Re: [xmca] Fwd: "The Tip of the Hippocampus"(!)

[Huw Lloyd <huw.softdesigns@gmail.com>]

On 26 November 2012 05:27, Greg Thompson <greg.a.thompson@gmail.com> wrote:

> And very closely related, I heard author Paul Tough out here on RadioWest
> last week and was really troubled by it. He weds neuro-discourses with
> "character" education (but in a different guise). The radio show turned out
> to be not as painful as I had expected, but painful nonetheless.
>
> His big argument was an argument that I always find fascinating because it
> sounds good but also feels very, well, icky. The argument goes like this:
> people in bad circumstances (think "inner-city" America) have their brain
> chemistry affected by the terrible circumstances that they live in. As a
> result, we shouldn't blame them for their inability to exhibit intentional
> control over their actions (e.g., their tendency to "fly off the handle").
>
> What do others think?
>

It's a typological error.  Brain chemistry is only relevant in the same way
as fuel is relevant for driving.

Huw


>
> His book is titled How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden
> Power of Character, and it is currently #222 on Amazon's list of
> bestselling books.
>
> The audio for the program that I heard can be found at:
> http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/how-children-succeed
>
> Anyway, I'd love to hear other's thoughts, esp. with the problematic nature
> of this discourse. It feels icky, but I can't quite put my finger on why.
> Would appreciate others' criticisms and concerns.
>
> -greg
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 11:51 AM, mike cole <lchcmike@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > This article from the NY Times was forwarded it to me. I thought it might
> > be of interest to others on the list.
> > mike
> >
> >
> > Date: 2012/11/25
> > Subject: "The Tip of the Hippocampus"(!)
> >
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>
> --
> Gregory A. Thompson, Ph.D.
> Visiting Assistant Professor
> Department of Anthropology
> 883 Spencer W. Kimball Tower
> Brigham Young University
> Provo, UT 84602
> http://byu.academia.edu/GregoryThompson
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