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Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

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Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#71

Post by vouaobrasil »

qgin wrote: post #67
vouaobrasil wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. I wish I could have been born in a world where I could use my skills for survival in the forests and die younger but have a more fulfilling life. Modern technological society is a disappointment, even if I am more comfortable.

You could get pretty close if you wanted to

Not really. There are very few wild areas left, especially in warmer areas. Much of the natural resources of these areas are contaminated such as water. Natural areas are often government-managed or privately owned. Gone are the days where you could wander off into the wild and just live as some of the indigineous tribes used to.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#72

Post by the-chitmonger »

Zealotux wrote: post #12

The first book I couldn't put down and had to read in one sitting. It may be the origin of my fear of mental decline, which is much more horrific than death to me.

Hard agree - this book inspired a fear in me that led me to seek every possible preventative method to combat dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. In case anyone wants to see my (admittedly amateur) research, I've listed some things I've found below.

- Exercise regularly and mitigate conditions like diabetes, hypertension*, high cholesterol [1] (aerobic exercise seems to be the best for this, likely because it increases cerebral blood flow)

- Avoid night shift work/disrupting the circadian rhythm [2] (seems to be linked to poor sleep's impact on cardiovascular health, which has in turn seen a strong link to dementia developing)

- Increase your cognitive reserve (math is very commonly mentioned as a way to boost this but I don't think it's the only way) seems to insulate you from the impacts of dementia [3] (this citation isn't a formal paper per se but this statement has been echoed across other articles[4][5])

- Read something regularly [6][7] (I have also seen articles mentioning reciting mantras, but I can't find them at the moment)

- Small doses of nicotine [8][9][10] (I am at work right now so I cannot verify whether or not these studies were funded by tobacco companies - maybe take this one with a grain of salt. Additionally, smoking cigarettes have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. It may be better to try patches or lozenges?)

* There are studies[11][12][13] that suggest high blood pressure in seniors can lead to an increased risk of dementia or worsened cognitive function for those with dementia. One common guess is that the reduced blood flow to the brain in old age is the primary issue, but it could be another covariate that leads to . Not a concern for most of us on this site (I think)

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258000/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164904/

[3] https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-is-cogniti...

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3507991/

[5] https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news/building-cognitive...

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8482376/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2911991/

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7912116/

[9] https://actaneurocomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s4...

[10] https://www.alzheimers.gov/clinical-trials/memory-improvemen...

[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8608286/

[12] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullar...

[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14694027/

Edited for markdown

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#73

Post by areyes »

pizzafeelsright wrote: post #52
jjice wrote: post #34

This story is part of the reason I'd never want to know about where I land intelligence wise compared to other people. No matter the outcome, I don't think it could be good. I it's below average, I'll feel limited. If it's above average, I'll have added pressure of self expectations and maybe arrogance. That's not the case for everyone, but I'm happy where I am currently. Back to the story - the use of grammar and sp…

I discovered that intelligence is like height. It helps with the ability to reach but effort matters more. I was lazy for twenty years and put effort behind the wrong energy. If I understood risk, consistent effort, and emotions better, I would have retired in my mid twenties.

What would you have needed to understand about risk and emotions to have retired in your mid twenties?

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#74

Post by presidentender »

vouaobrasil wrote: post #27
sorokod wrote: post #2

I remember reading the story for the first time and my feelings of pity and horror when the protagonist's decline began. With lifespans increasing, many of us will have Charlie's experience.

Indeed. I wish I could have been born in a world where I could use my skills for survival in the forests and die younger but have a more fulfilling life. Modern technological society is a disappointment, even if I am more comfortable.

You can still go die in the forest. One fellow had a book written about him for doing just that.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#75

Post by bartvk »

eismcc wrote: post #51

After my class read this book in high school, we wrote the author and he responded. How often does that happen in today’s schools?

Amazing huh? Me and my daughter finished this Dutch bedtime story book, and we wrote the artist to to tell him how much we liked his work. We actually received a heartwarming reply back, in which he gracefully accepted the compliment, and wished us well.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#76

Post by Mordisquitos »

gmadsen wrote: post #39
jjice wrote: post #34

This story is part of the reason I'd never want to know about where I land intelligence wise compared to other people. No matter the outcome, I don't think it could be good. I it's below average, I'll feel limited. If it's above average, I'll have added pressure of self expectations and maybe arrogance. That's not the case for everyone, but I'm happy where I am currently. Back to the story - the use of grammar and sp…

How is that possible to not know? Have you never worked on a team?

Having a clear picture where you fall with regards to a broad population is indeed very hard, particularly if we consider all the different dimensions of intelligence: mathematical ability? musicality? problem solving? negotiation? emotional intelligence? planning ability? lateral thinking?.

At best, by working in a team all you can achieve is to (rightly or wrongly) estimate your level within the team itself, but only with regards to the type of intelligence which is most used in the given context. And, given that the team members have most likely been selected for or were motivated to join because of their relevant abilities, the team is subject to selection bias.

As a result, on average, you are most likely to be very close to the perceived "average" intelligence of the teams to which you belong. Hence why impostor syndrome is so common in highly skilled professions — as a milder version of the Peter principle [0], people tend to climb to the level where their skills are average.

It is only when comparing the intelligence (or other abilities) of team members that are not relevant to their task, usually when socialising in another context, that you may become aware of broad differences and maybe get a better idea of where you fall in that specific dimension.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#77

Post by badcppdev »

WarOnPrivacy wrote: post #23

I think FfA is a bigger part of our culture than we realize. I use it to describe the 12 hours between waking and adderall wearing off and most people track (a non-frivolous comparison).

Sorry can you elaborate or provide a link to what you're alluding to? Is Adderall generally considered an intelligence booster?

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#78

Post by Fricken »

keiferski wrote: post #55
magnio wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the regular mental decline of the average person of every person

I don't think that's true at all. Most people die before they fall to the level of intelligence the character does near the end of the novel. Even many 90-year olds are still fairly lucid.

The key word is 'allegory'
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