In many fields, the bar for virtuosity has risen sharply, and not because of what we’d normally think of as new tech.
eg: The record marathon time 100 years ago would barely qualify for the Boston Marathon today. (h/t A Ericsson)
Are there fields in which the bar has regressed?
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I can think of lots in which median performance has plausibly fallen, often because progress makes it less relevant—e.g. car maintenance. But in the examples I can think of, virtuosic performance has still risen!
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Source? In my experience the quality of cheaper, mass-produced guitars has improved.
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Today, I imagine it would be difficult to find a painter who could competently execute a fresco at all.
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Sticking with sports, current baseball players are valued on different metrics. A virtuoso pitcher now pitches 2/3 as much as 100 years ago. (many factors)
But the overt difference in value is illustrative. Other fields change their values too... in hidden ways?
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Test cricket averages at retirement.
Bradman retired in 1948 with avg 99.9. Then in order: 1970, 1954, 1935.
Only 13 players who played into the 2000s averaged above 50.
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We have the technical know how to do better than that these days. Just no political will.
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