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Learning IS brain transformation. Essentially by definition. Also, lack of exposure to novel intense experience actively prevents brain development because it

Learning IS brain transformation. Essentially by definition. Also, lack of exposure to novel intense experience actively prevents brain development because it prevents learning. This will be a growing problem as adolescents in particular lead lives which are designed to eliminate all novel stimulus and thwart every natural inclination to seek novelty. It's certainly encouraging news to see that the dropoff in neuroplasticity that comes later might be caused by the dead boring lives of industrialized adults rather than any insurmountable biological hurdle. At least, that's what I get out of this.

crispyporkbites 8y ago
but how do you know that the crazy distractions of the modern world aren't growing adolescent brains in ways yours will never grow? Throughout history adults have always looked down on children, yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements. This reminds me of something Socrates said, over 2 millenia ago: “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”
- desas 8y ago
  They should surpass us, they're stood on our shoulders after all.
  - kick_in_the_dor 8y ago
    Very elegantly put.
- kick_in_the_dor 8y ago
  "yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements" What do you consider "surpassing their parents achievements"? Sure we may be continuing the technical progress of their generation (i.e., picking up where they left off to go retire), but who's to say that given a greater lifespan, they wouldn't go on to achieve what we have? If I spent 30 years of my life developing principles of some new science, and the next generation uses these principles to make life better, are they surpassing my achievements?
- gpcz 8y ago
  The alleged Socrates quote is a mutation of some quotes in a dissertation published in 1907 where the author was summarizing common complaints about children in ancient times (src: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/ https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/ ).
- titzer 8y ago
  > Throughout history adults have always looked down on children, yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements. So far. There is some evidence that IQ has actually peaked. Some studies suggest a highly distracted, unfocused mind is actually measurably worse at important tasks: http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/Multitasking-Damages-Your-Brain-and-Your-Career,-New-Studies-Suggest-2102500909-p-1.html http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/Multitasking-Damages-You...
  - tptacek 8y ago
    Problem: it hasn't done so in the US, which is the epicenter for the distracted, unfocused lifestyle.

crispyporkbites 8y ago

but how do you know that the crazy distractions of the modern world aren't growing adolescent brains in ways yours will never grow? Throughout history adults have always looked down on children, yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements. This reminds me of something Socrates said, over 2 millenia ago: “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”

desas 8y ago
They should surpass us, they're stood on our shoulders after all.
- kick_in_the_dor 8y ago
  Very elegantly put.
kick_in_the_dor 8y ago
"yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements" What do you consider "surpassing their parents achievements"? Sure we may be continuing the technical progress of their generation (i.e., picking up where they left off to go retire), but who's to say that given a greater lifespan, they wouldn't go on to achieve what we have? If I spent 30 years of my life developing principles of some new science, and the next generation uses these principles to make life better, are they surpassing my achievements?
gpcz 8y ago
The alleged Socrates quote is a mutation of some quotes in a dissertation published in 1907 where the author was summarizing common complaints about children in ancient times (src: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/ https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/05/01/misbehave/ ).
titzer 8y ago
> Throughout history adults have always looked down on children, yet the upcoming generation always ends up surpassing their parents achievements. So far. There is some evidence that IQ has actually peaked. Some studies suggest a highly distracted, unfocused mind is actually measurably worse at important tasks: http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/Multitasking-Damages-Your-Brain-and-Your-Career,-New-Studies-Suggest-2102500909-p-1.html http://www.talentsmart.com/articles/Multitasking-Damages-You...
- tptacek 8y ago
  Problem: it hasn't done so in the US, which is the epicenter for the distracted, unfocused lifestyle.