I have had several heated discussions with friends this weekend about whether there is a limit to human potential or not. Basically, my friends argue that, for instance, any 5'10" adult male, who dedicated himself to basketball from the age of 12 on, could play basketball at an NBA level. My position is that for most people, no matter how much they train, no matter how much they dedicate themselves, no matter how intense their desire, they could not compete at an elite level. If I work at it, I could maximize my physical potential, but someone else's maximum potential would be greater than mine. I think this applies to other things, such as singing, drawing, etc. I can improve my singing, but a top opera singer was born with an ability that I will never be able to match.

Am I way off base here? With enough dedication and desire, can everyone achieve the same maximum, or are there innate physical limitations?

Peace.

Obviously certain physical make-ups are better suited for specific sports or activities. If you have a naturally small build, you obviously are not as well suited to play hockey or football at an elite level than someone with a larger build. I think more interesting is the question on maximum intelligence.

Maximum human potential? GEORGE W. BUSH!!! :p

I believe the human mind can absorb information and become an expert in any field they find interesting.(some of us are handicapped and that slows some down) But pro sports requires more than will power as most college jocks want to play pro sports and most fail.

With enough dedication and desire, can everyone achieve the same maximum, or are there innate physical limitations?

Does an Olympic long distance runner, for example, wake up the morning of the big race and decide that he will place last, even though that is what will most likely happen due to his innate physical limitations?

Or will he *think* GOLD?

There are over 6 billion of us. Everyone will try but there will always be one Bill Gates, One $9 Trillion country, One Einstein, one Mozart, one Robin Williams, one Babylon5....and so on. There will be always distant seconds, thirds, fourths.....