Elastic: The Power of Flexible Thinking

Description

From the best-selling author of The Drunkard's Walk, an empowering book on how elastic thinking helps us thrive What do Pokemon Go and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein have in common? Why do some businesses survive, and others fail at the first sign of change? What gives the human brain the edge over computers? The answer- Elastic Thinking. It's an ability we all possess, and one that we can all learn to hone in order to succeed, at work and in our everyday lives. Here Mlodinow, whose own flexible thinking has taken him from physics professor to TV scriptwriter and bestselling author, takes us on a revelatory exploration of how elasticity works. He draws on cutting-edge neuroscience to show how, millennia ago, our brains developed an affinity for novelty. He discovers how flexible thinking enabled some of the greatest artists and innovators to create paradigm shifts. He investigates the organisations that have demonstrated an elastic ability to adapt to new technologies. And he shows you how you can test your brain power.

Leonard Mlodinow is the bestselling author of The Drunkard's Walk (New York Times Notable Book), Subliminal (winner of the PEN / E. O. Wilson Award), The Upright Thinkers and, with Stephen Hawking, The Grand Design. Trained as a physicist, he has had a very elastic career, writing for television series such as Star Trek- The Next Generation and working in the gaming industry before becoming a full time writer while continuing to publish physics papers as a hobby.

Elegant and interesting. . . packed with insights, puzzles and philosophical interludes -- Steven Poole * Guardian * Timely and engrossing. . . a fascinating exploration of how the human mind deals with change -- Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit A book of sparkling intelligence, written with humour and grace -- Mark Williams, author of Mindfulness, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford Leonard Mlodinow never fails to make science both accessible and entertaining -- Stephen Hawking A fascinating, useful look into how the brain works. Perfect for neophiliacs and everyone else who's dealing with a changing world -- Seth Godin, author of Tribes Leonard Mlodinow will make you smarter -- Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy In this wise and persuasive book, Leonard Mlodinow calls for a change in the very way we think. Using a deft mix of science and storytelling, he shows the limits of linear thinking and the promise of 'bottom up' thinking that embraces ambiguity -- Daniel H. Pink, author of When A manifesto for intellectual flexibility. . . If we are to thrive in this new world, argues bestselling science writer Leonard Mlodinow, we're going to need less linear, logical, analytic reasoning and more creative "elastic thinking" -- Julian Baggini * Financial Times * 'Stretchy' brains are best. . . Mlodinow's core message is well worth hearing -- Hugo Rifkind * The Times *