Final answer:
In 'The First 20 Hours,' Josh Kaufman argues that basic proficiency in a new skill can be achieved in just 20 hours of deliberate practice, contradicting the ideas presented in 'Outliers' and 'The Sports Gene.'
Step-by-step explanation:
In 'Outliers,' author Malcolm Gladwell argues that success is not solely determined by individual talent, but rather by a combination of factors including opportunity and deliberate practice. Gladwell discusses the concept of the '10,000-hour rule,' which suggests that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to achieve expertise in a particular field. This idea is further supported by 'The Sports Gene,' a book by David Epstein that explores the role of genetics and training in sports performance. Epstein emphasizes that while genetics may provide some advantages, focused and intentional practice is crucial to reaching elite levels of performance.
However, in 'The First 20 Hours,' a TED Talk by Josh Kaufman, he argues that it is possible to acquire basic proficiency in a new skill or field of knowledge in just 20 hours of deliberate practice. Kaufman suggests that by identifying and prioritizing the most important aspects of the skill and dedicating concentrated practice time to them, rapid initial progress can be achieved. While this may seem to contradict the ideas presented in 'Outliers' and 'The Sports Gene,' it is important to note that Kaufman's approach is focused on basic proficiency rather than expert-level performance.
In conclusion, 'The First 20 Hours' offers a different perspective on skill acquisition compared to 'Outliers' and 'The Sports Gene.' While Gladwell and Epstein highlight the importance of extensive practice and expertise, Kaufman suggests that basic proficiency in a new skill can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time with deliberate practice.