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The Knowledge Gene is one of those excellent books that doesn’t come around nearly often enough.
Except Lynne Kelly has a habit of only writing incredible books.
Of course, I’m partial because I share Kelly’s love of memory.
But I don’t have anything like the scientific background and depth of research she brings.
Not to mention the wisdom that allows her to glean insights from so many cultures across space and time.
That’s why I couldn’t wait to talk with Lynne about The Knowledge Gene: The Incredible Story of the Supergene that Gives Us Human Creativity.
More than your standard interview, our discussion covers the book in-depth and topics we mnemonists love:
- Memory Palaces
- Mnemonic images
- Learning faster and retaining information for longer
We also discuss a few of the social and political implications of how and why our species may have gone wrong when it comes to matters of education at all levels.
Click the play button above or watch the discussion using the video below:
As you watch or listen, consider the implications…
What if we could prove that education needs to change due to the way our genes work?
Wouldn’t you like to see more people succeed as learners in a vibrant and holistic education system that serves us all. Not just those who can sit still behind a desk?
The Knowledge Gene: A Brief Review
How’s this for a compelling quote?
ADHD can grant broad thinking and endless performance.
I highlight this brief statement because so many people email me and talk about their experiences with ADHD, dyslexia or other issues.
And there’s no doubt about it. They can effect focus, concentration and of course memory and intelligence.
But what if education were to change, and operate more like the societies who used ancient memory techniques?
This is one of Lynne’s premises in The Knowledge Gene, something hinted at in one of her previous books, The Memory Code.
As Lynne demonstrates amply, our ancestors learned and retained far more than we do. They knew the location of critical medicines and could tell hundreds, if not thousands of stories.
Not only that, they used performance to help them encode memories, kind of like how Anastasia Woolmer once demonstrated the mnemonic use of choreography in a TEDx Talk.
The Genetic Difference
The Knowledge Gene takes all of Lynne’s work to the next level by explaining how music, art, story and a variety of performance activities help us store information.
The scientific findings Lynne shares were produced in collaboration with a variety of researchers from fields like archeology, psychology, music, art and of course, genetics.
She also shares discussions from her fieldwork with a diversity of neurodiverse kids, adults and fascinating colleagues like Tyson Yunkaporta.
Lynne expertly weaves the central thesis that some of the learning disabilities associated with NF1 help explain how humans learn. The science is, true to the theme of the book, wonderfully told in the form of a story.
That means you’ll get an understanding of how and why scientists operate in particular ways in order to arrive at statements that are highly likely to be true.
You’ll have a hard time putting The Knowledge Gene down as Lynne introduces you to a variety of cultures, individuals and memory techniques.
True, some of the words might be challenging. But when you use the mnemonic methods discussed throughout the book, you’ll love how quickly they become second nature.
Of course, you”ll want to make sure you follow up with Lynne’s excellent work Memory Craft for more.
A Return To Knowledge Awaits… If We Dare
Although this book is grounded in data, Lynne strikes a careful balance between urgency and optimism in The Knowledge Gene.
That’s important because facts without emotional resonance are hard to take in.
Lynne is cautionary, but never alarmist about what will happen if we don’t incorporate more of what we know about learning from our ancestors into modern life.
She’s even occasionally humorous, sharing bits about her life as a mnemonist engaged in a noble battle against forgetting.
Overall, you’ll love Lynne’s objective and clear stance. It’s inclusive, empowering and you will not left wondering what to do.
The genetics facts alone should make it clear that out time and our opportunity is not just now, but right freakin’ now.
Read this book and then get busy living the knowledge gene within you.
