Shenk mentions in his argument several child prodigies that developed into extremely successful adults, such as Copernicus, Rembrandt, Bach, Newton, Kant, da Vinci, and Einstein (86). Prodigies such as Yo-Yo Ma began work on the piano at 3, and the cello at 5. Others, such as Michael Jordan, however, developed their skills comparatively later in life, not even making the varsity basketball squad in his sophomore year of high school.
So, with the widely varying ages at which great achievers gain their talents, what do you think is the "perfect" age to start working on potential talents? Is there a scientific basis on when the human brain is the most malleable, and is the best time to start learning a new skill? Can you teach "an old dog new tricks"? Is trying to work on a skill at a more advanced age futile, or is the only important factor the mental discipline and determination? How do environmental and genetic factors play into all of this?
David Whisler (dwhis428@gmail.com)
It does seem that the majority of these prodigious scientist and philosophers all began their practice at a young age. However, Michael Jordan developed much later. For the most part, Michael Jordan is an exception. The majority of prodigious athletes or learners begin to excel at a young age. However, I do not believe this is due a decrease in the epigenetic changes in genes. I believe that the reason it can be difficult for an older person to learn a skill is more mental than genetic. Young people have had fewer experiences, and less time to develop bad habits. People who are older have become accustomed to their environment, and mentally it is more difficult to change lifestyles. To make a major change, a major lifestyle change is needed. This is more difficult once the body has become accustomed to an environment.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a report by "Environmental Health News" epigenetic changes can occur later in life. In this study, elderly men were exposed to black carbon. After the study "the authors found that exposure to black carbon and sulfates during the 90 days were associated with decreases in DNA methylation. These decreases may lead to changes in gene expression". While this is a negative effect, it is proof that the elderly are capable of epigenetic changes. If a negative change in the environment caused an epigenetic change, couldn't a positive change also cause an epigenetic change? If an older person wanted to learn a skill, and devoted time to it, wouldn't it also cause an epigenetic change?
As aging occurs, it has been proposed that telomeres play a role. According to Campbell, "Telomeric DNA protects the organism's genes". As aging occurs, the telomeres shorten, causing the genes to be more unprotected. This certainly could explain why the elderly are more susceptible to the negative effects of a negative change in the environment. It could also be possible that the elderly are more capable of positive epigenetic changes as well because their shortened tellers leave their genes unprotected. The lack of protection could lead to increase in epigenetic change. This would forever change the idea that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".
Jonah May (Jonah2020@aol.com)
Many prodigies like Mozart and Yo Yo Ma began to learn their trade at a very young age. This allowed them to be successful in their adult life because of many reasons. For one, their parents and their environment push them to excel because there is so much emphasis placed on skills like learning to play the piano. Thus, when they grow up they value their skills and continue to practice them. Also, by teaching them at a young age, mentors are able to teach them more because their minds are filled with very little other distractions and because children are very open minded and have a tendency to explore and learn new things.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with teaching children at a very young age is that they might not have the drive and motivation to succeed as much as and older person does. A young musician plays piano just because that is what he had always done, but an older musician might practice because he has a desire to become famous for playing that instrument. Also, as Jonah said, it would be possible for epigenetics to change genes as a person dedicates a large amount of time to something, making it possible for a person to become good at something even if they do not begin as a small child.
In nature, many animal offspring like geese go through a critical period where imprinting occurs, and they learn valuables skills. A lesser form of imprinting probably also occurs in human babies, since they also need to learn a lot of new things as a child. This suggests that it is easier for people to learn new skills and develop them from a young age, not only because the skills are stored better it the brain, but also because they have a longer time to develop those skills. However, an older person can also practice and become good at something, it is just that it would take more effort and time.
David Wang (dwang95@gmail.com)