The interesting thing to me is that while Pinker is discussing how little parents shape their children's intellects and beliefs, he mentions how he grew up in a rich environment with books and had parents who taught him the value of voicing opinions based on scientific thought and not based on hurting people's feelings. Meanwhile, he seems to be living the life of someone with this exact view and admits that he doesn't know if this is because of genetics or upbringing. In all likelihood, who we are is a combination of our genetics and our upbringing and i definitely do not think that parenting is overvalued. If anything, it is undervalued.