Article Summary

Henry Oliver suggests there is nothing wrong with being an "opsimath" - a late bloomer or lifelong learner who achieve success later in life.

The author challenges the conventional wisdom that success must come early, citing examples from various fields to illustrate that peak performance can occur at different ages.

He raises many key points, including:

1. Different cognitive functions peak at various ages throughout life, with some abilities improving well into middle age or beyond.

2. Recent research suggests that success in fields like entrepreneurship, science, and the arts might not correlate with being young.

3. He introduces the concept of "Q factor" - a combination of skills, motivation, and adaptability that, along with persistence and luck, contributes to success.

4. The author also proposes reframing "late bloomers" as "opsimaths" - individuals who continue learning and adapting throughout their lives.

5. Oliver presents examples of opsimaths, including Samuel Johnson and Charles Darwin.

FInally, Oliver argues for a more nuanced understanding of talent development and success, emphasizing that people can flourish at different stages of life. It suggests that biography could be a useful tool for exploring and illustrating these patterns. The piece advocates for a broader perspective on success and talent, encouraging readers to appreciate the potential for significant accomplishments throughout one's lifetime, rather than focusing solely on early achievement.