Leslie Valiant at the Harvard Science Center

Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University Division of Science, and the Harvard Library welcome LESLIE VALIANT—T. Jefferson Coolidge Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at Harvard University and author of Probably Approximately Correct—for a discussion of his new book The Importance of Being Educable: A New Theory of Human Uniqueness. He will be joined in conversation by MELISSA FRANKLIN—Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics

Ticketing

There are two ticket options available for this event. Leslie Valiant will sign copies of his new book after the presentation.

Free General Admission Ticket: Includes admission for one.

Book-Included Ticket: Includes admission for one and one hardcover copy of The Importance of Being Educable.

About The Importance of Being Educable

We are at a crossroads in history. If we hope to share our planet successfully with one another and the AI systems we are creating, we must reflect on who we are, how we got here, and where we are heading. The Importance of Being Educable puts forward a provocative new exploration of the extraordinary facility of humans to absorb and apply knowledge. The remarkable “educability” of the human brain can be understood as an information processing ability. It sets our species apart, enables the civilization we have, and gives us the power and potential to set our planet on a steady course. Yet it comes hand in hand with an insidious weakness. While we can readily absorb entire systems of thought about worlds of experience beyond our own, we struggle to judge correctly what information we should trust.

In this visionary book, Leslie Valiant argues that understanding the nature of our own educability is crucial to safeguarding our future. After breaking down how we process information to learn and apply knowledge, and drawing comparisons with other animals and AI systems, he explains why education should be humankind’s central preoccupation.

Will the unique capability that has been so foundational to our achievements and civilization continue to drive our progress, or will we fall victim to our vulnerabilities? If we want to play to our species’ great strength and protect our collective future, we must better understand and prioritize the vital importance of being educable. This book provides a road map.