David Shenk (3/18/10)

The Genius in All of Us

David Shenk, Author, The Forgetting, Data Smog and The Immortal Game

Shenk presents a compelling case against the notion of genetic giftedness. Forget everything you think you know about genes, talent and intelligence. In recent years, some scientific evidence has emerged suggesting a completely new paradigm: not talent scarcity, but latent talent abundance. Integrating cutting-edge research from a wide swath of disciplines - cognitive science, genetics, biology, child development - Shenk reveals a highly optimistic new view of human potential.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• commonwealth club
• david shenk
• dna
• neuroscience
• science

[JohnDexter0]

Its not that he's wrong. But it is a theory. No one can actually determine 100% that such thing is true. Although, It doesn't mean that we can disregard this man. The fact that he's even bringing it up means he's intellectually eligible to debate about such profound topic. Disregarding what he's saying is just making you ignorant.

[dieyoubastards]

@dieyoubastards I love it when a moron who can't spell tries to enlighten us.

[dieyoubastards]

some human "beens" do. LOL

[TheMegaPolita]

it is just a theory. there are potencials coming with the genes and we can cultivate other ones... in the end you really don't know what you are able to do. The human been has an incredible power!

[Xenostrobe]

I suspect that if you introduce education reforms that respond positively to the likes of Shenk, Daniel Pink and Ken Robinson, this will threaten many powerful elements of the status quo (surpise) such as happened in early 20th cen when democracy/labour shifted balance of power from 'robber barons' say, to 'the people'. Enter PR, Bernays, engineering of consent. Playing to the 'id' (easy $'s) under the pretense that such irrational forces can't be left sublimated... caveat id, whatever you do.

[menonfire12]

I think we live in a sort of chaotic system and the percent of "nurture" that makes us as we are even if found latter to be a slight number can really make a big difference because a tinny move can make our lives really different, so there is also that to take into account.

[realveive]

Sinekyre: It would be nice if you could substantiate your inane assertion about Shenk's "AGENDA". What I hear is that our genetic complement does not totally dictate what we become. Our genome is admittedly a big part of who we become but it can be "helped" along the way. Seems only dyed in the wool fatalists and predestinationists would condemn Shenk's book.

[Sinekyre14]

This man has an AGENDA. The fact that he has a title and some pieces of paper to refer to doesn't hide that fact. The communists had all biologists killed, because everything in nature was "equal". The truth is, NOTHING in nature is equal or the same. Our genetics give us unique qualities from birth, that can only be altered to a certain extent by traning.

Shenk is promoting the "cultural marxist" world view when he attempts to disassemble our discoveries of innate genetic differences.

[yungmastrchrysjin]

@Sinekyre14 Hehe, ok. Why do you say that? And don't just give me your opinions. Please cite other scientific studies if you would.

[Sinekyre14]

This guy is a disgusting leftist propagandist, he distorts facts and does anything to promote a marxist agenda. He wants to destroy all research on IQ and genetic differences, because it fits his political view. Avoid like the plague if you want to keep your sanity.