Book Review: A Whole New Mind
August 4, 2009 - 8:21am — bex
In three words? Awful. Awful. Awful.
The central premise of this book is that people with slightly more right-brain skills will dominate the work force in the 21st century... or at least be much more important than the past 20 years. I bought this book because that is a premise I agree with, so I was curious to see how he demonstrated his point, or any advice he could offer.
What I got was page after page of uninformed conjecture, hyperbole, cliches, and self-important blather. His premise? Left-brained work has dominated the industrial age, and the information age, but the next "phase" of human development is what he decided to label the "conceptual age," where right-directed people will dominate.
Really? You really think that? That's a hell of a statement... I hope you can back it up with some hard data... statistics, job growth numbers, etc? Anything?
Nope.
He claims the drivers towards the "Conceptual Age" are Abundance, Asia, and Automation. That's it. No further proof. Let's take these one at a time:
Firstly, because of "Abundance", people are looking for better designs, even for ordinary household tools... thus designers become important. And apparently this is a new idea??? He believes that the words from the latest CEO of GM -- who said his job is to produce works of art that people drive -- as being somehow monumental. Oh my god! GM designs cars! They now care about "form" as well as "function!"
Really??? You really think that's a new thing? So I guess then those fins on a 1956 Chevy are there for aerodynamic purposes... and the mountains of chrome were there to make it more visible at night. Apparently the author is equally ignorant of the real drivers of the "left-brained" industrial revolution in the 19th century: the production of cheap textiles for clothing. YEP! The industrial revolution existed for the benefit of fashion designers and other "right brained" people who were tired of the ordinary abundance of the tunic. And how much of the computer revolution existed because people wanted a more "personalized" computer experience for their home or business? Ever hear of the iMac???
The author should try to do some research once in a while...
Secondly, because of "Asia," a lot of left-brian jobs -- computer programming, accounting, and legal -- are moving to Asia. Whereas right-brian jobs that require artistic design, communication, empathy, play, and meaning stay right in the USA. Since these jobs are "high-touch" jobs, they can't be outsourced.
Really??? You really think right-brain jobs cant be outsourced? I got a graphic designer in the Philippines who says differently. I got a dozen "empathy hotlines" you can call if you're feeling like killing yourself, and they'll do a hell of a lot better talking you down from the ledge than your friends or family. I also know of some really good customer support centers in India who are highly trained in empathic communication. Ever hear of teleconferencing or telepresence? Right-brained jobs are just as easily outsourced with the right technology.
Jobs are moving to Asia for one basic reason: SUPPLY AND DEMAND. Nothing more. Most American businesses prefer American workers, simply because culture differences, currency exchange rates, and time zones are a pain to deal with... but Asian workers are so much cheaper that they are worth the extra pain. However, these wages are only low in Asia because Asian industries are not big enough to demand local software developers, lawyers, and accountants. Once Asia becomes more industrialized, Asian businesses will be demanding "left-brained" Asian talent... which decreases their supply... which drives Asian wages up... which makes American talent more attractive to American businesses again.
This is just cyclical unemployment on a global scale: no more. Again... some research by the author would have been nice...
Thirdly, because of "Automation," those who just follow a well-defined process will be easily replaced by robots, computers, or Asians (apparently). In other words... technology eliminates low-skill jobs. SHOCKER! But of course, this isn't actually true. As any economics professor will tell you, technology is disruptive, but it doesn't eliminate jobs in the long run. The simple fact is that workers who learn how to use the new technology become more productive, and therefore more valuable to their employers! Yes, job responsibilities shift around a bit, but overall productivity increases, which creates more jobs in the medium term.
Then the author goes on to the second section of the book, which contains anecdotes about what skills will be important in the 21st century: design (agree), story (maybe), "symphony" (give me a break...), empathy (big agreement there), play (agree), and meaning (agree). The stories are good reading, but they are never supported by any hard data. There is evidence of a fad, but no evidence of a trend.
The single saving grace of this book are the right-brain exercises. They are pretty fun ways for a left-brain-leaning person to step out of their comfort zone and flex the right brain a little. If you find this book in the bargain bin for $5, then its worth it just for the exercises.
Otherwise, you'll probably want to avoid it...
But how did the book make you *FEEL*?
typical left brained analytical response.
I LOVE IT!
har...
I fully agree that left-brained and right-brained skills are useful... but I seriously challenge the assumption that left-brain people have dominated for the past 200 years, and right-brained people will dominate for the next 100. It has always been a blend, it will always be a blend.
It's all just supply and demand.
Artists are in higher demand these days because schools killed their art programs... and so the artistic skills in demand are currently in short supply. In the old days, lawyers could paint, and physicists could play the piano... but alas, no more. These days, people only get into art in or after college... which could be too late for it to make a meaningful impression on their thought processes.
The jobs aren't going to be there for left- or for right- brained people... the best job opportunities are and will always be for people with skills in high demand and short supply. But no matter what, employers like people with the skills to do the job, plus a blend of other skills. An artist who knows business management will probably do better than others... a Physicist who knows how to write clearly will get all the grant money... That ain't rocket science, nor is it a new phenomenon.
Artists...
Artists are in higher demand these days because schools killed their art programs???
Not a chance. If anything that means we have more rubes who don't know how to appreciate or create art. And that is ONLY IF we presume that school art programs (Popsicle stick houses and clay ash trays all) actually succeed in training the artistic mind.
The reason there is a higher demand for art these days is because the global economy has made more people wealthy (relative wealth, beyond subsistence levels) and able to afford luxury items that are art or have artistic merit.
I agree though that, historically, developing ones artistic skills like painting or music were much more in vogue. But that is also because playing a recital was entertainment. Having a party to display your paintings was a social event and put you in good standing. It was not for the sake of the art itself and it certainly was not because the public school teachers were spending more time teaching the principles of the color wheel.
So it's TV and the moving picture industries that killed art IMHO.
Now if only blogging were an art...
Re: Artists...
"Artists are in higher demand these days because schools killed their art programs??? Not a chance. If anything that means we have more rubes who don't know how to appreciate or create art.
This is the reality of the global economy: art programs were killed in the US, but not in Europe, or Japan. Americans may be "rubes" who don't appreciate art and design, but our customers certainly do! It's not about "training" the artistic mind... its about nurturing it so that it can grow. Popsicle houses are more powerful that you think ;-)
So... American companies are desperate for people who know art, design, empathy, and communication... as well as their day-to-day jobs. And guess what? Because American kids never learned these things in school, there aren't many of these people available. Therefore, those expert software programmers who also know color theory and design can command a higher salary.
high demand + short supply = price inflation
supply and demand
Bex,
right on - I have always thought that unemployment current that has been so dramatic was due to what you wrote here
"Jobs are moving to Asia for one basic reason: SUPPLY AND DEMAND. Nothing more. Most American businesses prefer American workers, simply because culture differences, currency exchange rates, and time zones are a pain to deal with... but Asian workers are so much cheaper that they are worth the extra pain. However, these wages are only low in Asia because Asian industries are not big enough to demand local software developers, lawyers, and accountants. Once Asia becomes more industrialized, Asian businesses will be demanding "left-brained" Asian talent... which decreases their supply... which drives Asian wages up... which makes American talent more attractive to American businesses again.
This is just cyclical unemployment on a global scale: no more. Again... some research by the author would have been nice...
Thirdly, because of "Automation," those who just follow a well-defined process will be easily replaced by robots, computers, or Asians (apparently). In other words... technology eliminates low-skill jobs. SHOCKER! But of course, this isn't actually true. As any economics professor will tell you, technology is disruptive, but it doesn't eliminate jobs in the long run. The simple fact is that workers who learn how to use the new technology become more productive, and therefore more valuable to their employers! Yes, job responsibilities shift around a bit, but overall productivity increases, which creates more jobs in the medium term."
Right on!!
Mark
THIS BOOK WAS HORRIBLE.
THIS BOOK WAS HORRIBLE. DANIEL PINK HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT!!!!!
Left brained review
This review cracks me up because as an outsider it is obvious that it is so left brained. Of course you thought the book was horrible. You couldn't move to your right hemisphere enough to even be open to it. This book is brilliant. In 15-20 years I bet your perspective will be different (if you allow yourself to open up). I know it's sometimes scary to step out of the "black and white" of the left brain, but give it a chance sometime. The colors of the right brain can actually add alot to your life as well as those around you. Not only that...it can be just plain fun!
Re: Left brained review
This isn't a left-brain versus right-brain issue... its about speculation versus evidence. Any yahoo could write a book making bizarre claims. What makes a book great isn't some insane idea; its an insane idea that is actually backed up with facts, and stands up to analytical review. Also, your advice to me is a tad odd. My review clearly states this:
The single saving grace of this book are the right-brain exercises. They are pretty fun ways for a left-brain-leaning person to step out of their comfort zone and flex the right brain a little.
So when you say this:
I know it's sometimes scary to step out of the "black and white" of the left brain, but give it a chance sometime. The colors of the right brain can actually add alot to your life as well as those around you. Not only that...it can be just plain fun!
It makes me think that you didn't even bother to read my review... you are just re-iterating what I wrote back to me, as if I didn't know it already... quite odd.
And FYI, I'm neither left-brained nor right brained... I've taken multiple tests, and they typically come back with the unusual result of hemispheric balance. I can see the world from either a left- or right- brained perspective... whichever is more appropriate at the time. So, when I read a book saying "right brainers rule!!!", it occurs to me that the best thing to do is open up a can of left-brained whoop ass ;-)
Post new comment