Smarter people will get the prerequisites faster. Nothing wrong with that, I'm more of a persistent person myself, which is a quality in itself. The really accomplished people are both smart and persistent.
But otherwise I agree with the article. I have zero basics in physics because my first teacher was generally senile and there was noone else (small town), and it was always something where I automatically tried my best to just get a passing grade.
The point about persistence is really important. I've worked with a lot of smart people who aren't persistent and, frankly, quite often lazy and/or uninterested. They don't work through problems by themselves and are quick to seek help or quick answers at every hurdle. Needless to say they aren't going and filling in the gaps in the requisite knowledge to better themselves either.
But otherwise I agree with the article. I have zero basics in physics because my first teacher was generally senile and there was noone else (small town), and it was always something where I automatically tried my best to just get a passing grade.