Nice piece about a guy's hero's journey, and some interesting thoughts about nurturing talent:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303674004577434550791785644.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

"How to Beat the Odds at Judging Risk"

This short article reminded me of the topic brought up at the recent parents' meeting.  In a nutshell:  Risk Intelligence can be improved by learning probability and statistics.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052702304451104577392270431239772-lMyQjAxMTAyMDEwMzExNDMyWj.html?mod=wsj_share_email

WSJ Article Today - Educating the Next Steve Jobs

It appears Acton's approach is right on the mark per this author. I'm curious if anyone has read Tony Wagner's book: "Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World." Please comment if you do/don't recommend it.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304444604577337790086673050.html?mod=WeekendHeader_Rotator

on character

good snack for thought with morning coffee

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/character-and-its-discontents/?hp

next year, statistics

we can begin to prepare for that with this entertaining article:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/03/18/a-fun-diy-science-goodie-proof-yourself-against-sensationalized-stats/

re power

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/science/the-snails-of-war-and-other-robotics-experiments.html?_r=1

I'm hoping the scientists and engineers perfect the electric snail before the electric cockroach... our local water bugs strike me as plenty energetic already.

Heroic Imagination Project

I happened upon this Wired article about a Stanford professor's project to teach middle schoolers about social psychology and create the next generation of American heroes. It's an interesting take on developing heroism in young people.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/12/the-hero-project/