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> So, to say that maybe the answer is motivation, is not as much of an answer as it used to be. Definitely. It's sad that these outside factors influence somet

> So, to say that maybe the answer is motivation, is not as much of an answer as it used to be. Definitely. It's sad that these outside factors influence something so important, but that doesn't change the fact that some people are motivated and some are not, does it?

danans 12y ago
I think the point is that there are systemic factors that affect motivation that far swamp out an individual's drive, especially in their formative years. These can include, but are not limited to: violence and trauma in one's community and family, lack of reliable parents or positive role models in one's community, childhood economic pressure towards physical survival and meeting basic day-to-day needs. These are all things that individuals born into poverty in the US face at disproportionate levels, and they can have a negative effect on motivation. We generally don't fault people for the very harsh circumstances they are born into.
- deedubaya 12y ago
  Yes, I understand that the PC thing to do is to not fault people for such things. But the fact remains, which sucks, but still. Where do we draw the line? I was attacked by a dog when I was a child which was very violent and traumatic for me. I also grew up "are we going to eat tonight" poor. Do I qualify?
  - snowwrestler 12y ago
    This isn't about you. It's about how we use scientific knowledge to make better policy decisions. We learned that people need vitamin C to prevent scurvy; now we have government policies and cultural norms that make sure that every child gets enough vitamin C. As our scientific understanding of brain development grows, we'll (hopefully) develop norms and policies to make sure kids get what they need there too. You can see today the early stages of that process with respect to exercise, and more recently, sleep.
snowwrestler 12y ago
Not now, but it could in the future if it changes how we make choices about society and policy.

danans 12y ago

I think the point is that there are systemic factors that affect motivation that far swamp out an individual's drive, especially in their formative years. These can include, but are not limited to: violence and trauma in one's community and family, lack of reliable parents or positive role models in one's community, childhood economic pressure towards physical survival and meeting basic day-to-day needs. These are all things that individuals born into poverty in the US face at disproportionate levels, and they can have a negative effect on motivation. We generally don't fault people for the very harsh circumstances they are born into.

deedubaya 12y ago
Yes, I understand that the PC thing to do is to not fault people for such things. But the fact remains, which sucks, but still. Where do we draw the line? I was attacked by a dog when I was a child which was very violent and traumatic for me. I also grew up "are we going to eat tonight" poor. Do I qualify?
- snowwrestler 12y ago
  This isn't about you. It's about how we use scientific knowledge to make better policy decisions. We learned that people need vitamin C to prevent scurvy; now we have government policies and cultural norms that make sure that every child gets enough vitamin C. As our scientific understanding of brain development grows, we'll (hopefully) develop norms and policies to make sure kids get what they need there too. You can see today the early stages of that process with respect to exercise, and more recently, sleep.

snowwrestler 12y ago

Not now, but it could in the future if it changes how we make choices about society and policy.