Bernie's Ramblings: How might the human race be different if humans had evolved a dominant right hemisphere?

How might the human race be different if humans had evolved a dominant right hemisphere?

Imagine a world with more John Lennons’ and fewer Vladimir Lenins‘, it's easy if you try. If the human race were right-brain dominate thinkers our world would definitely be different. It would be a place where intuitive, holistic, and creative thoughts would abound with acceptance and credibility. We would see the whole picture more often, placing greater value on human life and our environment and less on the bottom line. What’s in it for us would replace what’s in it for me. We would question things more... Common Sense and Common Good would be motivating factors in all we do. By now you can tell I’m biased when it comes to this subject, after all, I am a right-brainer!

Can right-brain thinking change the world?

As long as I can remember art has been a part of my life. I was one of the few people in high school who took art class seriously and didn't consider it a crypt course. I was fortunate enough to have a great teacher who really worked with those of us who were serious about art. Unfortunately, growing up in the 70's where left-brain thinkers seemed to rule... us right-brainers were often told... "Oh that's a pretty picture... but you have to get a real job if you want to eat". As a grown up I now realize I was caving into false teachings and letting someone else tell me what to dream.

Today, thank goodness, there is a shift, the right-brain revenge per say. Logical and precise left-brain thinking gave us the Information Age... now comes the Conceptual Age, ruled by artistry, empathy, and emotion. According to best-selling author and business analyst, Daniel Pink, not only can right-brain thinking change the world… it is changing it! In an Issue Post online news article, linked below, the author uses Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, to support this statement.

Can Right-Brain Thinking Change the World? (2009).

I selected this website because the title hooked me. Once hooked, I read the article and Pink made many valid points about his thoughts on right-brain thinking. He mentions society is learning to better appreciate the non-linear, creative work of right-brain thinkers such as artists, musicians, designers and storytellers while the logical, linear, spreadsheet abilities of left-brainers still matter, but they matter less. Many left-brain professionals are becoming vulnerable in that they can be easily replaced. Many professions like accounting, law and computer programming are being exported to cheaper workers overseas or are being performed by computers.

Pink’s conclusion and mine are the same, right-brain and left-brain thinking need to give way to a new order of whole-brain thinking if we are to be at our best. We are seeing signs of it in the workplace, however, we need to start introducing the value of right-brain thinking at an earlier age so it can catch up with its counterpart. For that to begin, schools need to give equal weight to the arts, creativity, and the skills of imagination and synthesis. Balance and harmony are fruits of the whole-brain thinker.

You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.

Food for thought...huh?

Are you a right-brainer? Take this online quiz to find out...

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

Thanks for dropping by... please feel free to share you views on this topic in the comments...
Bernie

Source:
Pink, D. (2006). A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. New York: Riverhead Books.