In the age of AI that we're living through, I find more and more that I don't like being called talented. When I hear this directed towards me, it is always meant as a sweet and sincere compliment. While this almost never sat well with me, I find myself getting more offended by it than usual.
To me, saying someone is talented implies they are good at what they do because they just are. "Oh that's so good, I wish I was talented like you." Friend, you can be, you just have to put in the work like with anything else.
I prefer skilled. Saying someone is skilled implies they worked hard to be good, and I find this is more accurate to the the artist's experience, whatever the craft.
Maybe I just can't take a compliment.
One caveat, I think telling kids they're talented is perfectly acceptable. I would not be as skilled as I am today if I hadn't been encouraged.
