On Page 49, Shenk lists off three ingredients for why the myth of giftedness still exists up to this day. The three ingredients he argues are:
1.) The unexplained phenomena of child prodigies and "savants"
2.) The myth of genes as blueprints
3.) No compelling alternative
Based on these three ideas, Shenk seems to be saying that scientists in general have just accepted that giftedness exists because it is conveniently simple. Shenk then goes on to provide examples which should immediately shut down the the convenient idea of giftedness. After reading what Shenk has to say on the matter, do you still believe that some people are just naturally "gifted", or do you think there is more of a background to their talents? Explain. Cite examples from the book or just your own knowledge to support your answer.
David Shenk argues in his novel how the idea of people being simply gifted at something is complete trash. He also argues how the accepted idea of some people being gifted exists because it is conveniently simple. After reading Shenk's novel, I agree with what he has to say for the most part, although I also believe that having superior genetics can give one a little advantage.
ReplyDeleteBeing a success requires motivation and ambition to pursue a goal. People who have succeeded did so because they were "impressible and resilient" (120). To succeed, "you have to want it, want it so bad you will never give up, so bad that you are ready to sacrifice time, money, sleep, friendships, and even your reputation" (120). It will take "years and years and years" and you will have to not only be "ready to fail, but you actually want to experience failure: revel in it, learn from it" (120). After all, even Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, said that he "failed over and over and over again in [his] life. And that is why [he] succeed[s]". Having motivation to succeed and bounce back from failure causes people to work overtime, with more determination and passion, to reach their ultimate goal. Baseball star Ted Williams was seen as gifted, but he revealed how much he wanted to be the best and how he worked very hard to achieve it. He practiced his swing constantly in order to become to the best. After eye exams, his eyes were determined to be normal. Thus he wasn't simply gifted, he worked very hard at his art, and that is why he succeeded.
Another key ingredient in the meal that is success is the environment that one grows up in. Environments that foster growth minded people are key to creating successful people. Through encouraging learning, which is "one of the most powerful ways that environmental conditions can influence behavior", environments allow kids to grow and divulge themselves into whatever they want to (Campbell 1125).
Yet even with these other key ingredients for success, genes still play a role in determining talents of an individual. A child can be born with more muscle mass, and that can improve his chances to become a weightlifter versus a child born with less muscle mass. Many scientists see genetics as counting as close to 50% of an individuals intelligence; yet, there is still a lack of conclusive scientific evidence to support this (http://www.scq.ubc.ca/the-genetic-basis-of-intelligence/).
So overall, an individuals talents are created by various different factors, all being equally important. In the end, it is up to the individual to make the most of what he has, and to become the greatest he can be.
-Arjun Ahuja (aahuja12@gmail.com)
Well, according to the article "Extremes of Intelligence: Mental Retardation and Giftedness" by J.L Cook, he talks about what is Mental Retardation and Giftedness. Shenk proposes that technically nobody is gifted, but he never proposes that someone has really low "giftedness."
ReplyDeleteI think giftedness exists, as some people are just more gifted than others, just as some have below-normal intellectual functioning. The characteristics according to the article of a giftedness student are that they are precocious and independent, and have their own drive to master subjects/hobbies. If Shenk thinks that there is not giftedness, then why do some people have this ability?
Well Shenk might not believe it, but even the studies that he talks about of Sternberg's show that Intelligence isn't fixed and its changing/growing, so if your intelligence is growing, it could grow at a different rate, that makes an individual have a higher intelligence than the normal for that age, making the person to being gifted. Also tests can measure this "giftedness" as each individual has a different gift.
Okay well if Shenk can prove the opposite of giftedness, which is mental retardation, which is below-normal intellectual functioning, there must be a higher end to this, which is giftedness. Also according to Lewis Terman's study, he had found that "gifted individuals were not neurotic, frail, eccentric or emotionally sensitive individuals. Instead they were larger, healthier, and generally well-adjusted than most children." So according to this, yes his GxE equation does fit in how environment can be a factor for having a content life and having the giftedness and possible genetics too. Along with these factors, what the child has been introduced to in his life and what time can have great effects on the genius within all of us.
Arjun, I agree with you about Michael Jordan, but he strived for what he wanted, and at a young age he showed the rage to master the sport even if he didn't succeed the first time, therefore he must have been gifted. Learning about Michael Jordan's past, he wasn't forced or made to keep on practicing to become better, but it was his own drive to achieve high.
Sruthi (gangasruthi@gmail.com)