[hitonagashi]

This viewpoint always annoys me. It's great to think that work is all there is to it, but that's not true.

You can become great at anything with practice, I do believe that.

What I don't believe is that there's no such thing as talent. Take chess. You really think Magnus Carlsen has practiced less in his life than Anand? Practice is necessary to become great. Talent is necessary to become the best.

[andyidsinga]

good points - but haven't many of the "best" chess players beaten each other at different points? This suggests that there is no best - but best at a point in time - which suggests that practice and passion are what it is ;)

[j_baker]

What annoys me most isn't the idea that anyone can do anything if they try hard enough. It's the corollary to it: if someone isn't successful, then they just aren't trying hard enough. People tend to underestimate the impact that outside influences can have.