[watwut]

That is not true. Kids who develop abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected don't necessary follow obsessions. Their brains often simply develop a bit faster then brains of other kids, hence sooner abilities and inclinations.

It does not mean they will end up more skilled in adulthood nor that they are necessary obsessed types.

Conversely, obsessed personality types are not always that much better then others if their obsession is not channeled in an effective way. The obsession is not necessary combined with larger talent or effective learning methods.

[trukterious]

Well I'm not talking about obsession in the sense of a mental disorder -- but in the sense of that one thing X that a particular person happens to be in love with at the moment (could be piano, could be tennis, could be computer programming or could be something socially disapproved of like pokemon or skateboarding or whatever). The obsession creates a depth of knowledge. Even when you try to make such people do other stuff, they'll still be daydreaming about X. So better to work with it.

[watwut]

Obsession creates time spent by topical activity. If does not create depth of knowledge unless channeled right. Kid won't go far in piano or tennis or math unless having good teacher no matter how obssesed. All those fields are too competitive for that.

> Even when you try to make such people do other stuff, they'll still be daydreaming about X. So better to work with it.

That is point where it is approaching mental problem. Most kids, evenovanej those with strong hobbies are fully able to learn other things too.

Also, the competition winning programmers among my peers had wide knowledge in non coding areas. Then again, our environment and camps encouraged that sort of thing.