I found this Scientific American article regarding raising "smart" kids fascinating. Thanks to Marginal Revolution for the pointer.

I had always felt a bit of this schism in school and even in the work place. I've been lucky enough to be a fast learner, but that probably had much to do with a former farmer father who thought no work was beneath him and therefor no level of hard work was too hard. He and my mother didn't know they were giving me this advice, but in hindsight, they were.

It's probably confirmation bias, but it's very nice to be reminded that work ethic could be the largest overall influence on outcomes.

Great article, Gene.

Who woulda thunk that "practice practice" and a drive to challenge yourself would lead to a successful mindset?

Quite the contrast to the current methodology of "affirmation".