The latest issue of Scientific American has an interesting article about how studying the mental processes of chess grandmasters has revealed clues about how people become experts in other fields. Two interesting quotes from the article:
"Motivation appears to be a more important factor than innate ability in the development of expertise. It is no accident that in music, chess and sports--all domains in which expertise is defined by competitive performance rather than academic credentialing--professionalism has been emerging at ever younger ages, under the ministrations of increasingly dedicated parents and even extended families."
"Ericsson argues that what matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study', which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time."
Thanks to my friend Tom for pointing me to this article.
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=00010347-101C-14C1-8F9E83414B7F4945
"Motivation appears to be a more important factor than innate ability in the development of expertise. It is no accident that in music, chess and sports--all domains in which expertise is defined by competitive performance rather than academic credentialing--professionalism has been emerging at ever younger ages, under the ministrations of increasingly dedicated parents and even extended families."
"Ericsson argues that what matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study', which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time."
Thanks to my friend Tom for pointing me to this article.
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=00010347-101C-14C1-8F9E83414B7F4945
posted by howtolive.org at
7:43 AM
1 Comments:
"As a child and a boy you were serious rather than childish and when you sat at the clavier or were otherwise intent on music, no one dared to have the slightest jest with you."
Letter from Leopold Mozart to his son Wolfgang, Feb 16, 1778.
Since the topic is how to live, not merely how to acheive, the next line of the letter is equally interesting:
"Why, even your expression was so solemn that, observing the early efflorescence of your talent and your ever grave and thoughtful little face, many discerning people of different countries sadly doubted whether your life would be a long one."
By
miguel, at 12:56 PM
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