Introduction
Daniel Pink's book "A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future" discusses how we are currently living in the Conceptual Age, an age where creators and empathizers will be driving forces and lead characters in society. In order to be better equipped in this new age he suggests that we complement our traditional left brain directed reasoning with six right brain directed aptitudes, or senses:
- Design
- Story
- Symphony
- Empathy
- Play
- Meaning
Why does this "Conceptual Age" requires a whole new mind?
Pink doesn't think that we need a whole new mind as in a completely different version, but rather a whole new mind--a mindset that uses both halves of the brain, combining the functional properties of the left brain (L-directed thinking) with the complex, creative right brain (R-directed thinking) to achieve a new level of intelligence. He states that the traditionally touted L-directed aptitudes are still necessary and should not be left by the wayside, but they are no longer sufficient on their own (Pink 27). We need to also employ the creative and innovative R-Directed thinking, which is something that computers cannot do for us and what creates the big developments of the future. Even if a computer, machine, or cheaper labor force can eventually take over the task they will still need someone to dream it up and develop it.
Who is Daniel Pink?Daniel H. Pink is the author of several provocative, bestselling books about the changing world of work.
His latest is Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, which uses 50 years of behavioral science to overturn the conventional wisdom about human motivation and offer a more effective path to high performance. Drive is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Publishers Weekly bestseller — as well as a national bestseller in Japan and the United Kingdom. The book is being translated into 32 languages. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future charts the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economies and describes the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced, automated age. A Whole New Mind is a long-running New York Times bestseller that has been translated into 24 languages. The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need is the first American business book in the Japanese comic format known as mangaand the only graphic novel ever to become a BusinessWeek bestseller. Illustrated by award-winning artist Rob Ten Pas, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko has been translated into 14 languages. Dan’s first book, Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, was aWashington Post bestseller that Publishers Weekly says “has become a cornerstone of employee-management relations.” His articles on business and technology appear in many publications, including theNew York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Wired, and The Sunday Telegraph. Dan has provided analysis of business trends on CNN, CNBC, ABC, NPR, and other networks in the U.S. and abroad. And he lectures to corporations, associations, and universities around the world on economic transformation and the new workplace. In 2011, Thinkers50 ranked him one of the 50 most influential business thinkers in the world. A free agent himself, Dan held his last real job in the White House, where he served from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore. He also worked as an aide to U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich and in other positions in politics and government. He received a BA from Northwestern University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School. He has also received honorary degrees from the Ringling College of Art and Design (2011) and Westfield State University (2010). Dan lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and their three children. (Biography and picture from: http://www.danpink.com/about) |
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