I thank all of you who have posted a comment, or a new thread, in our discussion so far. Now that we're a few weeks into the experience I have the customary reminder (in two forms)...
Your Right Brain might say, "I'm realizing that it's not just the reading of this book, but our dialog and exchange of ideas for improved professional practice that will supply the time needed for Act 48 and Flex credit. I can't wait to explore Pink's ideas and then connect with everyone else on the blog! I see connections here that influence my classroom, home, and hobbies. The blog site is nice, but I should probably get a picture of myself for my account so other people know what I look like when we comment to each other."
Your Left Brain might say, "I better keep up with my comments on the blog site or Dave won't be able to give me the hours I need to stay home on the next Flex Day."
Of course "both sides" make some valid points....
Please read through the end of Part One (ends on page 61) so we can discuss Pink's opening section - and begin to move on to the heart of the book. I've seen some comments around Design, and I know each of his "six senses" will spur some good dialog.
Add a comment to an existing post, or start your own. Tell us about your hemispheric dominance; argue about automation, abundance, and Asia; debate high concept high touch; or just make something up to get your feet wet! We need to see more conversation on the site....
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8 comments:
I have finished the first part of the book and found the career projections particularly interesting, having two kids entering the job market. And they're Math and Science majors!
This part seem to be evidence gathering for his thesis, which he states often. On the one hand, I have heavy right brain leanings and would like to see a trend toward artistry in business but on the other, I don't buy all of his analyses.
For instance, I, too, have noticed odd designs in mundane objects (what was it - a toilet brush?). But I think this design trend is a spawned by boredom and extravagance. "Art", in my experience and reading, is spawned by craving and deprivation. So I think what he's calling "design" is just more left brain activity calculating to make a profit, when satisfying a need is no longer an issue.
I think his thesis is good, I just have a few problems with the evidence. Looking forward to part 2.w
Wow, Wendy. Those are my thoughts exactly. I agree with Pink that businesses today have to find more creative ways to market and sell their products, but is it simply to sell me something that I really don't NEED? My swell husband and I have had this "design" discussion many times over cars. I'm fine with driving a minivan that drives reliably and gets me (and the kids) where we need to go with extra space and less complaining about who is touching who! On the other hand, Dave would like a car that looks good, is fun to drive, has the power, etc. Is this emphasis on design really about art and creativity or about defining ourselves by our possessions? Hasn't it always been about the latest designer handbag or shoes to help our self-esteem? On a more positive note, I have been enjoying the book and am looking forward to hearing more "stories."
Did you see that last post? I guess that's the risk I run when I get my wife in the same session that I'm facilitating...
Maybe I'm rationalizing, but it's not the "brand recognition" I long for in a car (I drive a Volswagen after all) - it's the design. The bringing together of function, aesthetics, and innovation to a complete whole that raises the whole experience of even mundane tasks (like getting from one place to another).
Well, I often joke about how I am attracted to shiny things in stores...I too buy lots of things I don't need, but they certainly are pretty-some are even useful! I like to blame it on my family's addictive personalities-my dad and brother like things that are shiny and have wheels (they collect many vehicles/motorcycles) mom has old collections of glass/dishware, and an Imelda Marcos-envious collection of shoes.
I had a somewhat boring epiphany last year...after looking through all of the stores' leftover seasonal merchandise, I stated that I remember when beautiful decorations/dustibles/chatchkies (sp?) were quite expensive "back in the day", and now you can find some decent-quality, "one-of-a kind" looking pieces from Target, and HomeGoods stores. Oh, and when I went to college, I made it my mission all summer to search for the coolest things for my dorm room-it was a job! Now, kids have it easy, with so many affordable choices and all of the pretty colors!
Now, you all know way too much about how I am fooled by design!
Yes, these are great points. I've been feeling the tension of design and nice things and stewardship. I can live simply and well with less. And, what about our environment? Many Americans get tired of their things and they end up in the trash during the yearly garage clean out. It might take 6 years for it to get to the curb, but many things do make their way out of our lives. So I ask myself, "Do I really need this?"
My husband's way to save money when our finances get tight is that we only spend money to replace things that are worn out. This is a nice guideline because there's no second guessing associated with spending to replace. If we've worn it out, it was useful to us. (Of course this doesn't apply to clothes for a daughter who has grown dramatically over the last year or two).
Back to the environment, my kids went to a global warming conference in DC last fall. The statistics on our country's consumption and use of the world's resources are staggering. I love that as the Pink mentioned, some companies are thinking ahead and designing the components for optimal recycling at disposal time. We no longer have the luxury of magical thinking when it comes to our waste. I'm hoping more and more companies adopt this way of thinking in their design process.
In the meantime, my youngest is in a graphic design class, loving every second of it. I thought she was on the medical doctor or electrical engineer path due to her way of figuring things out, but she just loves art. Her computer knowlege, (math and science brain) will serve her well in graphic design. So while reading the book I'm becoming less concerned about her chosen path. The book has been quite timely in broadening my level of hope that my oldest will leave college employable.
I love Wendy's paragraph on boredom and extravagance. Well phrased observation! Diane, "defining ourselves by our possesions", another phrase that struck a chord. Dave, how long is the mundane experienced raised? Is there a point where the design is no longer noticable and it becomes driving to work again? Or do you really feel good every time you drive it in a way that makes it worth it? If you're wired that way and you know it, then it would be good to go with it. Human kind seems to need more and more, so I guess the temptation is to think that what we have might no longer be enough, and need to replace it with the newer, better whatever, before it wears out. I know that's happened to me more than once with a trendy clothing purchase on a trend that didn't last 2 years. What to do with those extra wide bottom slacks! Remeber those from the mid/ late 90's?
A Whole New Mind brings many ideas and thoughts for me to consider. Hope you are having fun with it too.
I agree that perhaps we should not focus so much on the "extravagance," as Wendy put it, that is driven by our right-brained, perceived need for new and clever things. Is it really necessary to have so many choices just for the sake of creativity? It seems to me that there is a lot of waste involved in providing so many choices. At the same time, we are so accustom to this that we not only crave the choices, we expect them. It's too late to go back, and most of us wouldn't be happy if we did. I like Kathy's husband's method of replacing things that are worn out. That's not extravagant and yet still allows one to take advantage of the many choices that are likely to be available for the replacement item.
On another note... Being so dominant in the left-brain has made me wonder what sorts of things can be done to help balance that out. I do struggle sometimes to create lessons that are geared for the more right brained individual or for right brain development. It seems a lot of traditional school activities (including testing) are best suited for the left-brain dominant student. I just read an interesting article in "Science Illustrated" magazine saying that a researcher has found that ceiling height affects how people think. People who were asked to solve problems in a room with 8-10 foot ceilings produced "freer, more abstract thinking" than those in rooms with lower ceilings. Naturally I measured the height of the ceiling in my classroom. The ceiling in my room is 9.5 feet high. Perfect! Perhaps I should let the room itself take care of encouraging "freer thinking."
I especially enjoyed Pink's definition of story as "context enriched by emotion." Teaching narrative writing to fifth graders presents the challenge of getting 10 and 11 year olds to share their emotions as they craft a story. We all know that writing is hard, and that the best stories often tug at our emotions. I am an avid fan of Lisa Scottoline's Chick Wit Sunday Inquirer column. Her stories often reduce me to tears of laughter - such a treat! I think it's because she is able to spin raw emotion into her experiences - something I can relate to personally. Reference her "Topless" article (www.scottoline.com) ladies! Hilarious!
I've been noticing the concept of "story" is showing up everywhere. I just received a real estate advertisement cloaked in a story format. It was interesting to read and cleverly crafted! There was also an emotional aspect to the advertisement courtesy of a cute picture of a young family and the implication that purchasing a home would fulfill their hopes and dreams by allowing them to create "lasting memories in their new home."
On page 106 Pink states that "in the Conceptual Age . . . we must awaken to the power of narrative." Looks like he's on to someting!
With the abundance and waste around us all, I especially keep questioning things like, why are the "regular" lightbulbs still created? Why can't it be "governed" that only the environmentally-conscious products take over our shelves. Yes, it would be a little more expensive at first, but if that's all that's out there, competitive pricing would ensue. So, yup, I said it, I want my choices taken away (for certain things) and give up our rights to choice (on certain things)!
Perhaps was are leaning in that direction...voluntary "lights out" at 8 pm for an hour on Sat 3/29/08, tax refunds for energy efficient home improvements, tax credit for hybrid cars...I guess these are baby steps.
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