A Whole New Mind

Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future

Daniel Pink

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink explores the shift from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age and challenges the traditional view that left-brain thinking is superior. Through compelling research and thought-provoking anecdotes, Pink argues that right-brain skills such as creativity, empathy, and pattern recognition are becoming increasingly valuable in the workforce and society at large.

The book starts by analyzing the importance of the left-brain-dominated Information Age where logical, linear thinking and analytical skills reigned supreme. However, Pink makes a convincing case that the progression of automation, outsourcing, and abundance has rendered these skills less valuable and more easily replicable.

Pink then introduces the Conceptual Age, a new era where creativity and empathy become crucial for success. He highlights six essential aptitudes - Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning - that he believes individuals must cultivate to thrive in this age. Each aptitude is explored in depth, with practical advice on how to develop them.

Pink draws upon a wide range of disciplines, from psychology and economics to education and design, to support his argument. His engaging style and accessible writing make complex ideas easy to understand and relate to. He provides numerous examples of how individuals, organizations, and schools have embraced and benefited from right-brain thinking.

Furthermore, Pink provides examples of how individuals can adapt their skillset to meet the demands of the Conceptual Age, and identifies the emerging professions that require a more holistic and well-rounded approach. He emphasizes the importance of integrative thinking, how different disciplines can be combined to create innovative solutions.

In conclusion, "A Whole New Mind" challenges conventional wisdom and suggests that right-brain thinking is essential for success in the modern age. It offers valuable insights into how individuals can develop and embrace their right-brain aptitudes to thrive in a changing world. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply interested in the future of work, this book provides a roadmap for adapting and flourishing in the Conceptual Age.

Explore More Books

See All
Showing Up for Life
The Emotionally Intelligent Investor
Happiness
Killers of the Flower Moon
Team of Teams
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon
Monetizing Innovation
Statistical Consequences of Fat Tails
René Girard's Mimetic Theory
Trump and Churchill
Midnight In Chernobyl
The 48 Laws of Power
Statistical Models
The Third Chimpanzee
Unravelling the Double Helix
The Better Angels of our Nature
Liar's Poker
Factfulness
Boyd
Teddy and Booker T.
Think on These Things
Son of the Morning Star
Deep Survival
Human Action
Something Like an Autobiography
Good Profit
Growth IQ
Born a Crime
Ficciones
Manias, Panics, and Crashes
Stretching the School Dollar
The Deficit Myth
The World Until Yesterday
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
How Asia Works
Falling into Grace
The Hustler
The Bonfire of the Vanities
The First Crash
Stone Age Economics
The Meaning of the 21st Century
Pride and Prejudice
Origin Story
Cognitive Surplus
Fables
Experimental Man
Who We Are and How We Got Here
The Statistical Mechanics of Financial Markets
Distress
Memoirs
A Woman Makes a Plan
Mastery
Outlive
Sell with a Story
A Writer's Time
The Master Switch
Starting Strength
The Book of Life
The Truth Machine
The Sunday Philosophy Club
The Last Days of Night
Infectious Generosity
The Social Photo
Dear Founder
Flying Start
The Four
Fertility Pastures
Rise of the Robots
Hit Refresh
Investment Biker
A Second Chance
One Up
The Fund
Fooling Some of the People All of the Time
Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines
Lifespan
The Principia
Ishmael
Too Dumb to Fail
The Last Lion
Deep Simplicity
But What If We're Wrong?
T
Never Eat Alone
Plan B 3.0
The Mind of Napoleon
The Singularity Is Near
The Art of Possibility
Understanding Comics
The Little Bitcoin Book
Information
Complexity
The Making of Prince of Persia
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
Little, Big
Positioning
Data-Driven Marketing
Continental Reckoning
The House of Getty