Will Right-Brainers Rule The Future?

Now that we're in the 21st Century, can we tell what changes are occurring from the 20th Century that is now behind us? Can we predict what will change? What jobs and careers will develop that didn't exist before? What skills will we need?

The transition from the 19th to the 20th Century saw many changes. We changed from an Agricultural Age to a new Industrial Age -- making steel, cars, heavy industry. In more recent decades, we moved into an Information Age -- workers off the assembly line, now sitting at a computer monitor.

Currently, the emphasis in many jobs is on the logical, linear, analytical -- Left-Brain thinking. In the future, will companies begin to give equal importance to our Right-Brain abilities, which are more intuitive, creative and empathetic?

That's the theory behind a great book that I am re-reading:

A WHOLE NEW MIND

Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future

Written by Daniel H. Pink

Pink explains it all much better than I can, but let's see if I can cover some basics. He refers to the era we're entering as The Conceptual Age.

Computers are good at doing logical, sequential work. And many computer programming jobs are easy to outsource. But it is harder to outsource creativity, inventiveness and design.

While logical, linear thinking is still important, it's no longer enough. Creativity, design, and seeing the big picture are also valuable.

We tend to value the logical, left-brain as being the smart, more important side. The creative, artsy right-brain, has often been thought of as silly, or not as important. But that may be changing. For example, they have found that a well-designed hospital room that uses certain colors, can actually help people heal faster. So, perhaps good design is not silly.

For my own selfish reasons, I hope this theory is correct. The many jobs I've held over the years have mostly utilized my left-brain abilities (organization, administration, common sense). But if I could also use my right-brain skills (writing, art, design, inventive ideas) it would be so much more interesting and enjoyable. Most positions want you to pick one or the other, especially in large corporations, where they like to categorize and pigeon-hole people.

This book was written in 2005. In the last 5 years, I wonder if the author has started to see this change taking place in many companies... any companies? Change always takes time, and if we're in the midst of it, we may not realize it's changing until sometime in the future, as we look back. I hope it is happening. It would be nice of we could introduce more artistry, creativity, empathy, storytelling and play into our work days, wouldn't it?

Wishes for 2010

Here we are in 2010. What will the new year bring?

We're not even sure what to call it... Is it twenty-ten? Or two thousand and ten? Or 2K10? Or are there other versions? What did we call the last decade, the 00's? The Oughts? The Zeros? We are in the 21st Century, we know that much. It feels like a time of great transition. That's true for me personally, but it feels like it's also true for the whole world. Let's hope we continue to learn and grow and evolve into better human beings, living in a better world.

Wouldn't it be nice if more people believed in peace, and kindness, and compassion? Does that sound corny? Why is that? "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding" was a song written in the 1970's. But too many people still laugh at these ideas.

In some circles, it's cool to be tough, violent, hateful and mean. This seems pathetic and childish to me.

Can we make it cool to be smart, kind, generous and compassionate?

Can we stop making fun of people who are different than us? Because, let's face it, every single person you meet is different than you. Let's stop teaching that we're all alike, because then people seem shocked when people are different. Other than the fact that all humans need the basics like food, air and water, every single person you meet is different from you... physically, mentally, their experiences, their stories. Even your family members. Everyone is different. We can learn a lot from different peoples' different stories, if we just stop and listen, and stop being shocked by the differences. Let's embrace them. The world would be a boring place if everyone was just like you. Or me.

If you choose to hate someone because they're different from you, you'll be living a very hate-filled life, because you'll have to hate everybody. Maybe it makes you feel better about your insecure self for a short time, but there must be other, more positive ways to achieve that.

It's not cool or smart to be violent or hateful. It's dumb and childish.

That's my wish for 2010...

Let's make it cool to be smart and kind. Here's to peace, love, and understanding.

Artist Jeanne-Claude

So sad to hear of the death of Jeanne-Claude. Her husband, Christo, is perhaps the more well known name, but together they've created amazing things. I was fortunate to see both The Umbrellas in Southern California in 1991 and The Gates in New York Central Park in 2005. Check this YouTube link, for a short video of my experiences with both projects:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l14w4izSXfA

Their projects sometimes caused controversy, but I was always amazed, first of all, how they even came up with such bold, inventive ideas, and then, how well executed the projects were. Before The Gates opened in NYC, I read an interview with Jeanne-Claude. I may not have the quote exactly right, but here's how I remember it. She said when asked, about The Gates, "What are they for?" she replied, "They are not for anything. It is art. That is all."

Both The Umbrellas and The Gates made me smile. Inventive, playful, bold ideas, for art, for beauty, to make people smile. What can be wrong with that? It's very right-brain thinking.

I hope Christo will continue to create the inventive works he's known for, though I'm sure it will be difficult without his life and art partner.

Maybe We Should Outsource Some Executives

Corporations are saving money by finding workers in other countries who work cheaper than American workers. Well, here's an idea... I bet we could find top-level executives in many other countries who will work much cheaper too. Think of how much money corporations could save if they started outsourcing some top-level management positions!

I heard a statistic that at one time, top-level executives were paid about 30 times more than the average worker. Now, apparently, those top positions are often paying 300 or 400 times as much as the average worker. Or more.

And it's not like the executives are taking any big risks either. Just think, even if an executive completely fails and destroys a company, somehow his buddies at other corporations or on other Boards just hire him somewhere else. And we've seen that when some companies fail, they came crying for a bailout. Oh boo hoo, we failed, now save us. Privatize the profits, but socialize those losses. They screwed up, but we're all bailing them out. It's so wrong. Even when they're failures, most top executives don't suffer any consequences. They're not worth the multi-million dollar salaries and benefits they're receiving.

Another way they "save" money is by firing the experienced workers, so they can hire newer, younger, cheaper workers. (I think Circuit City did that.) Hey, I bet that works for executives too! Don't hire that $40 million Exec. I will run your company for only $1 million per year! I bet I can screw it up as easily as those more experienced and more expensive executives! I may not have the experience, and I don't have the highest level of what seem to be the most prevalent personality traits for high-paid Executives and Wall Street types... They seem to be mostly greedy, stingy and selfish... as long as I get mine, I don't care what happens to anyone else.

Look at the investment groups that buy companies, and dismantle them by selling off real estate or other short-term plans. They personally walk away with millions, while a company is destroyed, and thousands of people lose their jobs. Just look up what happened to Mervyns stores. I guess destroying an entire company and thousands of jobs doesn't matter, as long as you got rich. I got mine, screw you guys! It's pathetic. Do these people have no conscience, or any sense of fairness? Destruction is so much easier than creation. Any idiot can destroy things. It takes skill to actually create, build, or make something.

And if the numbers about executives making 300 times the average worker are true, just think, a company could layoff only 2 top executives, and keep 600 workers. Doesn't that make more sense? And heck, if the laid off execs are so skilled and valuable, they shouldn't have any trouble finding another position.

Maybe this doesn't actually make sense, but... it makes as much sense to me as anything that's happening these days.

Dolphins off the coast of Newport Beach

Learning how to edit videos on my Mac computer is fun. Time consuming and challenging, but fun.

In April, 2009, from a whale watching boat off the coast of Newport Beach, CA, dolphins were playing in the wake of our boat. Take a look on You Tube. I made the music on my Mac too.

Dolphins off Newport Beach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3SwMSAVN40

The National Parks

While I always enjoy spending time at the beach, after watching the Ken Burns film "The National Parks" on PBS last week, I am ready to plan a trip right now, and try to make it to every one of America's beautiful National Parks.

It's a fascinating story of how these parks were established, and set aside for the enjoyment of all people. It wasn't easy, there have been many struggles, and history has shown that we humans aren't always careful about what effect we're having on the natural world. But I'm thankful that there were (and still are) people with the foresight to protect the amazing examples of nature these parks hold -- the stunning geography, amazing wildlife and variety of trees and plants. How could humans even consider that we could improve upon what only nature can create.

It's hard sometimes to find and keep a balance between the progress of our modern world, and the beauty of the natural world. But it's an important balance to maintain. We need to spend a little more time in nature, and be sure it's still available to the generations who will come after us.

Beach Therapy

Is it the feel of the ocean breeze, and the sea air? Is it the light on the water, even on a cloudy day? Is it the sounds of the waves and their rhythm? Is it the calls of the seagulls, the diving pelicans, the occasional visit by dolphins?

For me, it's the combination of all these sensations that makes a solo visit to a quiet beach so refreshing. It's my beach therapy. Sit and watch the shifting sunlight in the changing clouds, the rippling water. Calm my breathing, quietly getting in sync with the waves' rhythms. Breathe in the ocean breezes, listen to the seagulls, feel the sand on my feet, between my toes. Something for all the senses, a calming meditation. Even if it's just for a few minutes, you can leave the troubles of the world behind, enjoy being in the present moment, soaking in the beauties of nature, to breathe deeply, relax and recharge, before returning to life's routines.

I'm lucky, I live near enough to an ocean to enjoy occasional beach therapy sessions. When I haven't been near the ocean, I found that looking out on a lake or a river works, too. Even without the large ocean waves, watching the ripples in the water can have a relaxing, calming influence. For some people, being up in a mountain or standing amongst the trees in a forest is their favorite place for quiet contemplation, or a calming meditation. For me, it's sitting in the sand on a quiet beach, watching the ocean. Not always easy to find a spot like this, but worth it every time. I highly recommend a little Beach Therapy, whenever you can find it.

Free Art, Museum Day, Sat. Sept 26

Sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine, a selection of museums nationwide will be open for free this Saturday, Sept. 26. Go to their website:

http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/

Search for the list of participating museums (listed by state, or zoom the map into your area and check the marked locations). Then complete some basic information, print out your Museum Day Admission Card, and take it with you to the museum of your choice.

Enjoy a free day at a museum near you!

Murder Suicides

On a somber note, when anyone commits a murder-suicide, I wish they would do the suicide first.

Project Runway

Now that Project Runway has moved from Bravo to Lifetime, fans wondered if the show would change. Except of course, that the show was filmed months and months ago, while their eventual place of broadcast was still being, uh, let's say debated. (that's what lawyers do, right? debate...)

So it looks very much the same as it did on Bravo. They're in LA instead of NYC, but since most of the action happens indoors (the sewing room, the runway set, their apartments), what's going on outside the window is not as noticeable as one might think. I keep forgetting they're in LA actually.

Project Runway episodes are fun to watch twice. The second time, it's interesting to watch the creative process, as they struggle with the design and execution, all the while knowing who ended up winning and losing. It does appear the judges this season are quickly disposing of the ... how shall I say... the more avant garde, more wacky designers rather quickly. These designers might not be as commercially viable on a broad basis if they were to eventually win, but they sure can be fun to watch.

I always counted on Bravo to rerun episodes so I could either catch up if I missed one, or catch it a second time. To be fair, on Bravo, I often accidentally found the repeats, was never quite sure when they would be on. Still not sure how Lifetime is handling their repeats, hopefully fans will be able to catch episodes that we miss or want to re-view.

The biggest change now, I think, is that both Project Runway and Top Chef have just started their new seasons. Bravo used to rotate them, so they were usually either airing one or the other. Now we're getting to know both the new chefs and the new designers at the same time, figuring out who we love and who we love to hate. Well, at least they're on different nights, so we don't have to choose a favorite. ... Wouldn't it be nice if these were the biggest problems we had to face in our daily life? It's true, they're just TV shows ... but they are fun to watch.