A Whole New Mind: Part One

Take a look at the photo below: What side of the brain do you feel holds your personal strengths? Why do you think that is? I identify my strengths as more Left Brain with strengths in language, math, and facts--and I struggle with being creative and Art as a whole. Why is that and why does it matter?

Photo from http://www.ucmas.ca 

Much of what we teach and encourage in education is left-brain based, including the standardized tests that often open (or close) the doors to college and beyond. But there is a movement developing that may change how we approach these types of analytical aptitudes. Daniel Pink's book "A Whole New Mind" is an interesting take on society's transition from left-brained focus into what he calls the "Conceptual Age," and how we will have to reprogram our ways of thinking and learning in order to be successful in this new era.

What is the Conceptual Age?
According to Pink the Conceptual Age is the era in which we're heading where creators and empathizers are going to be 'main characters' in the work force. It is the transition from the left-brain directed thinking of the Informational Age into an age where computers and outsourced workers can do much of that work for us now, faster and cheaper. Because of this we need to be innovative and creative, utilizing a right-brain directed thinking that had been ignored or under emphasized in the past, to find our unique niche and be successful. It's more of a concept based thinking rather than simply using facts and informational knowledge.


Why does Pink believe this "Conceptual Age" requires a whole new mind?
He 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. Pink says 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.

Photo from http://www.danpink.com/

As a whole I agree with what Pink is suggesting, especially his points on how general abundance is influencing part of this change in thinking. His statement, "The very triumph of L-Directed Thinking has lessened its significance," really helps hit this idea home for me (Pink 33). We have become so successful due to L-Directed thinking and have so many products, options, and choices--and yet we're still unhappy. R-directed thinking allows for enlightenment and fulfillment in meaning and interactions rather than "things." This is definitely something I agree with and strive to make priority in both my own life as well as in teaching. I also love the idea of having a alternative SAT assessment like the Rainbow Project to measure the previously ignored characteristics such as comedic or empathetic aptitude. It is qualities like these that often mark the difference between average and greatness in a profession and it's unfortunate that we have been unable to "test" them until now.

The next step in my mind is thinking about how we can integrate this type of focus into our education system without losing the parts of L-Directed thinking that have allowed us to get to this point. It seems like it could be difficult to balance in the classroom, but then again that may be because of the type of information learner I was and how I was taught to teach. I'm interested in learning and reading more about it and will let you know what I come up with in the near future.