Average is a myth, so why should it control our lives? We measure ourselves -- and others -- against averages all the time. Think GPAs, personality tests, standardized test results, performance review ratings. These are average measures that tell us little about what makes us unique. And this is not just a feel-good argument. It is a mathematical fact.

In his bestselling book, The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness, researcher, professor, and president of The Center for Individual Opportunity at Harvard, Todd Rose, explains the history of average and how it became so embedded in our culture. He goes on to explain why now, more than ever, we need to move beyond its impact on our schools and our workplaces.

In this interview, we talk about:

How the concept of average has done us more harm than good

The courage of a brilliant scientist to question average for the greater good

What newborns and chubby thighs can teach us about the limitations of average

How innovative organizations are tapping into the wisdom of jaggedness for hiring

Why organizations are relying on CodeFu to find great programming talent

Why the personality test industry is bigger than ever and more bankrupt

Why personality traits are context dependent, not inherent or static

Why unlocking the context of behavior can be game changing in helping kids

The important connection between environment and self control

Why faster does not equal smarter

Why we need to get rid of fixed-pace learning in schools

Thoughts on competency-based versus grade-based learning

Shifting from diplomas to micro-based credentials

Giving individuals more say in their learning pathways

What Todd Rose thinks about personalized learning and personalization

Why we need to keep equity at the forefront

What dark horses may have to teach us

Episode Links

@ltoddrose

http://www.toddrose.com/

The Center for Individual Opportunity

Adolphe Quetelet

Francis Galton

Edward Thorndike

Peter Molenaar

Esther Thelen and her study on newborn stepping reflex

IGN

CodeFu

Matthew B. Crawford and The World Beyond Your Head: Individuality in an Age of Distraction

Yuichi Shoda

Celeste Kidd

Khan Academy

Equifinality

Ogi Ogas

Kevin Kelly and Wired

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