http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/economics-and-demography/the-grinch-who-stole-talent/ European Opinion Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:52:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/economics-and-demography/the-grinch-who-stole-talent/#comment-18097 chris Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:31:43 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/afem/political-issues/the-grinch-who-stole-talent#comment-18097 I agree with much of this. You're right that choice means cost, and one cost is not developing all our talents - this is why I made the peculiarly capitalist effect upon talent a mere tertiary point. You're also right that my view of talent is crude. But that's because I was taking Brown's view uncritically, for the sake of argument. I also agree that a market economy allows for human development in all sorts of ways, and it is perhaps increasingly doing so. But this is entirely consistent with the fact that an economy cannot develop all our talents maximally. I guess my experience differs from your's. I've found - in my blog and day job - that when I've tried to challenge myself, doing what I thought was a great job, it's gone done relatively badly. But when I've done stuff well within my capacities - what I've thought routine - people have often appreciated it more. I agree with much of this.
You’re right that choice means cost, and one cost is not developing all our talents - this is why I made the peculiarly capitalist effect upon talent a mere tertiary point.
You’re also right that my view of talent is crude. But that’s because I was taking Brown’s view uncritically, for the sake of argument.
I also agree that a market economy allows for human development in all sorts of ways, and it is perhaps increasingly doing so. But this is entirely consistent with the fact that an economy cannot develop all our talents maximally.
I guess my experience differs from your’s. I’ve found - in my blog and day job - that when I’ve tried to challenge myself, doing what I thought was a great job, it’s gone done relatively badly. But when I’ve done stuff well within my capacities - what I’ve thought routine - people have often appreciated it more.

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