Press "Enter" to skip to content

IQ The Educational Elephant in the Room | Richard Summers | TEDxBrighton


so my clearest memories of primary

so my clearest memories of primary school and you can guess from the title

school and you can guess from the title

school and you can guess from the title is we’re going to talk about my clearest

is we’re going to talk about my clearest

is we’re going to talk about my clearest memories are of sexual molestation

memories are of sexual molestation

memories are of sexual molestation physical violence and emotional cruelty

physical violence and emotional cruelty

physical violence and emotional cruelty and for me I always look back when I

and for me I always look back when I

and for me I always look back when I talk to my peers have helped my

talk to my peers have helped my

talk to my peers have helped my schooling and I feel that what I

schooling and I feel that what I

schooling and I feel that what I experienced was closer to a Dickens

experienced was closer to a Dickens

experienced was closer to a Dickens novel than what most people do it listen

novel than what most people do it listen

novel than what most people do it listen far obviously inside me I had a mantra

far obviously inside me I had a mantra

far obviously inside me I had a mantra if only I was stronger

if only I was stronger

if only I was stronger if only I was smarter and that kind of

if only I was smarter and that kind of

if only I was smarter and that kind of that mantra although it’s very unstable

that mantra although it’s very unstable

that mantra although it’s very unstable and it’s very misguided obviously what

and it’s very misguided obviously what

and it’s very misguided obviously what happened to me had nothing to do about

happened to me had nothing to do about

happened to me had nothing to do about being strong or by about being smart and

being strong or by about being smart and

being strong or by about being smart and it also has nothing about being happy

it also has nothing about being happy

it also has nothing about being happy which is what I then dedicated my life

which is what I then dedicated my life

which is what I then dedicated my life to is how do I help other children other

to is how do I help other children other

to is how do I help other children other people get stronger and smarter so they

people get stronger and smarter so they

people get stronger and smarter so they can be happier but what I find

can be happier but what I find

can be happier but what I find interesting is I’m luckily or wisely I

interesting is I’m luckily or wisely I

interesting is I’m luckily or wisely I don’t really know how it happened I made

don’t really know how it happened I made

don’t really know how it happened I made my life about trying to achieve that for

my life about trying to achieve that for

my life about trying to achieve that for other people and even though I had this

other people and even though I had this

other people and even though I had this sort of misguided sense of the world

sort of misguided sense of the world

sort of misguided sense of the world where I was trying to go it put me on

where I was trying to go it put me on

where I was trying to go it put me on this amazing journey which has been

this amazing journey which has been

this amazing journey which has been incredibly diverse and I hope it’s a

incredibly diverse and I hope it’s a

incredibly diverse and I hope it’s a unique perspective on the world and it’s

unique perspective on the world and it’s

unique perspective on the world and it’s taken in all sorts of areas so I’m a

taken in all sorts of areas so I’m a

taken in all sorts of areas so I’m a scientist I’m a entrepreneur I’ve been

scientist I’m a entrepreneur I’ve been

scientist I’m a entrepreneur I’ve been an educator and yes I’ve even worked as

an educator and yes I’ve even worked as

an educator and yes I’ve even worked as a martial artist and an anti-terrorism

a martial artist and an anti-terrorism

a martial artist and an anti-terrorism trainer I’ve got to work with Stephen

trainer I’ve got to work with Stephen

trainer I’ve got to work with Stephen Hawking which was a great privilege when

Hawking which was a great privilege when

Hawking which was a great privilege when I was at Cambridge I have traveled the

I was at Cambridge I have traveled the

I was at Cambridge I have traveled the world and worked with all sorts of elite

world and worked with all sorts of elite

world and worked with all sorts of elite forces and tried to save lives there but

forces and tried to save lives there but

forces and tried to save lives there but I’ve also traveled to Libya and seen

I’ve also traveled to Libya and seen

I’ve also traveled to Libya and seen firsthand what that was like when

firsthand what that was like when

firsthand what that was like when Colonel Qaddafi was in power so I’ve

Colonel Qaddafi was in power so I’ve

Colonel Qaddafi was in power so I’ve been into a number of places and where

been into a number of places and where

been into a number of places and where that’s led me now is is I now run a

that’s led me now is is I now run a

that’s led me now is is I now run a company I spend most of my days running

company I spend most of my days running

company I spend most of my days running a company what we do is roll back the

a company what we do is roll back the

a company what we do is roll back the great mysteries of how the brain works

great mysteries of how the brain works

great mysteries of how the brain works and we do in a way that you wouldn’t

and we do in a way that you wouldn’t

and we do in a way that you wouldn’t imagine you’d think that was some sort

imagine you’d think that was some sort

imagine you’d think that was some sort of education business and it’s not we

of education business and it’s not we

of education business and it’s not we work in digital marketing what we do is

work in digital marketing what we do is

work in digital marketing what we do is we map and measure and respond to the

we map and measure and respond to the

we map and measure and respond to the cognitive processes that consumers go

cognitive processes that consumers go

cognitive processes that consumers go through as they interact with brands but

through as they interact with brands but

through as they interact with brands but interestingly

interestingly

interestingly we get to work with as many as 26

we get to work with as many as 26

we get to work with as many as 26 million people in a day and it’s it’s

million people in a day and it’s it’s

million people in a day and it’s it’s kind of like a lab on a scale that’s

kind of like a lab on a scale that’s

kind of like a lab on a scale that’s utterly unprecedented and it gives me

utterly unprecedented and it gives me

utterly unprecedented and it gives me the chance to it’s kind of a dream come

the chance to it’s kind of a dream come

the chance to it’s kind of a dream come true to look into the mysteries that

true to look into the mysteries that

true to look into the mysteries that kind of always perplexed me before I got

kind of always perplexed me before I got

kind of always perplexed me before I got into this area because they just didn’t

into this area because they just didn’t

into this area because they just didn’t have enough information or data to solve

have enough information or data to solve

have enough information or data to solve them and what I want to talk about today

them and what I want to talk about today

them and what I want to talk about today is what I call the elephant in the room

is what I call the elephant in the room

is what I call the elephant in the room with education it’s something that has

with education it’s something that has

with education it’s something that has been dear to my heart for well I mean

been dear to my heart for well I mean

been dear to my heart for well I mean since the beginning but this particular

since the beginning but this particular

since the beginning but this particular topic for at least 10 years and what I

topic for at least 10 years and what I

topic for at least 10 years and what I think is true is that there’s a problem

think is true is that there’s a problem

think is true is that there’s a problem at the heart of education that we all

at the heart of education that we all

at the heart of education that we all know we know that although it works for

know we know that although it works for

know we know that although it works for some for many it crushes creativity and

some for many it crushes creativity and

some for many it crushes creativity and it destroys their confidence and the

it destroys their confidence and the

it destroys their confidence and the reason for that or one of the reasons I

reason for that or one of the reasons I

reason for that or one of the reasons I believe is that about 30 years ago

believe is that about 30 years ago

believe is that about 30 years ago essentially IQ was trying to tell us

essentially IQ was trying to tell us

essentially IQ was trying to tell us something we didn’t want to listen we

something we didn’t want to listen we

something we didn’t want to listen we didn’t want to hear what it was trying

didn’t want to hear what it was trying

didn’t want to hear what it was trying to tell us because it seems so

to tell us because it seems so

to tell us because it seems so unpalatable and so because we wanted

unpalatable and so because we wanted

unpalatable and so because we wanted lives to be better for our kids we kind

lives to be better for our kids we kind

lives to be better for our kids we kind of ignored it we didn’t know you might

of ignored it we didn’t know you might

of ignored it we didn’t know you might not know directly that’s what you did

not know directly that’s what you did

not know directly that’s what you did but that’s what happened and ever since

but that’s what happened and ever since

but that’s what happened and ever since then we’ve been kind of making mistake

then we’ve been kind of making mistake

then we’ve been kind of making mistake after mistake in education what I want

after mistake in education what I want

after mistake in education what I want to do today is to take you on a journey

to do today is to take you on a journey

to do today is to take you on a journey I want to turn the world upside down I

I want to turn the world upside down I

I want to turn the world upside down I want to talk go straight into that

want to talk go straight into that

want to talk go straight into that uncomfortable place with what IQ is

uncomfortable place with what IQ is

uncomfortable place with what IQ is telling us but then to show you that if

telling us but then to show you that if

telling us but then to show you that if you’ve got the courage to sit with that

you’ve got the courage to sit with that

you’ve got the courage to sit with that to not try and deny it but also to not

to not try and deny it but also to not

to not try and deny it but also to not accept it straight away there’s a

accept it straight away there’s a

accept it straight away there’s a journey through that and interesting or

journey through that and interesting or

journey through that and interesting or I found is that journey goes back to

I found is that journey goes back to

I found is that journey goes back to what we all know is true what we really

what we all know is true what we really

what we all know is true what we really want for our kids and what we know is

want for our kids and what we know is

want for our kids and what we know is right for if you like for education so I

right for if you like for education so I

right for if you like for education so I suppose the best place to start is well

suppose the best place to start is well

suppose the best place to start is well what is IQ and it’s obviously a very

what is IQ and it’s obviously a very

what is IQ and it’s obviously a very well-known thing it is basic your

well-known thing it is basic your

well-known thing it is basic your general intelligence your ability to

general intelligence your ability to

general intelligence your ability to solve problems the average is a hundred

solve problems the average is a hundred

solve problems the average is a hundred most people range from 85 to 115 and

most people range from 85 to 115 and

most people range from 85 to 115 and there’s the odd genius out there one in

there’s the odd genius out there one in

there’s the odd genius out there one in a million that’s over 170 and so what

a million that’s over 170 and so what

a million that’s over 170 and so what does IQ why is it so important because

does IQ why is it so important because

does IQ why is it so important because it’s the most predictive psychometric

it’s the most predictive psychometric

it’s the most predictive psychometric that’s ever been discovered it strongly

that’s ever been discovered it strongly

that’s ever been discovered it strongly predicts your peak income for instance

predicts your peak income for instance

predicts your peak income for instance it even predicts how likely you are to

it even predicts how likely you are to

it even predicts how likely you are to get divorced and Moe

get divorced and Moe

get divorced and Moe significantly it is incredibly strongly

significantly it is incredibly strongly

significantly it is incredibly strongly correlated with your academic

correlated with your academic

correlated with your academic performance so what’s the problem the

performance so what’s the problem the

performance so what’s the problem the problem is really simple IQ is basically

problem is really simple IQ is basically

problem is really simple IQ is basically inherited how do we know that well we

inherited how do we know that well we

inherited how do we know that well we knew that 30 years ago by studying what

knew that 30 years ago by studying what

knew that 30 years ago by studying what happens to twins for instance when

happens to twins for instance when

happens to twins for instance when they’re adopted and brought up in

they’re adopted and brought up in

they’re adopted and brought up in different families obviously if they’re

different families obviously if they’re

different families obviously if they’re brought up in the same family by

brought up in the same family by

brought up in the same family by comparing it and by doing that they

comparing it and by doing that they

comparing it and by doing that they created studies that could show which

created studies that could show which

created studies that could show which bits of your IQ came from your genes

bits of your IQ came from your genes

bits of your IQ came from your genes which bits came from your family from

which bits came from your family from

which bits came from your family from your parents putting input in and which

your parents putting input in and which

your parents putting input in and which bit came from your school essentially

bit came from your school essentially

bit came from your school essentially and the most interesting of those I find

and the most interesting of those I find

and the most interesting of those I find is this one which was a fantastic study

is this one which was a fantastic study

is this one which was a fantastic study that looked at a group of I think it was

that looked at a group of I think it was

that looked at a group of I think it was 250 children roughly through their

250 children roughly through their

250 children roughly through their lifetime and what I find the most scary

lifetime and what I find the most scary

lifetime and what I find the most scary thing about this is if you look at the

thing about this is if you look at the

thing about this is if you look at the age of five as a parent you’re

age of five as a parent you’re

age of five as a parent you’re contributing hugely maybe not the

contributing hugely maybe not the

contributing hugely maybe not the dominant thing to you almost as equally

dominant thing to you almost as equally

dominant thing to you almost as equally to to their genes in terms of their IQ

to to their genes in terms of their IQ

to to their genes in terms of their IQ but the message here if you look at the

but the message here if you look at the

but the message here if you look at the chart sort of goes downwards it’s not

chart sort of goes downwards it’s not

chart sort of goes downwards it’s not just that as the child approaches 12

just that as the child approaches 12

just that as the child approaches 12 we’re no longer in putting into their IQ

we’re no longer in putting into their IQ

we’re no longer in putting into their IQ it’s that our input has been completely

it’s that our input has been completely

it’s that our input has been completely wiped out now the thing is with IQ is

wiped out now the thing is with IQ is

wiped out now the thing is with IQ is you don’t need infinite amounts of it in

you don’t need infinite amounts of it in

you don’t need infinite amounts of it in fact by the time you reach 115 points

fact by the time you reach 115 points

fact by the time you reach 115 points you can pretty much do anything you want

you can pretty much do anything you want

you can pretty much do anything you want so IQ is really predictive between 85

so IQ is really predictive between 85

so IQ is really predictive between 85 and 105 where most of us fit the problem

and 105 where most of us fit the problem

and 105 where most of us fit the problem is yes if we could raise IQ on average

is yes if we could raise IQ on average

is yes if we could raise IQ on average in education by 15 points then lives

in education by 15 points then lives

in education by 15 points then lives would be transformed but science is

would be transformed but science is

would be transformed but science is telling us you can only raise it by

telling us you can only raise it by

telling us you can only raise it by about four points and reality is saying

about four points and reality is saying

about four points and reality is saying you’re not even doing that so what do I

you’re not even doing that so what do I

you’re not even doing that so what do I mean by reality one of the things we do

mean by reality one of the things we do

mean by reality one of the things we do with schools is we rank them through SAT

with schools is we rank them through SAT

with schools is we rank them through SAT tests the standardized academic tests

tests the standardized academic tests

tests the standardized academic tests they correlate very well with IQ and we

they correlate very well with IQ and we

they correlate very well with IQ and we use that as somehow a way of

use that as somehow a way of

use that as somehow a way of benchmarking how good a school is but

benchmarking how good a school is but

benchmarking how good a school is but what we’re actually doing is

what we’re actually doing is

what we’re actually doing is benchmarking how smart the children were

benchmarking how smart the children were

benchmarking how smart the children were always destined to be in terms of IQ

always destined to be in terms of IQ

always destined to be in terms of IQ when they entered the school and when

when they entered the school and when

when they entered the school and when they left the school it’s all the same

they left the school it’s all the same

they left the school it’s all the same now if we take that away if we just look

now if we take that away if we just look

now if we take that away if we just look at what’s the difference between when

at what’s the difference between when

at what’s the difference between when the children enter the school and when

the children enter the school and when

the children enter the school and when they leave the school we get a radically

they leave the school we get a radically

they leave the school we get a radically different picture between the bottom two

different picture between the bottom two

different picture between the bottom two percent of schools and

percent of schools and

percent of schools and top 2% of schools there is only a six

top 2% of schools there is only a six

top 2% of schools there is only a six and a half percent swing in performance

and a half percent swing in performance

and a half percent swing in performance now I don’t know if that sounds

now I don’t know if that sounds

now I don’t know if that sounds significant it should be a hundred

significant it should be a hundred

significant it should be a hundred percent it should be two hundred percent

percent it should be two hundred percent

percent it should be two hundred percent it should be massive but it isn’t it’s

it should be massive but it isn’t it’s

it should be massive but it isn’t it’s tiny and that’s practically saying

tiny and that’s practically saying

tiny and that’s practically saying something that is very difficult to hear

something that is very difficult to hear

something that is very difficult to hear we’re born with a certain amount of IQ

we’re born with a certain amount of IQ

we’re born with a certain amount of IQ or destined to have a certain amount of

or destined to have a certain amount of

or destined to have a certain amount of IQ that determines a certain amount of

IQ that determines a certain amount of

IQ that determines a certain amount of factors one of those is how well you’re

factors one of those is how well you’re

factors one of those is how well you’re going to do at school and there is

going to do at school and there is

going to do at school and there is nothing you can do from the day that

nothing you can do from the day that

nothing you can do from the day that you’re born to the day you finish school

you’re born to the day you finish school

you’re born to the day you finish school to change that very much now there’ll

to change that very much now there’ll

to change that very much now there’ll always be exceptions to that rule but

always be exceptions to that rule but

always be exceptions to that rule but I’m talking about the rule of the

I’m talking about the rule of the

I’m talking about the rule of the average and yet we’re using that to

average and yet we’re using that to

average and yet we’re using that to measure the performance of Education so

measure the performance of Education so

measure the performance of Education so that’s what I mean by the dark place the

that’s what I mean by the dark place the

that’s what I mean by the dark place the place that was unpalatable and we didn’t

place that was unpalatable and we didn’t

place that was unpalatable and we didn’t want to go now what’s interesting to me

want to go now what’s interesting to me

want to go now what’s interesting to me as a neuroscientist is it’s the last

as a neuroscientist is it’s the last

as a neuroscientist is it’s the last thing I would ever expect to be true of

thing I would ever expect to be true of

thing I would ever expect to be true of the human brain that there would be this

the human brain that there would be this

the human brain that there would be this one parameter this one thing that could

one parameter this one thing that could

one parameter this one thing that could measure your intelligence there’s a sort

measure your intelligence there’s a sort

measure your intelligence there’s a sort of a single number and I don’t mean that

of a single number and I don’t mean that

of a single number and I don’t mean that from kind of my heart place that I look

from kind of my heart place that I look

from kind of my heart place that I look around me and there’s such diversity in

around me and there’s such diversity in

around me and there’s such diversity in the world of people that’s true too but

the world of people that’s true too but

the world of people that’s true too but the brain isn’t really built in a way

the brain isn’t really built in a way

the brain isn’t really built in a way that you’d think that would work so just

that you’d think that would work so just

that you’d think that would work so just as a starting point I just want to bring

as a starting point I just want to bring

as a starting point I just want to bring across the power of the brain so when I

across the power of the brain so when I

across the power of the brain so when I started in computers the be the most

started in computers the be the most

started in computers the be the most powerful computer world is a Cray – it’s

powerful computer world is a Cray – it’s

powerful computer world is a Cray – it’s shown up there at the moment it was this

shown up there at the moment it was this

shown up there at the moment it was this massive thing at least fill the stage

massive thing at least fill the stage

massive thing at least fill the stage probably more it was so powerful it had

probably more it was so powerful it had

probably more it was so powerful it had to have liquid nitrogen to cool its

to have liquid nitrogen to cool its

to have liquid nitrogen to cool its cause and it’s roughly the power of the

cause and it’s roughly the power of the

cause and it’s roughly the power of the iPhone 6 in your pocket today right now

iPhone 6 in your pocket today right now

iPhone 6 in your pocket today right now if the iPhone 6 is a walking pace in

if the iPhone 6 is a walking pace in

if the iPhone 6 is a walking pace in terms of computers then it would take

terms of computers then it would take

terms of computers then it would take you about a year to walk from here to

you about a year to walk from here to

you about a year to walk from here to Sydney as you’ll foot touch the pavement

Sydney as you’ll foot touch the pavement

Sydney as you’ll foot touch the pavement on your first step your brain would go

on your first step your brain would go

on your first step your brain would go around the world 200,000 times that’s

around the world 200,000 times that’s

around the world 200,000 times that’s the difference between your iPhone 6 and

the difference between your iPhone 6 and

the difference between your iPhone 6 and what you’re carrying in your head right

what you’re carrying in your head right

what you’re carrying in your head right now it’s absolutely vast but even more

now it’s absolutely vast but even more

now it’s absolutely vast but even more interestingly it’s so diverse it’s

interestingly it’s so diverse it’s

interestingly it’s so diverse it’s nothing it’s the last thing you would

nothing it’s the last thing you would

nothing it’s the last thing you would expect from what I just told you you’re

expect from what I just told you you’re

expect from what I just told you you’re not one computer you’re a hundred

not one computer you’re a hundred

not one computer you’re a hundred billion computers and in fact the

billion computers and in fact the

billion computers and in fact the intelligence that you are is encoded in

intelligence that you are is encoded in

intelligence that you are is encoded in a hundred trillion connections between

a hundred trillion connections between

a hundred trillion connections between those computers are those connections

those computers are those connections

those computers are those connections built from your genes no they’re not

built from your genes no they’re not

built from your genes no they’re not they’re built on a user or lose it

they’re built on a user or lose it

they’re built on a user or lose it principle in fact your brain goes

principle in fact your brain goes

principle in fact your brain goes through the equivalent of a trillion

through the equivalent of a trillion

through the equivalent of a trillion years of human evolution

years of human evolution

years of human evolution over its lifetime it’s also a very it’s

over its lifetime it’s also a very it’s

over its lifetime it’s also a very it’s got lots of little localized clusters of

got lots of little localized clusters of

got lots of little localized clusters of things that work so there’s a little bit

things that work so there’s a little bit

things that work so there’s a little bit that deals with grammar and there’s a

that deals with grammar and there’s a

that deals with grammar and there’s a little bit that deals with recognizing

little bit that deals with recognizing

little bit that deals with recognizing faces and there are hundreds of these

faces and there are hundreds of these

faces and there are hundreds of these centers across the brain so when you

centers across the brain so when you

centers across the brain so when you look at it you wouldn’t think that there

look at it you wouldn’t think that there

look at it you wouldn’t think that there would be a single measure of

would be a single measure of

would be a single measure of intelligence you’d think that where

intelligence you’d think that where

intelligence you’d think that where there would be thousands and they would

there would be thousands and they would

there would be thousands and they would be based on the environment not on

be based on the environment not on

be based on the environment not on genetics now by the work that I’ve done

genetics now by the work that I’ve done

genetics now by the work that I’ve done and simply the number of people we’ve

and simply the number of people we’ve

and simply the number of people we’ve been able to unlock this a little bit

been able to unlock this a little bit

been able to unlock this a little bit further and then to understand other

further and then to understand other

further and then to understand other studies that have been there about kind

studies that have been there about kind

studies that have been there about kind of other properties that people have and

of other properties that people have and

of other properties that people have and in fact what we’ve discovering what

in fact what we’ve discovering what

in fact what we’ve discovering what we’re working with is they’re actually

we’re working with is they’re actually

we’re working with is they’re actually three sorts of intelligence one is

three sorts of intelligence one is

three sorts of intelligence one is abstraction intelligence what we’ve been

abstraction intelligence what we’ve been

abstraction intelligence what we’ve been talking about the ability to layer

talking about the ability to layer

talking about the ability to layer abstract ideas IQ problem-solving then

abstract ideas IQ problem-solving then

abstract ideas IQ problem-solving then there’s artists and our ability to learn

there’s artists and our ability to learn

there’s artists and our ability to learn new things whether that’s chess music

new things whether that’s chess music

new things whether that’s chess music you know do all those skills that we can

you know do all those skills that we can

you know do all those skills that we can pick up and then complex the

pick up and then complex the

pick up and then complex the intelligence which is the last thing you

intelligence which is the last thing you

intelligence which is the last thing you expect it to mean if it’s social it’s

expect it to mean if it’s social it’s

expect it to mean if it’s social it’s more like an emotional intelligence and

more like an emotional intelligence and

more like an emotional intelligence and if it’s kind of pointed inwards it’s an

if it’s kind of pointed inwards it’s an

if it’s kind of pointed inwards it’s an aesthetic intelligence so like I said

aesthetic intelligence so like I said

aesthetic intelligence so like I said not quite what you might expect and

not quite what you might expect and

not quite what you might expect and although you can’t study them exactly

although you can’t study them exactly

although you can’t study them exactly we’ve worked out a huge amount about

we’ve worked out a huge amount about

we’ve worked out a huge amount about these and being able to relate them to

these and being able to relate them to

these and being able to relate them to various functions and studies around the

various functions and studies around the

various functions and studies around the brain now the first thing I cover off is

brain now the first thing I cover off is

brain now the first thing I cover off is how on earth can i Q be singular and the

how on earth can i Q be singular and the

how on earth can i Q be singular and the best way I can explain that to you is

best way I can explain that to you is

best way I can explain that to you is that although the IQ test it’s

that although the IQ test it’s

that although the IQ test it’s misunderstood it’s very very test it’s

misunderstood it’s very very test it’s

misunderstood it’s very very test it’s got verbal reasoning new memory skills

got verbal reasoning new memory skills

got verbal reasoning new memory skills spatial awareness it works using your

spatial awareness it works using your

spatial awareness it works using your conscious mind all the time and by doing

conscious mind all the time and by doing

conscious mind all the time and by doing that there’s a feature it’s very hard to

that there’s a feature it’s very hard to

that there’s a feature it’s very hard to define conscious but there’s a feature

define conscious but there’s a feature

define conscious but there’s a feature you can define quite easily and that’s

you can define quite easily and that’s

you can define quite easily and that’s can be seen in these pictures if you

can be seen in these pictures if you

can be seen in these pictures if you look at the pictures you can either see

look at the pictures you can either see

look at the pictures you can either see one version or the other your mind can

one version or the other your mind can

one version or the other your mind can flip between the two but seeing both at

flip between the two but seeing both at

flip between the two but seeing both at the same time it’s pretty much

the same time it’s pretty much

the same time it’s pretty much impossible your conscious brain brings

impossible your conscious brain brings

impossible your conscious brain brings the world into a single scene it’s the

the world into a single scene it’s the

the world into a single scene it’s the most amazing thing our brain does it’s

most amazing thing our brain does it’s

most amazing thing our brain does it’s done by billions of connections bringing

done by billions of connections bringing

done by billions of connections bringing your whole neocortex your upper brain

your whole neocortex your upper brain

your whole neocortex your upper brain into synchrony in about half a second

into synchrony in about half a second

into synchrony in about half a second and IQ has to do with the performance of

and IQ has to do with the performance of

and IQ has to do with the performance of that system which is why it’s a single

that system which is why it’s a single

that system which is why it’s a single measure now let’s go to something else

measure now let’s go to something else

measure now let’s go to something else art design intelligence the clearest bit

art design intelligence the clearest bit

art design intelligence the clearest bit of information I give you about that is

of information I give you about that is

of information I give you about that is when scientists studied what I call

when scientists studied what I call

when scientists studied what I call skill athletes chess players muse

skill athletes chess players muse

skill athletes chess players muse Editions and they look to the difference

Editions and they look to the difference

Editions and they look to the difference between the world’s best and the

between the world’s best and the

between the world’s best and the professionals and sort of the people in

professionals and sort of the people in

professionals and sort of the people in the middle they found one consistent

the middle they found one consistent

the middle they found one consistent thing that linked them together and that

thing that linked them together and that

thing that linked them together and that was the number of hours of practice the

was the number of hours of practice the

was the number of hours of practice the people at the top about 20,000 the

people at the top about 20,000 the

people at the top about 20,000 the people who are just kind of on the

people who are just kind of on the

people who are just kind of on the professionals out of 5,000 everyone else

professionals out of 5,000 everyone else

professionals out of 5,000 everyone else in between what’s interesting is we’ve

in between what’s interesting is we’ve

in between what’s interesting is we’ve gone from having something that’s

gone from having something that’s

gone from having something that’s completely almost inherited to something

completely almost inherited to something

completely almost inherited to something that’s completely based on our behavior

that’s completely based on our behavior

that’s completely based on our behavior and choices now the next thing

and choices now the next thing

and choices now the next thing complexity intelligence is very hard to

complexity intelligence is very hard to

complexity intelligence is very hard to study whether that’s aesthetic or social

study whether that’s aesthetic or social

study whether that’s aesthetic or social or emotional but what we have discovered

or emotional but what we have discovered

or emotional but what we have discovered by studying a number of these kind of

by studying a number of these kind of

by studying a number of these kind of thousands of factors that make it up is

thousands of factors that make it up is

thousands of factors that make it up is it is related to your personality

it is related to your personality

it is related to your personality development and what I’m showing on the

development and what I’m showing on the

development and what I’m showing on the screen is is called the big five it’s

screen is is called the big five it’s

screen is is called the big five it’s your fundamental package kind of set of

your fundamental package kind of set of

your fundamental package kind of set of traits in personality and what you

traits in personality and what you

traits in personality and what you should be able to see here is really

should be able to see here is really

should be able to see here is really interesting that yes you do inherit it

interesting that yes you do inherit it

interesting that yes you do inherit it to an extent but the pivotal part of

to an extent but the pivotal part of

to an extent but the pivotal part of this that you that isn’t inherited comes

this that you that isn’t inherited comes

this that you that isn’t inherited comes from your school life so what does that

from your school life so what does that

from your school life so what does that mean for education what should we be

mean for education what should we be

mean for education what should we be doing and I just want to propose

doing and I just want to propose

doing and I just want to propose something isn’t really groundbreaking

something isn’t really groundbreaking

something isn’t really groundbreaking that we should be firstly focusing on

that we should be firstly focusing on

that we should be firstly focusing on what we can actually change what we can

what we can actually change what we can

what we can actually change what we can actually empower people to do and not on

actually empower people to do and not on

actually empower people to do and not on a very narrow perspective of something

a very narrow perspective of something

a very narrow perspective of something that’s hard to change or we can make a

that’s hard to change or we can make a

that’s hard to change or we can make a little difference in so if we look at

little difference in so if we look at

little difference in so if we look at education through that principle we see

education through that principle we see

education through that principle we see two things will actually shine out the

two things will actually shine out the

two things will actually shine out the top two things on that list the first is

top two things on that list the first is

top two things on that list the first is to focus on artisan intelligence what

to focus on artisan intelligence what

to focus on artisan intelligence what does that mean it means understanding

does that mean it means understanding

does that mean it means understanding that everybody’s got a different brain

that everybody’s got a different brain

that everybody’s got a different brain that they’re actually on a creative

that they’re actually on a creative

that they’re actually on a creative journey from you know the moment they’re

journey from you know the moment they’re

journey from you know the moment they’re kind of they’re born all the way through

kind of they’re born all the way through

kind of they’re born all the way through their lives working out what matters to

their lives working out what matters to

their lives working out what matters to them how they work and how they can use

them how they work and how they can use

them how they work and how they can use themselves to get what matters to them

themselves to get what matters to them

themselves to get what matters to them and a lot of people think oh if you’re

and a lot of people think oh if you’re

and a lot of people think oh if you’re talking about our talent agents you’re

talking about our talent agents you’re

talking about our talent agents you’re talking about just you know bit of

talking about just you know bit of

talking about just you know bit of design technology and will you be an

design technology and will you be an

design technology and will you be an apprentice and are you going to go into

apprentice and are you going to go into

apprentice and are you going to go into carpentry but I’m not I mean music and

carpentry but I’m not I mean music and

carpentry but I’m not I mean music and martial arts are more pure but actually

martial arts are more pure but actually

martial arts are more pure but actually what we’re talking about is inspiring

what we’re talking about is inspiring

what we’re talking about is inspiring kids to practice it could be BMX riding

kids to practice it could be BMX riding

kids to practice it could be BMX riding it could be tiddlywinks it really

it could be tiddlywinks it really

it could be tiddlywinks it really couldn’t matter less because what

couldn’t matter less because what

couldn’t matter less because what they’re doing is discovering how they

they’re doing is discovering how they

they’re doing is discovering how they work how to get themselves to be better

work how to get themselves to be better

work how to get themselves to be better at something and that’s immensely

at something and that’s immensely

at something and that’s immensely important that’s something that 100%

important that’s something that 100%

important that’s something that 100% that we can change and the second factor

that we can change and the second factor

that we can change and the second factor which I think is utterly

which I think is utterly

which I think is utterly critical is that schools play this

critical is that schools play this

critical is that schools play this pivotal role in terms of our personality

pivotal role in terms of our personality

pivotal role in terms of our personality development and there is the science

development and there is the science

development and there is the science there to measure whether they’re doing a

there to measure whether they’re doing a

there to measure whether they’re doing a good job now personality is very

good job now personality is very

good job now personality is very individual I’m not suggesting we’re all

individual I’m not suggesting we’re all

individual I’m not suggesting we’re all trying to conform people like SAT tests

trying to conform people like SAT tests

trying to conform people like SAT tests to one thing but think about personality

to one thing but think about personality

to one thing but think about personality a different way if you’ve been nourished

a different way if you’ve been nourished

a different way if you’ve been nourished you’ve had good loving experiences your

you’ve had good loving experiences your

you’ve had good loving experiences your personality is kind of well-rounded and

personality is kind of well-rounded and

personality is kind of well-rounded and smooth and it’s comfortable with itself

smooth and it’s comfortable with itself

smooth and it’s comfortable with itself and if you haven’t it’s jagged and

and if you haven’t it’s jagged and

and if you haven’t it’s jagged and they’re kind of a little off set and

they’re kind of a little off set and

they’re kind of a little off set and uncomfortable it’s not about the sort of

uncomfortable it’s not about the sort of

uncomfortable it’s not about the sort of general space it it feels it’s about

general space it it feels it’s about

general space it it feels it’s about it’s sort of shape and quality but we

it’s sort of shape and quality but we

it’s sort of shape and quality but we can measure that can you imagine a

can measure that can you imagine a

can measure that can you imagine a school system where we ranked schools by

school system where we ranked schools by

school system where we ranked schools by measuring the personality development of

measuring the personality development of

measuring the personality development of the children within them and how well

the children within them and how well

the children within them and how well they were supporting each teacher in

they were supporting each teacher in

they were supporting each teacher in each classroom each year each school was

each classroom each year each school was

each classroom each year each school was doing that it would be a radically

doing that it would be a radically

doing that it would be a radically different process right at the bottom

different process right at the bottom

different process right at the bottom you’ll see I put abstract intelligence

you’ll see I put abstract intelligence

you’ll see I put abstract intelligence because that’s about discovering if

because that’s about discovering if

because that’s about discovering if you’ve got those abilities and then

you’ve got those abilities and then

you’ve got those abilities and then taking them further but it’s not a place

taking them further but it’s not a place

taking them further but it’s not a place of this is central I think what we need

of this is central I think what we need

of this is central I think what we need to do is really ask the question what

to do is really ask the question what

to do is really ask the question what matters and I think we do know what

matters and I think we do know what

matters and I think we do know what matters the problem is by making

matters the problem is by making

matters the problem is by making everything about SAT scores by making it

everything about SAT scores by making it

everything about SAT scores by making it all about peeking comes or a limited

all about peeking comes or a limited

all about peeking comes or a limited amount of professional development we

amount of professional development we

amount of professional development we focus on IQ and we disenfranchise a lot

focus on IQ and we disenfranchise a lot

focus on IQ and we disenfranchise a lot of kids by doing it but if we ask

of kids by doing it but if we ask

of kids by doing it but if we ask ourselves what we want for our kids I’ve

ourselves what we want for our kids I’ve

ourselves what we want for our kids I’ve got five of them I couldn’t give a stuff

got five of them I couldn’t give a stuff

got five of them I couldn’t give a stuff how much they earn in their lives and I

how much they earn in their lives and I

how much they earn in their lives and I don’t care if they turn into doctors or

don’t care if they turn into doctors or

don’t care if they turn into doctors or lawyers but what I care about is are

lawyers but what I care about is are

lawyers but what I care about is are they happy are they at current do they

they happy are they at current do they

they happy are they at current do they contribute to the world around them can

contribute to the world around them can

contribute to the world around them can they form great relationships and in

they form great relationships and in

they form great relationships and in fact economically I haven’t got time to

fact economically I haven’t got time to

fact economically I haven’t got time to go into here this is a great you knows a

go into here this is a great you knows a

go into here this is a great you knows a lot of evidence there that actually what

lot of evidence there that actually what

lot of evidence there that actually what you’re looking at with education

you’re looking at with education

you’re looking at with education performance isn’t a full predictor of

performance isn’t a full predictor of

performance isn’t a full predictor of that so really what I wanted to say was

that so really what I wanted to say was

that so really what I wanted to say was by looking at that idea of IQ and by

by looking at that idea of IQ and by

by looking at that idea of IQ and by going through it we come to a completely

going through it we come to a completely

going through it we come to a completely different place with it with education

different place with it with education

different place with it with education and by going somewhere dark and having

and by going somewhere dark and having

and by going somewhere dark and having the courage to face it you come through

the courage to face it you come through

the courage to face it you come through to something kind of a different vision

to something kind of a different vision

to something kind of a different vision and what I hope now is here we have

and what I hope now is here we have

and what I hope now is here we have teachers with what they’re trying to

teachers with what they’re trying to

teachers with what they’re trying to achieve in the skills they have and

achieve in the skills they have and

achieve in the skills they have and actually they can do this job we have

actually they can do this job we have

actually they can do this job we have governments that need to measure it and

governments that need to measure it and

governments that need to measure it and they’ve been at war for twenty thirty

they’ve been at war for twenty thirty

they’ve been at war for twenty thirty years with kids in the middle and we

years with kids in the middle and we

years with kids in the middle and we actually have the technology to overcome

actually have the technology to overcome

actually have the technology to overcome that war and to end that fight

that war and to end that fight

that war and to end that fight thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *