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Old Jun 29 2008, 11:25 AM
Seraphim Seraphim is offline

Intermediate Composer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EldKatt View Post
All this seems to be assuming that "genius" is a term with a clear definition, whereas I see it as fuzzy enough to border on meaningless. Since you seem to be approaching this in a rather scientific manner, would you mind providing a clear definition of what exactly "genius" means to you?
From the Oxford English Dictionary

AskOxford: genius

genius

/jeeniss/

• noun (pl. geniuses) 1 exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability. 2 an exceptionally intelligent or able person.

The reality is that some people are simply better at certain things than others. Some people can hit a 95mph fast ball. Most people, no matter how much training they have, will not be able to hit one that's faster than 85mph. Hitting a 95mph fastball requires superior ability (not all if it mental) in more than one area. It's not just reflexes (actually, reflexes only play a small part in it), but visual processing that includes spatial tracking and projecting future relative position in time and space, physical coordination (again, related to a certain type of brain power), and of course, the muscle speed and appropriate tendon elasticity required to accelerate the bat. In fact, there's more involved but this is hardly the time or place for a dissertation on the subject and I think this sufficiently conveys the gist of it.