Genius is just hard work?

David Brooks, writes as follows in the New York Times on Genius: The Modern View:

"Some people live in romantic ages. They tend to believe that genius is the product of a divine spark. They believe that there have been, throughout the ages, certain paragons of greatness — Dante, Mozart, Einstein — whose talents far exceeded normal comprehension, who had an other-worldly access to transcendent truth, and who are best approached with reverential awe."

but,

The latest research suggests a more prosaic, democratic, even puritanical view of the world. The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not a divine spark. It’s not I.Q., a generally bad predictor of success, even in realms like chess. Instead, it’s deliberate practice. Top performers spend more hours (many more hours) rigorously practicing their craft.

Interesting, but hardly new. I haven't had time to check out the science, but his commenters mostly disagree.

It is certainly encouraging to the aspiring expert in any field to have this positive message: "Work hard and diligently enough and you will get there". Some commenters to Brooks article distinguish between being successful and being a genius in a particular field. That, I think, sums it up. I have in many fields of achievement seen the difference between "naturals" and "ordinary's" who are just prepared to work hard. There is just no way someone with ordinary talent will reach the same heights as a natural who will work as diligently. That should not discourage those of ordinary talent. They can still end up pretty good, and that is good enough for most of us.

Now to look at the science when I get the time!