The U.S. Fails to Maximize Gifted Education for Economic Development

Gifted people are often left out from full development and this has an impact on the American economy. Our economic development and growth comes from innovation and new product creation. Failing to develop policies that further their advancement leaves a major source of intellectual capital untapped and wasted.

A study in the Journal of Advanced Academics found that description of gifted students is lacking, current students may not fit the appropriate definition, and the programs are not truly maximized (Kettler, 2016). Many students in these programs are not "gifted".  The author further makes the argument that such programs are not studied by economists in a way that encourages better policy development.

The problem many educators face is that smart and gifted are not exactly the same thing. Smart people give you the answers you want while gifted give you the truest answers you may not be aware of. This means that gifted people may not actually be entering the programs or be developed for a nation because they are not straight A students with text book answers.

As a nation we don't want students to give us text book answers; at least not always. It is new ways of perceiving and doing things that will make a difference. Text book answers are beneficial but active interest in how the student constructed their understanding is more important. One leads to innovation the other continues down predefined knowledge paths.

Groundbreaking research and new developments that can impact our economy need new ways of understand the world. Gifted students may actually be left out of development and marginalized in society only because administrators, professors, and teachers can't select appropriately. Our human and intellectual capital suffers when our best and brightest don't have an opportunity to come forward.  

Kettler, T. (2016). Why are economists evaluating the impact of gifted education? Journal of Advanced Academics, 27 (2). 

Burning Calories and Socializing with Salsa Dancing

San Diego is one of those places where Salsa is popular. Likely, a result of the Spanish and Mexican influence in the area. In the area there are plenty of places to engage in salsa and free classes are usually offered before the event itself.  You can socialize and burn calories at the same time.

I have to admit. I'm not a very good salsa dancer. I took some classes a while ago and then went to a salsa event recently and found that compared to these enthusiastic dancers I was poorly lacking in skills. However, people are accommodating and definitely willing to work with you.

Socializing is easy. People are paired and almost everyone is willing to accommodate at least one dance. Guys can ask Ladies and Ladies can ask the Guys. It won't take long and you will meet other people who come on a regular basis and find a main partner.

You can also burn a lot of calories that can be as much as 300 to 500 in an hour depending on how enthusiastic you are. I probably only burned about 200 but this is because I'm still learning. Those that come on a regular basis are in great shape.

Look around of San Diego Salsa events.

What is it like to do research at a University?

Reading a Journal Publication on a boat

University research is an interesting and exciting endeavor. Sometimes it can be tedious and routine, especially if you are number crunching or working with data, but it can also provide great meaning for doctors that seek to contribute to society. The type of research you will enjoy is based on your personality and the type of design that suits you.

There are professors out there that love....just love...love...numbers! Where I might run in the other direction and jump for the latest SPSS software they are more likely to pull out their scientific calculator and do number crunching for the fun of it! I swear they think of it like a puzzle that needs to be solved.

Personally, I enjoy exploring new unique ideas that other people haven't come to full understanding about. For example, is our economic system based on financial transactions or the neuro-economic choices we make? Or something like a sociological perspective on how social chatter leads to perception and future decisions.

Specifics or wild conjecture have advantages for society. New quantitative research often provides better understanding of how connected variables are. Qualitative mental exploration of untested ideas leads to major paradigm shifts in research. One change in a new association often leads to complete changes in society.

People who do research spend hours, days, years and decades exploring the same topics over and over. Some have even given over their whole lives to discovering a new idea. One idea can put a person into the mental hall of fame like Einstein but doesn't often do much for their checkbooks. Don't expect to be rich but try and enjoy the ride.

Harvard's Eight Point Plan for Economic Recovery

There is little doubt that the U.S. economy is running toward being a second place leader in the economy. While we haggle and engage in brutal politics the world is starting to pass us by. We could pass around the blame but we are all partly at fault for letting reason and reasonableness pass us by in an effort to score ideological points. Harvard's report highlights the fall out from political infighting and the inability to come up with strong solutions. They propose an 8 point plan for government to work on.

Americans are making less money than before and are fed up with the political immaturity that hasn't gotten anything done. Business leaders are somewhat pessimistic over the economy for the next few years and don't feel their prospects are likely to grow. They are ready to invest but just need the right environment to make things happen and that means getting government on board to change.

While the U.S. economy retains critical strengths in areas such as communications, firm management, and innovation is does suffer under poor early education, weak transportation infrastructure, a diseased healthcare system, the tax code and the U.S. Politics. We don't seem to be in alignment on how to fix these issues.

At this point we have to rethink how we do things from a political and economic standpoint.

They have an 8 point plan which includes:

1 Simplify the corporate tax code with lower statutory rates and no loopholes
2 Move to a territorial tax system like all other leading nations
3 Ease the immigration of highly skilled individuals
4 Aggressively address distortions and abuses in the international trading system 5 Improve logistics, communications, and energy infrastructure
6 Simplify and streamline regulation
7 Create a sustainable federal budget, including reform of entitlements
8 Responsibly develop America’s unconventional energy advantage

You can review the report yourself below

http://www.hbs.edu/competitiveness/Documents/problems-unsolved-and-a-nation-divided.pdf

When the Wind Doesn't Push Your Sails

There are times when sailing offer the great excitement of a solid wind and a good heel. You are dead in the water and can't go anywhere. There is no movement forward, no ability to steer, and no way to control the boat. Playing with sails doesn't seem to do anything. Being patient and making small adjustments might make a big difference in getting the vessel moving again.

It is a lot like life. Sometimes there is just a little wind to work with and small adjustments is all you can do. Be patient because eventually the wind does return to your sails and everything comes to life again.

Sailing is a fun sport that is both exciting and relaxing at the same time. Sometimes things are moving quick and you are weaving in and out of traffic trying to overcome other ships while at other times your just watching the sunset on the horizon. Mostly, your just feeling the breeze on your face and talking to friends.