[dudul]

It is undeniable that high performing athletes, artists, etc put in a lot of work, but I don't think it is incompatible with the word "gifted".

When you enter college at 12 it is beyond a "slight genetic advantage" IMO.

And it's not just genetic. A gifted kids was given the gift of having parents who care, who put in the work and who have the means to put in the work.

I don't know, I think both things (predisposition and hard work) can be accepted as true.

[from-nibly]

Yep you have to have both. I think thats where the early to ripe, early to rot misconception comes from. If you think a kid is a genius just cause they are a little ahead for and just assums they will figure everything else out, then yeah the kid will likely not achieve much.