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BGonline.org Forums
zen in the art of backgammon
Posted By: playBunny In Response To: zen in the art of backgammon (Matt Cohn-Geier)
Date: Friday, 28 August 2009, at 7:56 p.m.
It's not that useful a question because the answer is both.
Genetic potential is inherited, living up to it is acquired. For any variable attribute or quality that makes up a human being, there will be a range in which that person is most likely to fall. Height is an obvious one. With the best nurturance that you could possibly have you can only reach the maximum defined by your genes. With poor nutrition your growth can be hindered and cause you to fail to reach that height.
Running ability is another example. You can't be both a champion marathon runner and a champion sprinter. Each needs specific systems within the body to be tuned to the needs of that sport; the right muscle fibres, the right energy storage and delivery systems, even, in some ways, the right mentality.
The same occurs in the brain, both for personality and performance. Some people are wired to be shy and introverted, others are wired to be extraverted. Some people have brains that work quickly while others have slower brains. Some people are stronger in auditory processing and others in visual. Some have finer motor control; their opposites are the clumsy ones. The number of systems and mechanisms in the brain which can differ genetically between people has hardly begun to be catalogued.
Whatever your endowment is, physical or mental, you can train it - but only within limits. Whatever makes a top backgammon player, you need someone who has the innate capability of being able to train their mind and body to that level.
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