This is on topic, imo, because it relates to the process by which I work. But if wider reflections upset you, please stop reading now. I will not tolerate complaints about this being off topic. Nor will I tolerate "rebuttals" or rants of any kind. Violate this and you will be banned without further warning.
The only acceptable responses to this thread will be *links* to thoughtful, *calm*, and intelligent discussion of important topics. I'll be the sole judge of what is acceptable. I am in the middle of reading a truly important book: The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong http://www.amazon.com/Genius-All-Us-Everything-Genetics/dp/0385523653 http://geniusblog.davidshenk.com/ This is a book of science as it relates to human accomplishment. About half of the book consists of extended notes and citations. I highly recommend it to anyone. There are many take-away messages in this book. Chief among them is that talent is a process, not a fixed endowment. Anyone and everyone can (does!) have multiple talents: what is required to develop a talent is the right kind of work, described as deliberate practice. In deliberate practice, one consciously chooses to expand boundaries. Doing so will inevitably lead to failures to accomplish what one sets out to do. But this is to be expected! Indeed, in the context of deliberate practice, failure is evidence that one is on the correct path! Contrast this with the more typical view of talent as an endowment or gift. In this view, "failure" becomes evidence that one does *not* have what it takes! Folks, the difference between these two points of view is stupendous. Once one understands the kind of work required, one can focus on doing more of that work. My new mantra is: work harder! Here are two interesting TED Talks that relate to the issues raised in the book. Srikumar Rao: Plug into your hard-wired happiness http://www.ted.com/talks/srikumar_rao_plug_into_your_hard_wired_happiness.html The take-away message: focus on the process of reaching your goals, not on the outcome. If you do that, you will enjoy life regardless of outcomes. If you don't, you will set yourself up to be unhappy, even if you *do* reach your outcomes. For me, the pleasure of working on Leo happens every day. Yes, I want to accomplish my goals, but I am really no happier just after a release goes out the door than the day before :-) It's good for us goal-oriented folk to remember this from time to time :-) Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions http://www.ted.com/talks/sam_harris_science_can_show_what_s_right.html The take-away message from this talk is that science has a vital role to play in evaluating moral questions. Harris uses philosophical reasoning to extend the reach of science. Imo, Harris does a superb job. Edward -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "leo-editor" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/leo-editor?hl=en.
