Help needed: What's the name of this story?

[Joy H.]

My son wants to know the name this story he read as a kid. It's a sci-fi story about teaching people to read, etc. by putting something over their heads and programming them. Then they are given a job for their category of learning. However, some people can't be programmed. In the end, they turn out to be the creative ones who develop the learning programs.

One of the characters who can't be programmed can't be given a job. He wants a job. So he tries to teach himself. He later finds out that he's one of the creative ones who can't be programmed.

What is the name of this story and who is the author?

[Cathy]

I've had very good luck finding forgotten books on this site: http://www.loganberrybooks.com/solved...
There is a search box, and I've found books that I read 30 years ago from just 2 words. Maybe it will work for you guys. It's also the site of a very nice independent book store. Good luck!

[Becky]

You could also try www.Abesbooks.com Book Sleuth area. They are very helpful as well.

[Joy H.]

Catherine wrote: "I've had very good luck finding forgotten books on this site: http://www.loganberrybooks.com/solved...
There is a search box, and I've found books that I read 30 years ago from just 2 words. Mayb..."

Thank you, Catherine. I'll follow up.

[Joy H.]

Becky wrote: "You could also try www.Abesbooks.com Book Sleuth area. They are very helpful as well."

Thanks, Becky. I'll try that too.

[Cathy]

Thanks as well, Becky! I've used Abes Books and even get their newsletter, but never noticed that feature before :)

[Joy H.]

I've posted my questions at the AbeBooks website as shown below:
(BTW, I didn't use the Loganberry website suggested above because they wanted $2.00. It was too much trouble to go through the paying process.)

A. Title of question: "What's the name of this story?"
See my question at AbeBooks website: ====>
http://forums.abebooks.com/n/mb/messa...
PATH WAS: Home > Community > Community Forums

B, Title of question: "Title/Author: A device to program minds"
See my question at AbeBooks website: ====>
http://forums.abebooks.com/n/mb/messa...
PATH WAS: Home > Community > BookSleuth

I posted each question in the Science Fiction section of each forum.

[[deleted user]]

There's also the free GR option:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

[Cathy]

If you want to try logenberry and get more immediate results, search the already answered questions. I've never actually asked one of my own (even when it was free). I'm the impatient type, I don't like to wait results! But I sure love the way people on this site chime in to help each other. It's such a nice community and resource. Thanks everyone.

[Joy H.]

Thomas wrote: "There's also the free GR option:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1..."

Yes, Thomas, I've already tried that option. See my message at the group you suggested. The link is below: ====>
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

So far, no luck. :)

[Joy H.]

Catherine wrote: "If you want to try logenberry and get more immediate results, search the already answered questions. I've never actually asked one of my own (even when it was free). I'm the impatient type, I don't..."

Searching the already answered questions would seem like looking for a needle in a haystack. :) Thanks anyway, Catherine.

[Marissa]

I knew I had read this story before the minute you had mentioned it. After a short search on Google I found it - it's a short story by Isaac Asimov called "Profession". There's even a copy of it online: http://www.abelard.org/asimov.php
It drives me nuts when I can't remember those things! I'm glad I could find it. I would highly recommend Asimov's short stories and novels. Quite excellent.

[Cathy]

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I just haven't been clear and it's really a good resource. You can enter a few words into a search box and it will bring up the books that have already been identified that have those words anywhere in quite a long description, similar to when you "find" a word on a web page and it highlights the search terms. I very quickly found a book from when I was a kid by remembering only one character's name and the word telepathy. Not quite as handy as having someone terrific like Marissa say, "I found it!" but still a very good resource. I would not want to just randomly browse for results, either. I'm so glad you found the book, Joy :)

[Joy H.]

Marissa wrote: "I knew I had read this story before the minute you had mentioned it. After a short search on Google I found it - it's a short story by Isaac Asimov called "Profession". There's even a copy of it online: http://www.abelard.org/asimov.php ..."

Thank you very much, Marissa! I'm so pleased that you were able to identify the story. I telephoned my son and told him that you had not only identified the story, but that you've also located it online. He was so excited to hear the news. Now he wants to reread the story and refresh his memory about it. Many, many thanks!

[Joy H.]

Catherine wrote: "...it's really a good resource. You can enter a few words into a search box and it will bring up the books that have already been identified that have those words anywhere..."

Catherine, thank you for the tips. I'll remember them.

[Melisa]

Becky wrote: "You could also try www.Abesbooks.com Book Sleuth area. They are very helpful as well."

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I've had very good luck finding forgotten books on this site: http://www.loganberrybooks.com/solved...
There is a search box, and I've found books that I read 30 years ago from ..."

I'm not the original poster, but I wanted to thank you for the link you posted. I was just now able to find a book I've been searching for for years by just two words - the author's FIRST name and the word mirror! I tried several of the "forgotten book" type websites before with no luck. Thank you Becky!