Question from Takechan

If you are asking if it takes abilities and talents that others may not have, I would say no. I feel it is a matter of "elbow grease" or, as my mother would say, "sticktoitivness."

However, Takechan, I sense a deeper meaning behind your question. I would venture a guess that you have thought about medical school and even considered neurosurgery training. Assuming that I am correct, I will give you my thoughts on what it takes to be a brain surgeon.

There are approximately 3,000 board certified neurosurgeons in the United States, far fewer than the number of lawyers. Shakespeare is thought to have said, "Let us kiss all the lawyers." I think I got that right , but I may be incorrect.

It is a question of multi-tasking. To focus on critical areas of the brain during surgery where every move has to be performed properly and with precision, there are numerous choices that are flowing through the surgeon’s mind, in the background of consciousness, as the task is completed. At the end of the day, during conversations with a significant "other," it is hard to find a switch to throw and revert to "normal everyday life" when for us, this way of thinking is normal.

Let me expound upon these points:

And why do I say this? One has to have the nerve to boldly go where none have gone before and to a place where only a few are allowed to go. The goal is to complete the task in the most perfect manner possible . . . attack it like a tiger in water . . .that is, with perfect control and deftness. It is a learned ability in my opinion; no special talents other than perseverance are needed. It does not require a genius and the training is rigorous. But it is not the I.Q that counts, but the "I Quit." It requires many years of intensive training to learn how to operate. It then takes many years in practice to know when to operate. However, it takes a lifetime to know when not to operate.

These are all hurdles that can be taken in stride but it is worth it to be allowed to work on the most precious of things . . . the human brain.

QED