[pizzle223]

Wasn't 100% sure where to post this.

Can anybody learn anything if they put there mind to it?

Personally i'd like to believe we all can but I have my doubts in some people. Although it is hard to tell whether these people are physically incapable of learning some things or whether they just take no interest in learning at all.

[evening sunrise]

Taking your question at face value the answer is no.

But really you need to define what you mean by learn.

i.e.)

Grasp the basics or
become proficient or
become an expert or
be the best there is, ever was, ever will be
and all the various intermediate points in between.

[pizzle223]

(Original post by evening sunrise)
Taking your question at face value the answer is no.

But really you need to define what you mean by learn.

i.e.)

Grasp the basics or
become proficient or
become an expert or
be the best there is, ever was, ever will be
and all the various intermediate points in between.

Well lets say learn a subject to a university degree level.

[evening sunrise]

(Original post by pizzle223)
Well lets say learn a subject to a university degree level.

Answer remains no then.

There are folks who would never get a Degree in Maths, even 3rd class. I would never get a degree in music or fine art either. (Does not mean I couldn't fill the Tate with a pile of bricks though )

[hcam]

Now with the Internet, knowledge is at our fingertips. I say why not?

[pizzle223]

But why couldn't you get a degree in fine art or music? what would stop you?

I think a turd could easily make it into the Tate Modern.

[Sagacious]

In a set time-period no (hence why people fail exams). If given infinite time, yes.

The content isn't the biggest obstacle. Time is.

[somethingbeautiful]

If you like it and have a talent for it - yes. If you have no talent for it and despise it - no.

[cambio wechsel]

(Original post by pizzle223)
But why couldn't you get a degree in...music? what would stop you?

presumably an utter lack of musical ability. It's what would stop me.

[najinaji]

(Original post by Sagacious)
In a set time-period no (hence why people fail exams). If given infinite time, yes.

The content isn't the biggest obstacle. Time is.

I find this to be a comforting thought. The idea that one could be given around 70-80 years (sometimes less, sometimes more) to learn everything they want to isn't too bad.

[justmyopinions]

Lol. Good luck if you attempt Hungarian.

[evening sunrise]

(Original post by hcam)
Now with the Internet, knowledge is at our fingertips. I say why not?

What has knowledge to do with talent and aptitude such as that required for music, art, chess and mathematics etc etc ? That is the problem, knowledge is confused with ability. One can argue, with some justification, that knowledge is only the ability to recall the output of someone else's talent and ability.

The infinite amount time argument is an interesting one but with many consequences as invoking the concept of infinity (in all its various forms) raises lots of issues and knocks lots of dominoes over.

One could if equipped with a very large memory and a large amount of time, and a perfect information retrieval mechanism within the brain, memorise all 10 ** 40 positions that can arise within a 40 move game of chess, the estimate for a non move limited game being around 10**112. (Those of you into astrophysics etc will know just what big numbers those are.) And this would position you well to perform quite well.

If anyone thinks that absolutely anyone can, with sufficient practice, training, and practicable level memorisation become a master strength chess player (probably more demanding than undergraduate status I admit in terms of percentage of population achieving), never mind an International Master or Grandmaster or Super class Grandmaster, then next time you get the opportunity, take the other coloured pill......

But three things are true.

a) Everybody can improve towards their maximum potential in a given field. The maximum may however be quite low in certain fields for certain individuals, whilst very high in other fields. However reaching that maximum, high or low, is an achievement not to sniffed at and of great personal merit.

b) There has been a lot of money made and there is a lot still to be made selling the idea that anyone can be anything they want. Books are published, and famous people make their presentations, usually to employees of companies.

c) If the premise of this thread is true (discounting flights of fancy into infinte time limits) then the consequences for graduate and even post graduate status are "interesting" and further analysis along the lines of reductio ad absurdum reveals some "innovative" solutions to government expenditure levels.

[evening sunrise]

(Original post by cambio wechsel)
presumably an utter lack of musical ability. It's what would stop me.

Exactly.


What is scary is the fact the question was asked, and you needed to clarify it, so thanks for that.

[pizzle223]

(Original post by evening sunrise)
Exactly.


What is scary is the fact the question was asked, and you needed to clarify it, so thanks for that.

Why is my asking of that question scary?

I'll admit I'm not the brightest of sparks.. but what would stop this person improving their musical ability? If you put enough effort in why couldn't you?