Talk:Bolin/@comment-3123266-20110724041807/@comment-173.8.18.122-20110726202401

I'd say bending is mainly spiritual factor. The first benders were taught bending by the dragons, badger moles, sky bison, and moon/fish. I think environment, not genetics is the key factor to the probability of a kid learning a certain type of bending. The environment they grow up in will likely affect their affinity to a certain element/skill. For example if you lived in an island, your affinity is the water and you skills will be based on everything around it - fishing, star navigation, swimming, etc.

That being said, I wouldn't completely ruled out genetics being a strong factor. But I think a more likely explanation would be that a child may obtain their parents affinity to a certain element spiritually during pregnancy stage.

This is why I love the mythology of this universe...

- Khiem

Aang was the last airbender because all of the monks were wiped out and no one taught it for 100 years.