[TechBro8615]

While upbringing ("nurture") is clearly a critical component to success in any specialized field, there is undeniably a "nature" component as well, and I doubt that the best nurture could overcome lack of natural talent anymore than natural talent could overcome lack of nurture. To be the best you need a lot of both.

It's more obvious in athletics, where there is clearly natural talent, but the equalizer is the support network of parents funding practice, driving to games, getting into competitive leagues, etc. I don't see why the same wouldn't apply to intellectual talents as well, even if the differences in natural talent are less obvious than in athletics.