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The Genius in All of Us: David Shenk

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Commonwealth Club of California

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David Shenk: Can Persistence Be Taught?

04 min 07 sec

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The Genius in All of Us author David Shenk argues that persistence can be an acquired trait, rather than simply an innate quality.

He cites a study that found seventh graders who were praised for their hard work challenged themselves more than their peers who were praised for their intelligence.
Epigenetics: How Behavior Affects Genetics

02 min 02 sec

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Can the decisions you make influence your children's genetics? According to emerging research, they can.

The Genius in All of Us author David Shenk introduces the field of epigenetics, which explores how environmental factors affect genetic expression.
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01 hr 03 min 28 sec

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There are 9 comments on this program

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Previous FORAtv comments:

Simon Kidd

Posted: 11.23.11, 09:10 PM

Thanks for that reference to Feuerstein.

Andrew Atkin

Posted: 05.13.10, 07:48 PM

A lot of good comments in this talk. Alas it is true - the only thing that we really know that an IQ test tests for, is the individuals' ability to perform on it. Though we can identify broad (amongst large groups) correlations between mental performance on an IQ test and performance in the world in general, that is only because you will find a correlation like that with any test requiring some mental aptitude. We cannot yet measure intelligence with any real confidence. Also, for the most part the academic tests we perform on only, at the end of the day, measure our conformity to someone else's developmental agenda (schools = human resource factories: John Taylor Gatto will tell you all about it!). I think so-called 'genius' begins with letting your intrinsic talent develop naturally - not trying to turn yourself into a slightly faster or more disciplined version of what everybody else is. Unfortunately schools would rather have us compete in their game (er - agenda), than leave us be to develop into our own self-determined capacities. Unfortunately the speaker did not go into this point. He was a bit too quick to embrace the traditional assumptions of what 'talent' even is.

Florisv

Posted: 04.19.10, 06:58 AM

A must see and hear, and think about. Does our education brings out the best in peoples ? I think not.

MTGRAY

Posted: 04.13.10, 03:07 PM

come come now science things,have you only new words to twist the real world!

Eric25001

Posted: 04.06.10, 08:57 PM

upregulate downregulate methylation time amd timing. Look at the studies from Sweden on the effect of diet of grandparents on the health of grandchildren. interesting is the timing of a nutritional shortfall for males at puberty as opposed to females with a nutritional surplus in utero As for education why not say education ==> Genes + Hardwork + self paced + individualized level + use what works

Eric25001

Posted: 04.06.10, 07:49 PM

New way of understanding? Or some kind of newspeak? Lets look at the science of every gene every allele every SNP and the IQ. Also lets look at epigenetics. Lets look at metabolic markers. Now let us look at what works and what has not worked. What can be done in the home and what might be done in school. Is Socioeconomic status cause or result of low performance? Can you accept if the science goes against what you would "like" to believe? What if we could learn to upload brains, beauty, health and very long life!!! Why not a win win nature and nurture Yes and Probability----

jimec

Posted: 04.06.10, 07:58 AM

He covers similar territory to Bruce Lipton's book "the biology of belief" but far more importantly I would like to make a big connection to the work of REUVEN FEUERSTEIN - as far as I can tell this is one of the most important names in the world of educational psychology and/or psychology in general - his work goes a very long way towards answering the question posed above re. what are the implications for the western education system. I am not sure that David Shenk has fully appreciated the real implications of the things he is talking about - the "scientists" quoted above are still struggling to catch up/ catch on to things about human potential that Feuerstein has been demonstrating/ talking about since the 1950's... I understand that there are potentially big things happening in South Africa with implementing Feuerstein's paradigm on a national scale, also some beacons of hope in the US, solid support in the north of Italy, and also pockets in other parts of the world, so far it is just me in western australia - 32nd annual international workshop is in Romania in July. Really it is only a google search away - I hope I have influenced you to "persist" in using the resources at your disposal to continue learning about yourself.

lovapet

Posted: 04.04.10, 12:54 PM

Great talk. Are you aware of a dvd on a simular topic called "ghost of our genes"? Based on research done by two scientist in norway.

Invictus_88

Posted: 04.04.10, 05:15 AM

Good talk, with good examples, well pitched. It's good to see things being moved forward.

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