The Genetics of Staying in School by Ed Yong at The Atlantic is just about the most accessible piece I’ve ever seen on the “nature/nurture” debate.

It’s an analysis of a new study analyzing the role of some genes in educational attainment. Both the study, and the article (and the FAQ accompanying the study) point out the critical role that environment plays in influencing the role of genes.

Here’s a short excerpt:

Nature-and-nurture-are

 

It’s a good companion to ‘Peak’: An Interview With Anders Ericsson & Robert Pool, the piece I did in Education Week Teacher with the researchers behind the so-called 10,ooo hour rule.