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15th out of 36 books
—
33 voters
The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong
by
David Shenk (Goodreads Author)
With irresistibly persuasive vigor, David Shenk debunks the long-standing notion of genetic “giftedness,” and presents dazzling new scientific research showing how greatness is in the reach of every individual.
DNA does not make us who we are. “Forget everything you think you know about genes, talent, and intelligence,” he writes. “In recent years, a mountain of scientific...more
DNA does not make us who we are. “Forget everything you think you know about genes, talent, and intelligence,” he writes. “In recent years, a mountain of scientific...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
March 9th 2010
by Doubleday
(first published January 1st 2010)
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This book was really good and quite similar to another book I've read called, "Talent is Overrated." It basically says that our genes alone don't determine our intelligence or how good we can become in any particular activity. We become genius in anything based on a basic genetic ability, but also hard work and practice. The book calls this dynamic development. If you do any activity for 10,000 hours you can become awesome in this skill. 10,000 hours takes 10 years of 3 hours a day. It entails d...more
He's sugarcoating everything. You know when he uses as a central quote someone saying "genetics doesn't code for parts of the nervous system, and definitely not parts of personality" that something's fishy and the whole story isn't being told. Genetics does code for the development of our brains to great extent. The USE of those brain parts does effect size, but if you happen to have a genetically-more-apt specific part, things are just gonna be a lot easier for you from the get-go than somebody...more
In my opinion, this book is superb, but many vehemently disagree. Shenk examines Nature vs. Nurture in the light of modern science and makes the argument that genes have less control over our outcome than has been popularly believed. But he doesn’t contend that environment is the sole influence on outcomes, either. Genius and giftedness are misunderstood, according to Shenk, and the capacity for high level performance is not left to fate. Reviews in Amazon have chastised Shenk as a naïve romanti...more
I've long noticed that people who say they "aren't creative" never seem to actually try to do anything creative. They admire different things I've made, then shake their heads and say "But I could never do that, because I'm not creative." I've never actually said anything to those people, but I always walk away with a tinge of annoyance. Creativity is a thing you DO, not a thing you ARE. Sure, you probably won't be able to sit down and make a masterpiece your first time out, but you know what? N...more
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After just completing a review of intro biology....dna makes rna makes protein, I enjoyed the explanation of the GxE (genes interact with environment to create traits) theory. I get it, and the evidence provided for this theory seems solid. The idea that intelligence (not just intellectual, but any of the 9+ proposed by psychologists, e.g., Howard Gardner) is not an innate gift, but rather results from a process, is quite compelling. Interesting how a number of reviewers and critics interpret th...more
Aug 10, 2010
Richard
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Richard by:
KQED Forum
Shelves:
cognition,
non-fiction
Interviewed by Michael Krasny (who never quite "got" the fundamental message, it seemed) on KQED Forum. About 48 minutes; recorded 18 March 2010; available here at KQED.org as an MP3 download or streaming audio.
Seemed several times to be extraordinary similar to Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. But Gladwell, while a great popularizer, sometimes doesn't quite get the science right. At least that's what Steven Pinker claimed in a dust-up in early 2010. Moreover, Shenk sets aside half of his book for "...more
Seemed several times to be extraordinary similar to Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. But Gladwell, while a great popularizer, sometimes doesn't quite get the science right. At least that's what Steven Pinker claimed in a dust-up in early 2010. Moreover, Shenk sets aside half of his book for "...more
Wow. David Shenk's "The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ is Wrong" is one of those books that has the ability to revolutionize the way you think, how you live your life, and how you raise your children.
I only read the first part, "The Argument." I opted out of the second part, "The Evidence," because it was approximately 140 pages of detailed footnotes on the first approximately 140 pages. Honestly, it seemed a little excessive and I felt I mus...more
I only read the first part, "The Argument." I opted out of the second part, "The Evidence," because it was approximately 140 pages of detailed footnotes on the first approximately 140 pages. Honestly, it seemed a little excessive and I felt I mus...more
I think all of us probably know someone with superior intelligence who was born to parents of just average intelligence. How does that happen? In The Genius in All of Us , author David Shenk attempts to show the reader why genius is not all about the genes we were born with. Shenk explains why intelligence is more of a combination of genes and the environment we were raised in, along with outside stimuli, that determines our potential for greatness.
Sadly, the majority of us never reach our pote...more
Sadly, the majority of us never reach our pote...more
Being a Malcolm Gladwell fan who is intimately familiar with his work, topics, and research driven writing style, I was tempted to say that David Shenk was a Malcolm Gladwell want-to be. That's not the case. David Shenk's writing style is more user friendly, but he does share the same enthusiasm for his topics and research that Malcolm does, though not as exhaustive.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter, "How to Ruin (Or Inspire) a Kid." It contains tips that will enable parents to help their chil...more
I particularly enjoyed the chapter, "How to Ruin (Or Inspire) a Kid." It contains tips that will enable parents to help their chil...more
this book really takes a look, from a scientific perspective, on what it means to have talent, develop talent, cultivate genius, and what that means for ourselves as people and ourselves as parents. it turns out that our genes are not fixed, they are dynamic and changing, so genetic determinism and making excuses because you weren't born with a certain talent are no longer valid. even those typical, historical "geniuses" put basically their whole lives since infancy, all their spare moments, to...more
This book had so much potential, but it performed abysmally. Even the organization of the book sets it up for failure. The author divides the book into 'The Argument' and 'The Evidence'. 'The Argument' is 134 pages including the epilogue. 'The Evidence' is 143 pages. At first glance, this seems pretty awesome - look at how much evidence there is to support what this guy claims - FANTASTIC. Only, not so. The so called evidence is nothing more than his chapter notes. 143 pages of notes on 134 page...more
Everybody needs to read this amazing book,David Shenk takes us on a tour de force to understanding exceptional performance,and the reasons why we too can reach all the way to the top. What an exciting book! Inspiring and liberating! David Shenk handily dispels the myth that one must be born a genius. Anybody can be a genius,just find your motivation,and give it all. You have to want it,want it so bad you will never give up like Ben Franklin,Jerry Rice,Ted Williams,Mozart,The Polgar sisters in ch...more
dea behind the book is that genes don't affect as much as we commonly believe on our capabilities on doing or learning something. Common misconception is that somebody have "better genes" for that or "people have born with skill" to make something. That just isn't true. Environment, parents, childhood, food, the way our parent lived and especially what we do matter more than just pure genetics.
It's a controversial subject, but it comes with more than 150 pages or references and proof. I read thi...more
It's a controversial subject, but it comes with more than 150 pages or references and proof. I read thi...more
[audiobook review]
"The Genius in All of Us" is a more general, approachable collection of scientific studies about brain plasticity and the origins of talent. Shenk uses examples from studies of violinists, Kenyan long-distance runners, rats, etc. to insist on the interplay between your genetics and your environment rather than being born with a limited amount of talent that is only brought out through the proper environment ("G times E" vs "G plus E").
One of Shenk's more unique points is that y...more
"The Genius in All of Us" is a more general, approachable collection of scientific studies about brain plasticity and the origins of talent. Shenk uses examples from studies of violinists, Kenyan long-distance runners, rats, etc. to insist on the interplay between your genetics and your environment rather than being born with a limited amount of talent that is only brought out through the proper environment ("G times E" vs "G plus E").
One of Shenk's more unique points is that y...more
This was a mind-blowing book. Shenk argues that the environment really does impact and change your genetic makeup. He presents a solid blow to the idea that we're simply stuck with the genes we receive from our parents, and analyzes clones, twins, child protégées (Mozart features heavily), and more, showing that through determination and hard work, the ordinary person can train themselves to be extraordinary.
He finally (in my view) settles the racial IQ gap, as well as the rich/poor IQ gap (whic...more
He finally (in my view) settles the racial IQ gap, as well as the rich/poor IQ gap (whic...more
Excellent book dispelling the dichotomy of nature vs. nurture. Shenk argues that both are mutually interactive (genes shape how you interact with your environment, while at the same time your environment and actions can shape your genes).
Has a great chapter on how to foster excellence in children (Believe in them, support without smothering, have a steady (but slow) pace and persist, and embrace failure.)
I also loved the chapter on fostering a culture of excellence by providing competition (he...more
Has a great chapter on how to foster excellence in children (Believe in them, support without smothering, have a steady (but slow) pace and persist, and embrace failure.)
I also loved the chapter on fostering a culture of excellence by providing competition (he...more
The book is initially misleading, in that it actually ends about 1/2 way through, and the rest dedicated notes and sources. They need to be read also to get the full benefits of the book.
As much as I find the message of the book rewarding (the author does a great job of delivering near-motivational speeches here and there), it could use a little more emphasis and research into deliberate practice. People reading this may get little sense of what that really means, despite his fairly high emphasi...more
As much as I find the message of the book rewarding (the author does a great job of delivering near-motivational speeches here and there), it could use a little more emphasis and research into deliberate practice. People reading this may get little sense of what that really means, despite his fairly high emphasi...more
Shenk states in his "Book Origins" chapter of the Part II "Evidence" section, "My ambitious goal became to try to somehow bridge these two worlds [the study of genetics and the study of talent/achievement] and to distill it all into a new lingua franca, adopting helpful new phrases and metaphors that scientists could share with teachers, journalists, politicians, and so on." (pps.171, 172) Oh please. I don't think he accomplished his goal. Or maybe I'm just obtuse, but I am not convinced. Even w...more
Sound the alarms! "No one is genetically doomed to mediocrity." This book is easy to read and interesting. The author goes to great lengths (half of the book is sources) to smash all the myths associated with innate talent. Basically he doesn't even want people to say innate talent anymore.
It takes a lot of hard work, of course, but not just that. It's "deliberate practice,"It…does not involve a mere execution or repetiton of already attained skills but repeated attempts to reach beyond one’s cu...more
It takes a lot of hard work, of course, but not just that. It's "deliberate practice,"It…does not involve a mere execution or repetiton of already attained skills but repeated attempts to reach beyond one’s cu...more
Disclaimer: I only read the first half of the book, which is the author's argument. The second half of the book (the data backing up the argument), I skipped. I know that's lazy of me, but I was already 4 days overdue and there were holds!!
Shenk's premise that it's not nature vs. nurture, but rather nature (DNA) interacting with nurture (environment). Shenk not only brings up the 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to attain mastery rule so beloved in Outliers, he goes behind the biology of it a...more
Shenk's premise that it's not nature vs. nurture, but rather nature (DNA) interacting with nurture (environment). Shenk not only brings up the 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to attain mastery rule so beloved in Outliers, he goes behind the biology of it a...more
Firstly, don't dismiss this book as too demanding and scientific to be of interest. It's not dry, boring, condescending, or complicated, so you can't use those as excuses to avoid it. Secondly, this book is interesting, very accessible, and will likely change the way you think about talent, giftedness, and inherited genes. Which is a very good reason to give it a read.
But this is not a light read, either - probably not something you would take to the beach or read on that flight from Chicago to...more
But this is not a light read, either - probably not something you would take to the beach or read on that flight from Chicago to...more
The Genius in All of Us - David Shenk
This is very good. Many of the same topics covered in the books Outlier by Malcolm Gladwell and Bounce by Matthew Syed (see my reviews), but this is marginally a better book. Short and to the point, there is only 130 pages of real content (the rest are notes, etc).
This is a good book for anyone that wants to learn and gain expertise at something. The ideas related to cultural change is important too, and not in either of the other two books. This is also an e...more
This is very good. Many of the same topics covered in the books Outlier by Malcolm Gladwell and Bounce by Matthew Syed (see my reviews), but this is marginally a better book. Short and to the point, there is only 130 pages of real content (the rest are notes, etc).
This is a good book for anyone that wants to learn and gain expertise at something. The ideas related to cultural change is important too, and not in either of the other two books. This is also an e...more
Won this a a freereads :)
In "The Genius in All of Us" David Shenk tells us about how the majority of people are unable to reach their full intellectual potential due to various factors within our environment and how it is related to our genes. Shenk tells us how our intelligence is not something that is pre-determined or fixed from the moment we are born. Instead he argues that intelligence is a combination of our genes and environment that we are raised in along with external stimuli. This is w...more
In "The Genius in All of Us" David Shenk tells us about how the majority of people are unable to reach their full intellectual potential due to various factors within our environment and how it is related to our genes. Shenk tells us how our intelligence is not something that is pre-determined or fixed from the moment we are born. Instead he argues that intelligence is a combination of our genes and environment that we are raised in along with external stimuli. This is w...more
This book just didn't do it for me. It was a book club read for me and I didn't even get through the whole thing. After much discussion of the book, I have found it didn't click with me because I don't appear to be his target audience since I don't live my life in a resigned-to-my-genetics sort of way. I also felt like everything he said was nothing new, at least for me. So I didn't think it was mind-blowing or life changing or even great. And I think his theory of it being GxE instead of G+E is...more
What a fascinating and inspiring book. Author David Shenk challenges the idea that we are limited by our genetic makeup. He uses research to support the idea that our genetics and environment interact continuously to make us who we are. His main message is that genius is created by hard work, persistence and the ability to view failure as opportunity. He uses numerous real life examples (Beethoven, Ted Williams, Kenyan runners, Einstein)to support his premises. He includes guiding principles for...more
As other reviewers have observed, the entire second half of David Shenk’s book consists of extensive endnotes. In fact, I’d say that despite being marketed as a work of popular science, _The Genius in All of Us_ wants to be much more. The second half of Shenk’s text is intended, no doubt, to be useful to academics and other researchers.
Although I am a professor—and I read this volume with an eye to how its lessons might inform my classroom pep speeches—I doubt that I’ll be crafting any conferen...more
Although I am a professor—and I read this volume with an eye to how its lessons might inform my classroom pep speeches—I doubt that I’ll be crafting any conferen...more
This book isn't as engaging as other books with a similar message that are fresh in my mind (Outliers and NutureShock), but it's certainly worth reading. Shenk provides a compelling introduction to epigenetic theory (the idea that our lifestyle choices affect the genetic makeup of future generations by altering the histone protein that acts as packaging for DNA). Lessons from this book include: Believe in the unlimited potential of all children; Emphasize hard work over innate ability when prais...more
I enjoyed the book but over half of it, the portion labeled as The Evidence, are sources, notes and amplifications. There's certainly nothing wrong with a well sourced book, it just felt a bit strange that the book effectively ends on page 163 while the sources, notes and amplifications go on until page 377. It shares some great insights into the whole 10,000 hours to mastery idea and makes a pretty convincing case that the genius of Mozart, da Vinci, and others, came not from innate "gifts," bu...more
It's amazing! I'd swear he somehow got access to my notebooks from back in 2003-2005 and directly copied the musings of my discussions with others while I was on the streets into his manuscript.
This is something that EVERYONE should read as it sheds some light on today's misguided take on genetics due to the flawed experiments of Mendel. This is not to say that his experiments did not move us forward; they did. But it does offer proof that the genome itself changes based on environmental interac...more
This is something that EVERYONE should read as it sheds some light on today's misguided take on genetics due to the flawed experiments of Mendel. This is not to say that his experiments did not move us forward; they did. But it does offer proof that the genome itself changes based on environmental interac...more
I received this book upon winning the first reads contest. David Shenk brings an interesting vantage to genetics and the raising of a "genius".
The book is split into two parts (the argument and the evidence). Shenk contends that "geniuses" are not innately born brilliant, but are brought about through hard work and practice. Furthermore, he goes on to show the interactivity between the environment and genes. The brain's plasticity and the dynamicism of genes portrays the potential everyone has...more
The book is split into two parts (the argument and the evidence). Shenk contends that "geniuses" are not innately born brilliant, but are brought about through hard work and practice. Furthermore, he goes on to show the interactivity between the environment and genes. The brain's plasticity and the dynamicism of genes portrays the potential everyone has...more
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| Getting better at what you do | 1 | 4 | Sep 06, 2012 05:46pm |
David Shenk is the award-winning and national-bestselling author of six books, including
The Genius in All of Us: New Insights Into Genetics, Talent, and IQ
("deeply interesting and important" - New York Times),
The Forgetting: Alzheimer's, Portrait of an Epidemic
("remarkable" - Los Angeles Times),
Data Smog: Surviving the Information Glut
("indispensable" - New York Times), and
The Im...more
More about David Shenk...
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“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, even your reputation,” he writes. “You will have to adopt a particular lifestyle of ambition, not just for a few weeks or months but for years and years and years. You have to want it so bad that you are not only ready to fail, but you actually want to experience failure: revel in it, learn from it.”
—
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