Added by: Maria | Karma: 3098.81 | Periodicals | 22 June 2008
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Millions of years of evolution have endowed Homo sapiens with remarkable intellect. But not all human brains are created equal.
From the great powers of memory seen in savants to the skills of chess grandmasters, unusual talents can offer a unique window on how the mind works. This exclusive online issue examines genius in some of its most intriguing forms.
Meet Kim Peek, whose abilities provided the inspiration for the character Raymond Babbit in the movie Rain Man. Peek’s severe developmental disabilities prevent him from managing the chores of daily life, but he has learned 9,000 books by heart so far, among other astonishing feats of memory. Other savants have musical or artistic talents.
Less well known than savant syndrome is Williams syndrome, a disorder in which affected individuals generally score below average on standard IQ tests, but often possess startling language and music skills, as another article in this issue describes. Mood disorders, too, have been linked to genius: it seems that manic-depressive illness and major depression can enhance creativity in some people.
Other articles focus on gifted children. These youngsters fascinate with their precocious intellect, but they often suffer ridicule and neglect. They also tend to be keenly aware of the potential risk of failure, which can prove emotionally paralyzing for them. Studies of such children have provided key insights into brain development—and revealed how best to nurture their extraordinary minds.
Our final article in the issue considers whether some geniuses are made, not born. Dissections of the mental processes of chess grandmasters have shown that their skills arise from years of “effortful study”—continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond their competence. Could comparable training turn any one of us into such an expert? Food for thought.--The Editors
Singing Songs 2, the second especial issue released by The teacher's magazine, presents new songs designed for English teachers working with kindergarten and primary school students. This new issue includes 12 songs and their karaoke versions for students to sing along and also suggested activities.
PC WORLD is the best-selling monthly computer magazine in
America with over 6.2 million readers devoted to personal computing and
related technology. Each issue is loaded with in-depth special reports
and authoritative news stories, how-to's and tips, new PC trends,
technologies, the Internet, and more.
HarvardBusinessReview publishes new and authoritative ideas for improving the practice of management. Written by leading business thinkers and executives, HBR gives readers a first look at cutting-edge ideas and their real-world applications in areas like strategy, leadership, marketing, team management, and professional development. Each monthly issue presents groundbreaking research, analysis of the forces shaping the business agenda, and proven best practices designed to help individuals and organizations lead, manage, and compete more effectively and with greater purpose. The October2007 issue features: "The Institutional Yes: The HBR Interview with Jeff Bezos," "The Chief Strategy Officer," "Making Judgment Calls," "Realizing the Promise of Personalized Medicine," and "The Art of Designing Markets."