An interesting look at making a genius.

To paraphrase a quote from Dan Gable, former coach of the Iowa wrestling team who won 16 national championships in 22 years and himself was a two time national champion and Olympic gold medalist, "When a person focuses all of their attention on just one thing they can excel at it.

Perhaps not the healthiest way to live your life, but very true.
 
One of the more interesting and inspiring documentaries I have seen. Thank you for posting this. I will certainly be able to make some good use out of this.
 
That whole site is gold, so many good free documentaries. I'ma check out guns germs and steel and the monsanto one next.
 
Neil said:
Not really, I think this pretty much settles it. To sum it up- there IS a group that excels by genetics. However, that group also has to have the nuturing. The larger group that excels is do to nuturing. However, THAT group has to have the nuturing start at a very young age.

I have to admit that I was a little surprised to see that the scientific explanations were similar to what my previous posts on this subject were.
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I do a good bit of reading on this subject and the good news is you are never too old to start this path. Researchers are finding that the brain is very pliable even at advanced ages. The issue with starting at a young age is you have more time to advance before you kick the bucket. The only limiting factor in what your brain can learn is the limit you put on yourself.
 
So .................................genius or talent can be bought at a price.
 
JoeyA said:
So .................................genius or talent can be bought at a price.
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Can genius be bought? The short answer is yes. For those of you who are interested in this subject one of many good articles that explains the dynamics of the mind of a master is: "The Brain" by Carl Zimmer which appears in the April issue of Discover magazine.

One interesting new twist they examined is a group of scientist who did an experiment with using electrical pulses to accelerate learning. They found that if they sent an electrical pulse to the motor cortex while practicing a new game they actually learned the game faster and remembered it longer than the group that did not receive the same pulse.

I am not sure I would do something like that being that they do not know the long term effects of such a method.
 
Neil said:
Be VERY careful saying things like that! Next thing you know, some yahoo is going to come out with a table that gives you a shock every time you make a ball!:D
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I'm surprised some snake oil salesman has not come out with a concoction that helps you learn the game better. With time something like you describe will be on the market whether it actually works or not.
 
mnorwood said:
I'm surprised some snake oil salesman has not come out with a concoction that helps you learn the game better. With time something like you describe will be on the market whether it actually works or not.
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How about a Die Hard strapped to my ass with jumper cables clipped to my ears. Would that do it? :D
 
Not sure if you disagree that he's a genius because you feel the word genius shouldn't be used with stuff like pool? Or because his skills maybe weren't just something he was born with?

A lot of people use genius to apply to obvious stuff like high intelligence, or amazing math skills... and some also to music or complex games like chess. But you don't see it much with games like pool (or soccer... or football). So I can sort of understand if someone things genius is the wrong word for efren.

But if someone wants to say genius is only something you're born with (like the kid who somehow is playing complex piano at 5)... the 2nd clip in that documentary link shows pretty good evidence that it isn't. You can train someone to do something at a level that anyone would consider "genius level". The polgar girls are the example they used. Their father (who was himself only mediocre in chess) homeschooled them extensively in it, and as a result all three are top level chess players. Two are grandmasters, with the higher of the two ranked at 51 in the world (both men and women)... she is "by far the strongest female chess player in history". The third is "only" an International Master which means she can still beat everyone you know blindfolded and simultaneously.

You could make a case that genetics matter here though since all three share the same bloodline. Interestingly though, scientist found that the areas of the brain used to analyze a chessboard (in Susan Polgar's case) are exactly the same as the areas used to recognize faces. Those brain cells are in everyone, but maybe for the rest of us they're focused on different things. I think a passion for something and the right teacher can bring out genius level skills in anyone, if they have the time and resources.
 
Neil said:
Be VERY careful saying things like that! Next thing you know, some yahoo is going to come out with a table that gives you a shock every time you make a ball!:D
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The rubber band pop on the wrist works almost as well but how would I know? :o

JoeyA
 
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