i'm 22 and i'm going nowhere in university.. all i feel like doing is partying. this age-genius curve thing is frightening. the hell am i doing with my life:S solid post!

Kanazawa has been so unnecessarily provocative. Your posts have been mostly reductionistic and simplistic. I don't know how you actually came up with the idea. You make psychology seem more useless...

I wonder if a decrease in creative productivity has less to do with an actual biological change and more to do with a change in social standing. There is something romantic about a young starving artist, working part time at the pizza joint and putting every ounce of energy into soul expression. As a middle aged man, however, creativity may take a back seat to raising a family and working a job with a steady income. Someone who gives up his family in order to backpack around Europe and write a novel is seen as selfish or troubled. Aside from societal pressures, perhaps our priorities really do change as a mark of maturity. It's not that someone loses the ability to create or appreciate great works of art but seeking the "ultimate" accomplishment might feel less important as someone finds beauty in the daily art of life. Or, perhaps creative fuel lessons as we leave the turmoil of our youth. Many accomplished artists are quite unhappy and although we still are in awe of thier talent we prefer stability.

Does the curve for individuals relate to when they reproduce, or when they reach a certain age? So is the curve based on the fact that the average person starts a family at those times in their lives, and the instincts/abilities changes with the event of having a family. Or is it hardwired into their biological chronology regardless of when they become fathers?

Crap! I agree with Shaun. I better pull my socks up.