Child Prodigies: Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck delve into the fascinating world of child prodigies, exploring the distinctions between genius and prodigy, the role of genetics versus environment, and the "rage to master" that drives these exceptional children. They discuss the historical fascination with prodigies, the narrow domains in which they typically excel, and the complex interplay of nature and nurture, referencing experts like Ellen Winner. The hosts also touch on the parental influence, the potential pitfalls of pushing prodigies too hard, and the varied outcomes for prodigies as they transition into adulthood, including cautionary tales like Bobby Fischer and more positive stories like Elizabeth Benson. The episode concludes with listener mail and a lighthearted discussion.