Poll

Recent autopsy results from Einstein's brain shows that he was definitely hard wired differently than most.

Stephen wrote: "Recent autopsy results from Einstein's brain shows that he was definitely hard wired differently than most."

That's correct Stephen - but recent articles and books I've read from neuroscientists indicate they disagree over whether his brain was different to most due to his genetic make-up OR things he did during his life...or a combination of both.

Einstein did a lot of radical things (mental techniques etc) during the course of his life. So I guess the only way to know for sure would be to have a scan of his brain at birth (or shortly after) to see if he was also vastly different to most at that point as well.

Some of the findings on the brain are hardwired since birth such as the cortical thickness and the amount of supporting cells with in the cerebral cortex. These aspects of the brain, he was born with. Ironically, the topic of Einstein's brain is an interesting one. I used to work in the hospital where he died and had his brain removed. I did some research on it previously in the late 1990s as part of my own interest. However, articles occasionally pop up in the neurologic literature which are supporting the fact that he was born with a superior brain. Nurturing definitely made these areas blossom.

Having 'the tools' is a prerequisite. But knowing how to use them, then becomes the determining factor. There are a lot of smart people in this world who don't have a clue! I'm sure you probably know a couple.

Stephen wrote: "Nurturing definitely made these areas blossom.
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I agree.

I tend to agree that a person has to have some of the ability, but then feel also that nurturing can greatly enhance these if it is available. When it isn't sometimes it the persons strength of character that pushes them to achieve and step outside the box. Nutrition can play a big role. For example: the omega oils can help your brain tremendously to create new cells and lecithin can help to rebuild the myelin sheath on your nerve endings, which your brain is mostly made of. Sometimes close family or piers can hold people back by negative comments or pressure to conform. It's a big question with I feel many sides to the answer.

Ila wrote: "I can't agree with nurture because of my own experience. I tested very high in school on what they said were IQ tests, so high in fact that those infamous "Men in Black" came to my home and tried t..."

That's terrible. I'm sorry to hear about your childhood.

I definitely agree with "nature". There are children who were born into very testing environmental and family situations but grow up to beat all expectations in the fields of education.

Studies have been done on the difference in neuro-pathways on psychopaths and many other disorders and how they differ from the "ordinary" brain activity due to genetics (or genetic defect)...sometimes due to head injuries. I think being of a genius-level intelligence falls into the category of differing from ordinary brain activity due genetics. For the average person, I think the nurture is extremely important as we often need somewhat of a support system to help us tackle the problems geniuses consider child's play.

I agree with Donna on the issue of nutrition...just like any other part of the body, the brain needs proper nourishment to function...

Nurture is a tough one...a gray area in my opinion. A nurturing environment for the average child, may not be the proper environment for a highly intelligent child. How do we determine the influence of nurture? Nature seems more measurable.

Lisa wrote: "Nurture is a tough one...a gray area in my opinion. A nurturing environment for the average child, may not be the proper environment for a highly intelligent child. How do we determine the influence of nurture? Nature seems more measurable.
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Nurture does not relate to the word nurturing in this instance. It has a different meaning relating to things like education, environment, parenting - so it's "nurturing" a child to greatness.
Nurture (as opposed to nature aka genes) could also include random things in a child's/adult's life. For example, the head injuries you mentioned relating to psychopaths also apply to geniuses...Many cases of geniuses have involved people of average intelligence suffering a head injury which somehow activated dormant parts of the brain and made them geniuses.

I think it is a combination of both....definitely we have inate abilites....and we of course can learn others