Elastic: Flexible Thinking in a Time of Change by Leonard Mlodinow. Leonard is in fact a theoretical physicist and widely recognized for his discoveries in physics.
Throughout the book he shares stories about both parents (before meeting) having survived the holocaust. His father was part of the resistance in Poland and was sent to Buchenwald. Moreover, he worked and co-authored a book with Stephen Hawking.
Leonard describes elastic thinking as “what endows us with the ability to solve novel problems and to overcome the neural and psychological barriers that can impede us from looking beyond the existing order.”
This book certainly reveals new discoveries in the neuroscience of change. Above all, our brain works in many ways, right side versus left side, injury outcomes, medication, and absolutely amazing technology advancements in brain research. For example, the introduction story of Pokemon Go is a baseline example for Elastic Thinking.
Dr. Mlodinow unquestionably identifies elastic thinking as a series of multiple sets: neophilia (an affinity for novelty), schizotypy (a tendency toward unusual perception), imagination and idea generation, and finally divergent and integrative thinking.
How we apply Elastic thinking
Undoubtedly you will learn noted figures in history from Frankenstein author Mary Shelley to jazz musician Miles Davis. I found it very interesting to learn that imagination in a very relaxed state allows the brain to create ideas in contrast to legacy practices.
In addition, he proves long held beliefs of rational, analytical, top-down driven thought is actually incorrect. Leonard allows his research and data to understand how we can we train our brains to be more elastic when confronting change.
In conclusion this is an amazing read. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how to change their thinking. There are similar ideas to thinking from Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol. I certainly look forward to my next book The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better, Happier by Friederike Fabritius and Hans Hagemann.
Talks at Google | Elastic: Flexible Thinking in a Time of Change
RSA | The Power of Elastic Thinking with Leonard Mlodinow
Rubin Museum | Deepak Chopra + Leonard Mlodinow: The Elastic Mind + The Healing Self
Skeptic | Elastic: Flexible Thinking in a Time of Change
Barry Kibrick | Elastic 1.0