I distrust the blank slate theory as much as the next guy, but have some doubts specifically about programming. For example, in the programming profession you can find many folks who are similarly clueless about cooking. Would you believe if one of them said to you "You know, I just wasn't built for cooking"? Maybe the mindset necessary for programming (and logical thinking in general) is just very difficult to communicate, and some people just stumble on it by accident? That's why I'm asking for citations.