you can do anything if you just try hard enough. You can't, and recognizing that is rationality, not complacency.

BRG/253 wrote:

I was also dumb enough, at one point in my life, to think that I could be world-class if only I proved to the running gods that I deserved it enough. Long story short, I had a very frustrating and unhappy high school career due to not being able to achieve the success I wanted. A big part of the reason that happened is that I was naive enough to listen to people like Steve Prefontaine and others who insist that you can do anything if you just try hard enough. You can't, and recognizing that is rationality, not complacency.

what in the world are you talking about? you're losing me man

what in the world are you talking about? you're losing me man

Aren't you bored of trolling yet? I can only assume you are trolling because the other option is you lack the ability of basic reasoning, as well as reading comprehension.

Go away.

body parts are nice wrote:

i didn't say it had anything to do with emotion or will power. exactly what laws of nature are you talking about?

The act of running is the final result of a long, complicated chain of physiological events that begins with an electrical impulse in the brain and ends with the skeleton applying force to the ground. The structure and function of every organelle and organ involved is determined by genetics, and very little of one's biological machinery is subject to change through training. Even to the extent that the body can adapt, the adaptation process itself is controlled by genetic instructions. Those are the "laws of nature."

If you're going to steal quotes from people, at least give them credit.

foppish dude wrote:

If you're going to steal quotes from people, at least give them credit.

I'm flattered that you're so impressed that you assume I'm plagiarizing :)