There’s Room for You: Debunking the Myth of Talent Scarcity

Dec 1

4 min read

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth,” Les Brown once said, “because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.” That line has stayed with me for years. Every time I’ve hesitated to pursue something creative, I hear it echoing in my mind. How many songs go unwritten? How many films go unmade? How many paintings remain trapped in the imagination of someone too afraid to share their gift?

We tell ourselves, There are already enough artists. Enough writers. Enough musicians. The stages feel crowded, the galleries overflowing, the charts dominated. Who would even notice one more? This is the myth of talent scarcity—the insidious idea that the creative world has a limited capacity and that, somehow, you don’t have a seat at the table.

I believed this for a long time. And if I’m honest, there are days I still do. But I’ve come to realize this myth isn’t just wrong; it’s dangerous. It stops us from creating. Worse, it stops us from believing we’re even allowed to try.

There’s Room for You: Debunking the Myth of Talent Scarcity

The Illusion of Oversaturation

We live in a world where we’re drowning in content. Scroll through TikTok, open Spotify, browse Netflix—it’s an endless stream of creativity, and it can feel like every corner of the artistic universe has already been claimed. This illusion of oversaturation convinces so many of us to quit before we even start.

But history tells a different story. Think about music. The Beatles didn’t stop writing love songs because Elvis had already done it. Adele didn’t shelve her heartbreak ballads because Taylor Swift was dominating the charts. Each of them brought something unique to the same timeless themes. As Derek Sivers said in his TED Talk, “Whatever you create is yours. Even if a thousand people do what you do, your version will be unique because it has your perspective.”

Moreover, research supports the idea that audiences crave new voices. A 2019 study published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts found that people are more likely to engage with and appreciate creative work that offers a fresh perspective or emotional resonance. This suggests that even in a sea of content, originality still captures attention.

Art isn’t a competition; it’s a conversation. And every voice adds depth and nuance to the dialogue.

Greatness Isn’t a Numbers Game

I used to think that in order to create something meaningful, I had to be the best—or at least better than what was already out there. But creativity doesn’t work that way. As Oscar Wilde put it, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Look at Rupi Kaur, who self-published her poetry collection Milk and Honey after being told there was no market for her work. She didn’t try to be the next Maya Angelou or Emily Dickinson. She wrote her truth—raw, unpolished, and deeply personal. And millions of people connected with it. Kaur’s story reminds us that greatness isn’t about comparison; it’s about authenticity.

Interestingly, a study by the American Psychological Association found that engaging in creative activities—even if only for oneself—improves mental well-being and increases life satisfaction. Creativity, it turns out, is not just an act of self-expression; it’s an act of self-care.

The Real Danger of the Scarcity Mindset

But this isn’t just about personal fulfillment. The myth of scarcity harms our collective culture, too. It disproportionately silences marginalized voices. When we internalize the idea that only a select few deserve to be heard, we reinforce systems that exclude those who need representation the most.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, in her talk The Danger of a Single Story, explains how limiting narratives strips us of empathy and understanding. “When we reject the single story,” she says, “we regain a kind of paradise.” It’s not just about making room for more stories—it’s about recognizing that we need them.

The consequences of suppressing diverse voices are profound. A 2021 report by the Brookings Institution found that industries with greater diversity in leadership and creative roles produced more innovative and financially successful outcomes. This applies not only to businesses but to the broader cultural landscape.

A Personal Call to Action

There have been countless moments when I’ve stared at a blank page, paralyzed by the thought: Who cares? I’ll think about the endless stream of voices louder and more polished than mine, and I’ll want to walk away. But then I remember the artists who inspire me—the ones who didn’t ask for permission to exist. They didn’t worry about whether the world had room for them. They simply created.

And so, I’m learning to create, too. To write, to share, to make mistakes, and to risk being ignored. Because the truth is, the world doesn’t have enough of you. It never will.

Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” This isn’t just advice; it’s a challenge. To step forward, to speak up, to claim your place in the ever-expanding universe of art and ideas.

There will never be too many stories, too many songs, too many creators. The stage isn’t full. The gallery walls aren’t crowded. The world is waiting. So, what are you going to do about it?