I think we've debunked the myth of talent. It doesn't appear that there's anything like a music gene or center in the brain that Stevie Wonder has that nobody else has.
Interpretation
Talent is often seen as an innate ability, but this quote suggests it can be developed through effort and practice instead.
Daniel Levitin’s quote challenges the common belief that extraordinary talent in music is a natural gift conferred at birth. He argues that there is no 'music gene' that sets apart individuals like Stevie Wonder from the rest of us; instead, it is the dedication, practice, and experiences that shape one’s musical abilities. This perspective emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance over the idea of fixed, innate talent.
In practice
During a motivational speech about achieving one's dreams, this quote can help emphasize that hard work triumphs over innate talent.
As soon as you hear a proposition, the creative brain in humans assumes for the moment that it's true, and starts trying to find evidence. It's what computer scientists in the old days used to call 'Fifo:' first in, first out. The first piece of information that gets in has a privileged position, even if it's misinformation.
What music is better able to do than language is to represent the complexity of human emotional states.
Information overload refers to the notion that we're trying to take in more than the brain can handle.
That walk around the block, that fresh air, is going to help you work more quickly and effectively when you get back.
There are a lot of books about how to get organized and a lot of books about how to be better and more productive at business, but I don't know of one that grounds any of these in the science.
There's an ancient connection between movement and music. Most languages don't make a distinction between the words 'music' and 'dance.' And we can see that in the brain. When people are lying perfectly still but listening to music, the neurons in the motor cortex are firing.
A voice cannot carry the tongue and the lips that gave it wings. Alone must it seek the ether. And alone and without his nest shall the eagle fly across the sun.
So with each advance in understanding come new questions. So we need to be very humble. We shouldn’t have hubris and think that we can understand everything. But history tells us that there is good reason to believe that we will continue making fantastic progress in the years ahead.
Look wise, say nothing, and grunt. Speech was given to conceal thought.
Transforma as tuas feridas em sabedoria!
He who has made it a practice to lie and deceive his father, will be the most daring in deceiving others.
No one is perfect. Your ERA is not zero. You're not going to have 30 wins. And your batting average isn't going to be 1.000. So you don't have the right to verbally talk out about somebody. Look at yourself. Did you do everything you could do? Did you start your day off right? Are you perfect?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.