We at MAMMAKAZE are forever fascinated by the NATURE vs. NUTURE debate.  And we have run across an example worth examination.

Okay. Check out this 23 month-old pool shark! I mean, the KID can sink shots like Minnesota Fats or Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in THE COLOR OF MONEY.

His folks say he plays 2 to 3 hours a day. Now his entire family are pool players. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. AND his mom and dad met in a pool hall. So some might say he was DESTINED to play pool.

But the question is – where does this talent come from?  Does he have this ability because his parents have nurtured it in him since he was born because THEY both love playing pool? Or does he have an innate talent that was gentically handed down from TWO SIDES of the family each of whom have it and PUT TOGETHER have created this child with amazing talents.

Personally, I am a believer that true genius and talent requires the ultimate alignment of stars to achieve its potential. A genetic predisposition which meets with encouragement and opportunity…and a personality confident enough to pursue that talent. Though true talent/genius is rare, I believe that sadly, in the course of humankind, there have been thousands of Mozarts who unfortunately took their talents to the grave with them because they were not born into a home that offered them the opportunities to develop that talent.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? NATURE? NURTURE? BOTH?

And if YOU had a kid with such a talent, would you nurture and encourage it, or take away the billiards cue and hand them a doctor bag instead?