What we know is what we do.

Summary

The text discusses the influence of prior knowledge and genetics on our ability to learn new skills and information.

Abstract

The article suggests that our capacity to acquire new knowledge or abilities is significantly shaped by our genetic predispositions and the existing neural connections formed early in life. It posits that learning is easier when it builds upon what we already know, as seen in the example of language acquisition for those already fluent in a related language. The author emphasizes the importance of early education, noting that the brain's plasticity decreases with age, making it more challenging to form new synapses after the age of 30. The article challenges readers to consider the implications of these insights on their learning processes and patterns of behavior.

Opinions

Learning new things can be difficult due to genetic factors and prior knowledge.
People tend to act based on established patterns of knowledge, which can be hard to change.
Decision-making is influenced by the information we possess, potentially leading to repetition of mistakes.
Individuals with a background in a specific area, such as language or programming, can more easily learn related skills.
The most crucial neural connections for learning are formed early in life, with brain plasticity decreasing after around 30 years of age.
Early childhood education is crucial for maximizing the brain's potential for learning and adaptability.

What we know is what we do.

Sometimes we found very difficult to learn new things and this seems to be related to our genes and what we already know. Our first brain connections define what we can do later or on what we could be good at.

For a normal person, with average IQ is difficult to fly a plane if that person has nothing to do it this type of activity. It is not something related to something that you already know that is very hard to learn it.

We mostly act based on what we know and this happens with people and relationships too. We always follow the same pattern, it will take a considerable amount of time to deconstruct what is already there. Our decisions are also based on the information we have, so if they are bad then we continue making the same mistakes following the same pattern, so there is no wonder that we can do most of the time things differently.

For someone who is good with languages and knows Italian, can easily learn Spanish, Portuguese and other related to it, or for someone that knows Java as a programming language can learn any other Python, C#, etc..

We need a lot of patience to be able to learn things totally new to us. The most important synapses are created until 30 years, everything that comes later we need to make some room for other synapses.

That’s why it is so important to learn as many things as we can when we are kids because later on is not so doable with all the brain plasticity that was been proven to be right and exists, the brain can change itself and learn what is needed. So, what do you think about this?