• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 07:58
CEST 13:58
KST 20:58
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Season 1 - Final Week2[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0
Community News
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation14$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced6Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles6[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China9Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL67
StarCraft 2
General
RSL Season 1 - Final Week Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation TL Team Map Contest #4: Winners Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL [G] Progamer Settings ASL20 Preliminary Maps
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET CSL Xiamen International Invitational
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Positive Thoughts on Setting Up a Dual-Caliber FX
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Russo-Ukrainian War Thread
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Men Take Risks, Women Win Ga…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 634 users

On Being an Expert at Nothing

Blogs > TheGloob
Post a Reply
TheGloob
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
97 Posts
July 15 2014 23:34 GMT
#1
I want to preface this by saying I'm not complaining or unhappy with who I am, just comparing two types of people.

I am an expert at nothing. I am 18 years old and have not accomplished much; I like to think that I am exceptionally above average, but nothing more. Sure, I have a lot of time to refine what I know and improve, but it's amazing what some have already done before even reaching 18.

There are Starcraft Grandmasters who are extremely young, Maru is just 16 years old and has played in Code S. There are little kids all over YouTube who are better at guitar or singing than I'll ever be. There are high school athletes in much better shape than I am.

Sure, I can do more pullups than an average American, I'm better at Starcraft than most of the people who ever decide to ladder, and I'm fairly skilled at bass guitar and guitar, but clearly I'm nowhere near the top of any of these. You could say I'm a jack-of-many-trades (I don't think anyone is a jack-of-ALL-trades), and I'd agree, but would I rather be someone like Maru? I'm not sure.

I wish I had something that was my thing; something I could say I'm really good at, maybe even the best at. What would it cost? How much would I have to sacrifice to be there? Quite a lot I imagine. It's just not who I am. I'm not a mathematical prodigy or the next Noam Chomsky, but can I still be someone? Can I still hold the spotlight even without mastery of anything or will I always be in the background of some other production?

Would I sacrifice everything to find out if I can be the next Terran God like Maru or a bass genius like Victor Wooten? No. I wouldn't give up Starcraft or music or my physical health to find out about any of these, but I'll always wonder.

I love who I am and I'm glad I do the things I do, but I always want to be better at everything (pessimistically worded, I'm never good enough at anything). Maybe no one is ever satisfied with their progress in anything? But I'm sure the superstars we look up to must realize their own expertise, even if they are humble. I may never understand anything like Mr. Wooten understands music and I may never be able do anything as well as Maru plays Starcraft, but I think that might be okay. I hope it is.

***
ThomasjServo
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
15244 Posts
July 15 2014 23:40 GMT
#2
They say it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at just about anything. No time to start like 18.
PassionFruit
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
294 Posts
July 16 2014 00:12 GMT
#3
You've got to put in the hours to see if you can make it. The top of every class stand on mountains of mediocre people who either didn't have the talent, skill, perseverance, luck, etc.. Everyone says stuff like, "I could do it if I just tried." Right. You won't know until you actually give it your all, and it is a sacrifice.

And I feel it's better to try and fail, then to never try at all. Otherwise, you just fail be default.
Djzapz
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada10681 Posts
July 16 2014 00:28 GMT
#4
I just started becoming an expert at something and I'm 25.

Yet I live in constant fear
http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-today-the-day-they-find-out-youre-a-fraud,35133/
"My incompetence with power tools had been increasing exponentially over the course of 20 years spent inhaling experimental oven cleaners"
Battleaxe
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States843 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-07-16 00:51:05
July 16 2014 00:50 GMT
#5
There's a reason the expression is, "Jack of all trades, master of none". Most people leave the latter part of the phrase off to make it sound more accomplished, but the reality is still the same. If you're not unhappy, then own who you are. Just going with the term jack of many trades indicates to me that you may not be as happy as you think or are way too literal in your assessment.

As far as if you can do enough or be good enough at something to get noticed without being a master, the answer in this day and age is yes. In the age of social media, 24 hour news cycles, and a generation of kids raised on reality tv and instant celebrity, talent will sustain your ability to be noticed, but it doesn't require the talent to get noticed in the first place.
Without a community, we're all just a bunch of geeks.
Artisian
Profile Joined October 2010
United States115 Posts
July 16 2014 05:33 GMT
#6
On July 16 2014 08:40 ThomasjServo wrote:
They say it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at just about anything. No time to start like 18.


just because it's an awesome video:


He does a fair bit on the whole 10k hours thing, and it's definitely true that it takes a huge dedication to master things, but you can still do a lot with so much less investment. And I think it's really interesting to ask: is it better to be perfect in 1 thing, or good in 500?
Supply is a conspiracy against me...
Gowerly
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United Kingdom916 Posts
July 16 2014 07:58 GMT
#7
I'd go with both.
Know something about everything and everything about something.
I will reduce you to a series of numbers.
ninazerg
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States7291 Posts
July 16 2014 08:04 GMT
#8
I am already the best at everything, hands down, so I don't even try anymore.
"If two pregnant women get into a fist fight, it's like a mecha-battle between two unborn babies." - Fyodor Dostoevsky
SoSexy
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Italy3725 Posts
July 16 2014 08:40 GMT
#9
I feel you bro. I notice this thing when I watch football matches and the commentators go like 'it's a 1994 boy' and I'm like 'dude I'm from 1989 and sitting on my couch while that guy is playing the world cup'. Nonetheless I'm pretty good at many things - philosophy, guitar, singing, drums...but still haven't got that 'I'm unique' feel. Keep going!!!!





On July 16 2014 17:04 ninazerg wrote:
I am already the best at everything, hands down, so I don't even try anymore.



Oh, Nina...
Dating thread on TL LUL
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
Last Edited: 2014-07-16 10:41:16
July 16 2014 10:15 GMT
#10
On July 16 2014 09:28 Djzapz wrote:
I just started becoming an expert at something and I'm 25.

Yet I live in constant fear
http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-today-the-day-they-find-out-youre-a-fraud,35133/

I was worried I was the only one. Phew



On July 16 2014 17:04 ninazerg wrote:
I am already the best at everything, hands down, so I don't even try anymore.

Haha you're so funny Nina. At least until snorlax says otherwise.



HOLY FUCK. Listening to the ted talk. 10,000 hours is a lot of time. To put this into perspective there is not a single account in league of legends where a person has played for 10,000 hours. None. The game's not been out long enough unless that person played it as a full time job since beta. Think of how good these people are. How good fucking all the SC2 pros like Maru are. They don't meet the expert rule of 10,000 hours.
http://wastedonlol.com/na-obesechicken13/

Why the fuck do people keep using that number? It just makes us feel bad that we haven't accomplished that many hours. You need to spend time to get good at something but 10,000 hours is a lifetime for a hobby. Piece of shit social scientists. I feel pretty good about how I played certain games and I only have 750 hours. Guess I suck. Listening to the rest of the ted talk. I guess it wasn't the researchers' fault. The ted talk speaker makes the same mistake of trying to assign a number to how long it takes to get good at something though. That's a quantitative answer to a qualitative query whose answer depends on the person and the task.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
FuRong
Profile Joined April 2010
New Zealand3089 Posts
July 16 2014 11:29 GMT
#11
10,000 hours is supposed to be a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. The idea was popularised by Malcolm Gladwell, and is based on studies that found that a lot of people who are really successful in their fields had the opportunity to put in really long hours at a relatively young age.

Obviously there are exceptions, and obviously there are other limitations which stop people from achieving mastery. Also, not everyone needs to master everything, there are plenty of people who are happy being above average or "really good" in whatever they choose to do.

Don't hate the player, hate the game
TheGloob
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
97 Posts
July 16 2014 16:00 GMT
#12
On July 16 2014 16:58 Gowerly wrote:
I'd go with both.
Know something about everything and everything about something.


Wow. This. Yeah man I totally feel this. I think this is actually my goal, like what I was trying to figure out. I guess I don't have to choose all or nothing but instead both. Such a simple answer but it's provided a lot of insight Thanks a lot! I guess the new question is, what DO I want to master?
TheGloob
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
97 Posts
July 16 2014 16:01 GMT
#13
On July 16 2014 17:04 ninazerg wrote:
I am already the best at everything, hands down, so I don't even try anymore.


Yes. Yes you are. <3
Passion
Profile Joined December 2003
Netherlands1486 Posts
July 16 2014 19:38 GMT
#14
Is there anyone who takes this 10000 hour stuff seriously? Plain sad.
mewithoutDrew
Profile Blog Joined April 2014
Canada56 Posts
July 18 2014 21:24 GMT
#15
I'm surprised that no one in these comments reflected on the idea that, perhaps, being good at something isn't the most important thing in life.

You're 18 years old, and you're in an amazing time in your life where you're maturing to an age of freedom and personal growth. I strongly believe that you should change your mentality from being good at something to being good at people.

The most important, and long lasting "things" in life are relationships. I believe that our society promotes a very imbalanced (and dangerous) idea that we all need to be special - hence your longing to be like Maru. What really makes you special is that you're the only you. The only you can be good any many things, you could even be the master of 1 thing over every other human on the earth... but still that would not hold as much value as YOU do. Eventually another human would come along and take your spot as the master of that thing, but they can never take your spot as YOU.

Therefore, the best and most important thing you can offer the world, others and yourself is simply YOU.

Have you attended many funerals? Have you talked to a lot of parents who are expecting a child? In both cases. people do not talk about what their kid or what the deceased person were good at - yeah this might be speculated or reminisced about, but it's not the primary topic. They often speak primarily about the persons character and qualities that were intrinsic to their person hood.

Furthermore, your friends will cherish you because what you offer them, because you are unique even in a crowd of faces. One day a woman (or a man) will fall in love with you because you are unique and they will love you for simply that.

I'm 29 years old, and I'd say I am good at a lot of things in my life and hobbies, but the one thing I am always trying to do is simply offer myself to my family, friends and community - and lastly myself. If I can give you any advice it would be to find value simply in yourself and learn how to share your true self with people around you. Yes, our activities are worth valuing and it is good to be an expert or gain expertise, but this should come secondary to relationships.
"That's it, back to Winnipeg!"
EJK
Profile Blog Joined September 2013
United States1302 Posts
July 19 2014 00:19 GMT
#16
" I like to think that I am exceptionally above average, but nothing more."


most exceptionally above average people dont really accomplish anything by 18
Sc2 Terran Coach, top 16GM NA - interested in coaching? Message me on teamliquid!
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
RSL Revival
10:00
Season 1: Playoffs Day 5
Clem vs ReynorLIVE!
Crank 1389
Tasteless1083
ComeBackTV 1004
IndyStarCraft 161
Rex131
3DClanTV 91
IntoTheiNu 59
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Crank 1389
Tasteless 1083
RotterdaM 199
IndyStarCraft 161
Rex 131
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 25504
Sea 22316
Rain 5421
Bisu 2840
Jaedong 1050
Hyuk 779
Pusan 640
Light 583
firebathero 457
Mini 404
[ Show more ]
Zeus 355
actioN 302
Stork 283
EffOrt 226
Backho 172
Soulkey 162
Hyun 153
ToSsGirL 138
hero 83
Mind 62
Snow 56
JYJ38
sSak 33
Shinee 30
Aegong 28
Rush 28
Sea.KH 27
JulyZerg 25
Sacsri 23
sas.Sziky 22
Sharp 21
Icarus 19
Noble 15
yabsab 14
Free 14
sorry 13
ajuk12(nOOB) 11
Hm[arnc] 10
Movie 8
SilentControl 7
IntoTheRainbow 7
ivOry 3
Dota 2
Gorgc7385
XaKoH 591
XcaliburYe416
League of Legends
singsing1785
Counter-Strike
x6flipin544
allub295
flusha277
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor130
Other Games
tarik_tv27030
B2W.Neo996
shahzam623
crisheroes506
DeMusliM450
Fuzer 272
Liquid`RaSZi171
Pyrionflax142
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick27934
StarCraft: Brood War
Kim Chul Min (afreeca) 314
lovetv 10
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 11 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Stunt504
Upcoming Events
OSC
1h 2m
Replay Cast
12h 2m
RSL Revival
22h 2m
Classic vs Cure
FEL
1d 4h
OSC
1d 8h
RSL Revival
1d 22h
FEL
2 days
FEL
2 days
CSO Cup
2 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
2 days
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
[ Show More ]
Sparkling Tuna Cup
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
FEL
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
6 days
The PondCast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-07-07
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
CSL Xiamen Invitational: ShowMatche
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.