How much control does one have over their destiny? Two authors David Epstein and Malcolm Gladwell have two different positions on the question. The Sports Gene, written by David Epstein shows that innate ability plays a bigger role than practice. On the other hand, Outliers: The story of Success, written by Malcolm Gladwell shows his audience that preparation has a bigger role over innate talent. Overall, Gladwell provides stronger evidence than Epstein to support the claim about how much control one has in life by showing that preparation can control one's destiny.
In, The Sports Gene, Epstein shows how genes may have had an impact on two high-jumper's talents. "Thomas's long legs relative to his height and also that he was gifted with a giant's Achilles tendon" (Epstein 15). Epstein shows that Thomas may have an advantage over other high-jumpers that practice a lot because of his gifted Achilles tendon. Also, …show more content…
He does this by using a researcher's study and comparing talent to success. The author states, "All of the violinists were then asked the same question: over the course of your entire career, ever since you first picked up the violin, how many hours have you practiced?"(Gladwell 2). This supports the claim because it shows how hours of practice controlled by one can led to success. Also, Gladwell states, "The idea that excellence at preforming a complex task requires a critical minimum level of practice surfaces again and again in studies of expertise" (Gladwell 6). To further support the claim Gladwell states, "In fact, researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number to true expertise: ten thousand hours" (Gladwell 6). This supports the claim because it shows how many hours of practice it takes to become an expert in a task. Furthermore, Gladwell supports the claim by showing how practice controlled by one can led to
In, The Sports Gene, Epstein shows how genes may have had an impact on two high-jumper's talents. "Thomas's long legs relative to his height and also that he was gifted with a giant's Achilles tendon" (Epstein 15). Epstein shows that Thomas may have an advantage over other high-jumpers that practice a lot because of his gifted Achilles tendon. Also, …show more content…
He does this by using a researcher's study and comparing talent to success. The author states, "All of the violinists were then asked the same question: over the course of your entire career, ever since you first picked up the violin, how many hours have you practiced?"(Gladwell 2). This supports the claim because it shows how hours of practice controlled by one can led to success. Also, Gladwell states, "The idea that excellence at preforming a complex task requires a critical minimum level of practice surfaces again and again in studies of expertise" (Gladwell 6). To further support the claim Gladwell states, "In fact, researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number to true expertise: ten thousand hours" (Gladwell 6). This supports the claim because it shows how many hours of practice it takes to become an expert in a task. Furthermore, Gladwell supports the claim by showing how practice controlled by one can led to