Talent was not rare; the ability to survive having it was.
Meaning of the quote
Many people have talents, but what's really hard is being able to handle and make the most of those talents. It's not enough to just have special skills or abilities - you also need to know how to use them in a way that helps you succeed in life. Having talent is one thing, but being able to keep going and thrive with that talent is something else entirely.
About Neal Stephenson
Neal Stephenson is an acclaimed American author known for his works of speculative fiction, including science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, and baroque novels. His writing explores a wide range of subjects, from mathematics and cryptography to linguistics and the history of science. He has also collaborated with his uncle and co-founded a company developing interactive fiction projects.
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