The Art of Manliness How the World Wars Shaped J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis
18 snips
Nov 18, 2025 
Susan Dominus, a journalist and author of The Family Dynamic, engages in a compelling discussion about how family culture and sibling dynamics shape success. She reveals how parents set the tone, but siblings drive competition and ambition. Dominus highlights fascinating concepts like the 'replacement child effect' and the influence of birth order on achievement. The conversation probes into how these factors evolve over time and offer strategies for nurturing dreams without pressure. It's an insightful look into what truly motivates high achievers.
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Nature And Nurture Are Both Broad Forces
- About half of individual differences come from genetics and half from environment, but "nurture" includes far more than parenting.
- Siblings, neighbors, schools, and random events all shape outcomes as much as parents do.
Firstborn Cognitive Edge
- Firstborns consistently show higher measured IQs, likely from receiving parents' exclusive attention early on.
- Interaction with younger siblings also boosts oldest children's cognitive development relative to only children.
Siblings Boost Cognitive Growth
- Oldest children who later have younger siblings outperform only children, suggesting sibling interaction consolidates skills.
- The mechanism isn't fully known but the sibling effect appears real.
