Being the best is a matter of technical ability, which can be gained through intense study and practice.

Being the best requires ambition, perserverance, determination. Discipline can be taught; if the desire is there, the necessary tools can be adopted.

Being the best requires some amount of gift, of talent, of birthright. Some are more given to a field than others; if you’re lucky, your gift matches your dreams. If you’re unlucky, you’re among the majority.

Being the best at some point becomes a matter of the opinions and tastes of the outside world. There is no pinnacle, only a plateau that holds space for a select few. At that point (as with any superlative), ranking becomes an issue decided by the leanings of the masses.

I often wonder what it would have been like to be among the elite, to be considered the best.