K. Anders Ericsson (1947–2020)

In "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise," Anders Ericsson, a psychology professor, and Robert Pool, a science writer, debunk the myth that child prodigies are born with so much talent that they are destined to become standouts. Isn't it the case that Mozart was performing and composing as a small child? Ericsson and Pool look into the prodigy question and find that the issue is more complex than it seems. Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang's father, was a musician who taught his daughter and son to play a variety of instruments at very young ages. He immersed them in musicology and encouraged them to practice deliberately. Therefore, whatever gifts they had were incalculably enhanced by their father's tutelage.

What does this mean for the average person? The authors insist that, by approaching the learning of new skills with deliberation, focus, and proper motivation—preferably with the support and feedback of an excellent coach or teacher—many individuals, even those without obvious promise, can reach undreamed of heights. For the most part, greatness is cultivated, not genetic, and using methods that have proved effective, we can educate our youngsters to be more accomplished musicians, scientists, mathematicians, and athletes. Those who succeed devise "mental representations," break up specific skills into concrete steps, and work through them one by one. Not everyone will be a Nobel Prize winner, a world-class pianist, or an Olympian, but that is beside the point. Improvement over time is the desired result.

This work of non-fiction is enriched with anecdotes about individuals who set out to accomplish something special. Some found ways to memorize long strings of numbers; become chess grandmasters; beat top opponents at Scrabble; master the violin; or improve their medical skills. According to this book, any of these tasks can be made more achievable by going about them methodically and productively. Merely practicing is not enough, especially if you make the same mistakes over and over. Deliberate and focused practice of the right kind, accomplished at the proper pace, preferably with the help of outstanding instructors, is what separates ordinary from extraordinary achievers. Ericsson and Poole make the case that our brains and bodies are adaptable, and that, with the necessary incentive and training, children in particular (but adults, as well) can become more capable learners. Although this contradicts what some of us believe, this thesis is supported by a well-documented research. "Peak" is relatively jargon-free, well-organized, entertaining, and persuasive. The good news is that "potential is an expandable vessel, shaped by the various things we do throughout our lives."… (more)

In "Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise," Anders Ericsson, a psychology professor, and Robert Pool, a science writer, debunk the myth that child prodigies are born with so much talent that they are destined to become standouts. Isn't it the case that Mozart was performing and composing as a small child? Ericsson and Pool look into the prodigy question and find that the issue is more complex than it seems. Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang's father, was a musician who taught his daughter and son to play a variety of instruments at very young ages. He immersed them in musicology and encouraged them to practice deliberately. Therefore, whatever gifts they had were incalculably enhanced by their father's tutelage.

What does this mean for the average person? The authors insist that, by approaching the learning of new skills with deliberation, focus, and proper motivation—preferably with the support and feedback of an excellent coach or teacher—many individuals, even those without obvious promise, can reach undreamed of heights. For the most part, greatness is cultivated, not genetic, and using methods that have proved effective, we can educate our youngsters to be more accomplished musicians, scientists, mathematicians, and athletes. Those who succeed devise "mental representations," break up specific skills into concrete steps, and work through them one by one. Not everyone will be a Nobel Prize winner, a world-class pianist, or an Olympian, but that is beside the point. Improvement over time is the desired result.

This work of non-fiction is enriched with anecdotes about individuals who set out to accomplish something special. Some found ways to memorize long strings of numbers; become chess grandmasters; beat top opponents at Scrabble; master the violin; or improve their medical skills. According to this book, any of these tasks can be made more achievable by going about them methodically and productively. Merely practicing is not enough, especially if you make the same mistakes over and over. Deliberate and focused practice of the right kind, accomplished at the proper pace, preferably with the help of outstanding instructors, is what separates ordinary from extraordinary achievers. Ericsson and Poole make the case that our brains and bodies are adaptable, and that, with the necessary incentive and training, children in particular (but adults, as well) can become more capable learners. Although this contradicts what some of us believe, this thesis is supported by a well-documented research. "Peak" is relatively jargon-free, well-organized, entertaining, and persuasive. The good news is that "potential is an expandable vessel, shaped by the various things we do throughout our lives."… (more)

How do the exceptional become the exceptional? Is you kid who isn’t learning Calculus by age 6 doomed to a life of mediocrity? And what about this “10,000 hours makes you an expert” thing I hear about?

Peak is, at it’s core, a book about how we learn. The 4 word answer to that question is “practice the right way”, and Anders Ericsson uses his own research and the work of others to provide you a path to improving your ability to learn a new subject and to, with time, achieve expertise.

Malcolm Gladwell popularized the 10,000 hour idea in his book Outliers, and there’s an element of merit to it, but it’s incomplete. Ericsson was responsible for that research, and goes into detail, but the short version is that the research was done in highly specialized fields with a lot of shared expertise already. He calls this deliberate practice.

Deliberate practice, as he defines it, may rely on a solidly established field with clear definitions and outcomes, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can take away to our own areas of interest. Setting goals, finding a way to get feedback to evaluate outcomes, and ensuring that you are engaged and challenging yourself the right amount are all strategies encouraged through the book.

Overall, the message is that the human brain is incredibly adaptable and that systematically approaching new subjects (or old subjects you want to improve) can allow you to reach levels you didn’t believe were possible.


This is a must read if you have interest in the brain.… (more)