Think left and be left...behind

It is commonly understood that humans hold different intellectual facilities in different areas of the brain. The left side is associated with logic, process, analytics, and deduction, i.e. math and science. Conversely, the right brain is where humans derive creativity, imagination, and theory. Some folks definitely exercise these halves disproportionately, but if we follow a generally held belief, we find that many people lean toward the left side in their day to day brainwaves.

Further anecdotal evidence associates the hand with which one writes to the side of the brain which is dominant. If you're a righty, as an estimated 80-90% of the world is, then you're likely a left brainer. If you're a lefty, then you might just be a bit more creative than analytical.

So then, why am I dancing between the halves of my own brain to write this blog (creative) using a logical argument? I'm doing so because I recently read some bits from a book by Daniel Pink titled A Whole New Mind. Mr. Pink relates the future of the business world to being a conceptual age - one in which the right brained folks begin to dominate the success stories of the business world.

The reasoning for this proposition are a few, which I will grossly and inadequately sum:
1. Many left brained activities are slowly being replaced by artificial intelligence. Computers are doing the work that people (right handed people...think bean counters) did for quite a long time - better, cheaper, and faster. Even within a country by country look at this factor, you can see outsourcing as playing the same role - with the developing world taking over the routine first world jobs.

2. Creativity has long been valued by the business world, and is near and dear to the definition of entrepreneurism. However, as information and access to it have grown, differentiation becomes more difficult and the part time right brainer can't be as successful as they have historically. The ability to stand out and markedly respond to the market in unique methods will be the critical success factor as markets continue to mature.

Need some proof? Think Apple versus Microsoft/PC's. Think Toyota's Scion brand. Think manufacturing industry versus entertainment.

Will science and math go away? Absolutely not. Will we still need innovation and scientific exploration to progress as a global society and form a foundation for business and life? Certainly. Should we foster creativity and dynamicism in our children through school choice, etc? Indeed. Will the people who are naturally more left brainish and creative begin to progress more quickly than others? Looks likely.

Think left and be left. Fostering the right brain seems the right decision. But then that statement was based squarely in my left brain (logic) And with that humor, we're back to right again. Just 9 more volleys and my right brain exercises for the morning are through...left, right, left, right. :)