No it wouldn't explain anything. That was just a paranthetical comment to refer to the appropriate measure of ability. In almost any endeavour, achievement comes from a combination of ability and effort, and while effort can make up some ground, there is a limit to that.
When talking about IQ, the appropriate measure of ability is IQ.
This essentially implies that people in the top 0.1% (i.e. at least +3SD above average) are all essentially at the same level of ability
No, it doesn't. It implies that normal distributions are normal. You responded with the absurdity that 1 in 1 billion mathematical talents show up at Los Angeles high schools every few years, validating my comment earlier that you don't seem to understand how distributions work.
