Some thoughts on learning

Came across an article in New York magazine called "How Not to Talk to Your Kids: The Inverse Power of Praise". Among other things, it examines research showing that kids praised for being smart often turn out to be academic underachievers compared to kids praised for making an effort, who can go on to achieve greater and greater things; how people with a strong self-esteem don't necessarily do better in school and at life; and how too much praise can turn kids into praise junkies.

As an adult, I found the article explains some of my attitudes about learning new things. And the end of the article has what's perhaps the most useful lesson—the author asks her son:

“What happens to your brain, again, when it gets to think about something hard?”

“It gets bigger, like a muscle,” he says.