Why most child prodigies don’t grow up to be stars | David Epstein
Geniuses and prodigies are captivating. But generalists rule the world.
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In the age of the child prodigy, many believe that whoever gets ahead first, stays ahead. But journalist David Epstein doesn’t buy it. He argues that slower development, contrary to popular belief, often results in more success in the long run. Human development doesn’t always follow linear progressions, making it critical to have a broad training base and conceptual framework.
To illustrate this, Epstein tells the story of Gunpei Yokoi, a Nintendo machine maintenance worker who ended up creating the Game Boy console, the best-selling console of the 20th century. Yokoi’s philosophy of "lateral thinking with withered technology" led him to his genius invention — not through specialized knowledge, or skill, but through adaptability.
In a rapidly changing world where information is widely available, having a broad view and drawing on different stores of knowledge is essential. By adopting a short-term mindset and being a generalist in a highly specialized world, individuals can develop the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Read the full video transcript: https://bigthink.com/the-well/the-cas...
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