In "The Writing Life," Annie Dillard highlights the rarity of exceptional talents within the vast human population, suggesting that only a small number can produce a book in a year, emphasizing the unique nature of literary creation. She contrasts this with other remarkable human abilities and feats, illustrating that extraordinary skills vary widely among individuals and should not be considered typical.

Dillard encourages readers to appreciate these extremes without setting them as societal norms. Whether it's writing a book or other feats of strength and endurance, she emphasizes that human potential is diverse, and not everyone needs to excel in extraordinary ways to find value in their lives.