Talent Co-Processors

Here's how I look at talent. Back in the early days of computers, CPU's were pretty basic. When I purchased my IBM 386 in '93 I really wanted some mathematical capability, but could not afford to purchase a unit with a math co-processor installed. Without that co-processor, no calculations were possible. That's sort of like me. I don't have a co-processor that smooths the comprehension of the symbolic language known as mathematics. Even if I hammer away at the logic for hours and hours, the gains are very small. I do not have that talent. That really doesn't bother me, but how I envy those who have a talent for music. Musical memory, tone competence, eye-mind-finger coordination, and the ability to visualize and recall notes in the setting of a composition, not to mention vocal ability. Another, very broad, talent. One of many.

It is usually assumed that we are born with these talents and cannot attain them by effort. Largely I agree with this, although there are exceptions and variations on a talent that will never find expression without hard work, long hours, and at times bitter frustration. I'm thinking here, for example, of the person with music in his soul but little physical talent or ability to express it. Then there are talents frustrated by physical limitations such as the five-ten man with a real talent for basketball. So, what about writing?

Writing is a plethoric talent, a huge wandering stream that enters many bayous, seeps into blind canyons, and pours over roaring waterfalls. One could say that the only standard that defines great writing is the bottom line - book sales. Baloney. Not in our present world. Problem is, how do you define writing? Fiction? Non-fiction? Scientific writing? What? They are all different, and in some cases dramatically so. I think the closest I can come to a definition is the ability to clearly communicate an idea, concept, thought or construct in written form.

Finally, one man's Pulitzer is another man's dumpster darling. Having been writing now for well over a decade, I can no longer bear to read some books that are big sellers. To me the writing is so bad that the story is lost. Yet they are big sellers. In some cases it's not just about a great writing co-processor at all, but about a different ability that senses public appetites and responds with whatever is demanded. Writing skill is secondary. Turn and burn. Yuck. Gosh, did I just show partiality? Yep.

Later!