95th percentile isn't that hard to reach (danluu.com)

Article summary

The article argues that reaching the 95th percentile in various activities is not as impressive as it seems, as it can be achieved with relatively little effort and practice. The author uses the example of Overwatch, a video game, to illustrate how players can improve significantly by simply observing and correcting their mistakes. The article also touches on real-life activities, such as public speaking and writing, where deliberate practice and feedback can lead to significant improvements. The author suggests that many people are held back by their inability to honestly reflect on themselves and identify areas for improvement.

Main themes

• Deliberate practice
• Feedback and self-reflection
• Innate abilities vs. learned skills
• Perception and context
• Physical characteristics and success
• Improving skills and achievement
• Competition and group size

What commenters say

• Reaching the 95th percentile in a given activity is not necessarily impressive, as it can be achieved with relatively little effort and practice.
• The importance of deliberate practice and feedback in improving skills is often underestimated.
• Some activities, such as SAT scores, are more dependent on innate abilities than others, where practice and effort can lead to significant improvements.
• The perception of what is impressive or not can vary greatly depending on the context and the group being compared to.
• Height and other physical characteristics can have a significant impact on success and perception, despite being outside of one's control.
• The idea that being in the 95th percentile is not impressive is not universally accepted, and some argue that it can still be a notable achievement.
• The ability to honestly reflect on oneself and identify areas for improvement is a crucial factor in achieving significant improvements in skills.
• The concept of the 95th percentile can be misleading, as it does not take into account the level of competition or the size of the group being compared to.