em_sierra19's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
b0toxdenkirk's review against another edition
1.0
just the most mind-numbingly obvious corporate propaganda that you can think of. Like omg, did you know CEOs are starting to prioritize eMpAtHy and dicking around playing LEGOs during work time?! Never mind that this narrative excludes those people, especially in the Global South, who have not been liberated from the chains of excruciating, intense labor (there's even an entire section on jobs being outsourced to Asia--no consideration of the working conditions for this nebulous Asian monolith, however), but this book initially came out in 2005, and none of Pink's predictions were very prescient. In 2023, the pressure to major and develop a career in STEM is more pressing than ever, and even entertainment and arts is being increasingly commodified and algorithmfied. Us commoners get to reap the benefits of shrinkflation and stagnant wages while those who got a BS in comp sci at Ivy schools are the ones who get to play foosball at work.
Never mind that this book is packaged as non-fiction, but is really aggressively self-help focused, which I DESPISE. The advice is always so banal, so obvious, that I don't see how anyone can truly benefit from it. The author also has an annoying tic where instead of explicating something, he just lists names instead. Add this to the circuitous repetition of the scant info, and this book is really grating.
Never mind that this book is packaged as non-fiction, but is really aggressively self-help focused, which I DESPISE. The advice is always so banal, so obvious, that I don't see how anyone can truly benefit from it. The author also has an annoying tic where instead of explicating something, he just lists names instead. Add this to the circuitous repetition of the scant info, and this book is really grating.
christofofofof's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
stevensabby's review against another edition
5.0
As a former English teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed Pink's ability to put into words the reasons I have always known that right-brained skills are more valuable than they've ever been.
rainycraze's review against another edition
4.0
A fun read, with many recommendations that made me add a whole bunch more books to my reading list.
I don't have much more to say than that, other than the title can be a bit misleading. I have seen a definite shift in right-directed thinking taking over corporate America, but in the book Pink does describe the most successful people are those who have mastery over both right- & left-directed thinking.
I don't have much more to say than that, other than the title can be a bit misleading. I have seen a definite shift in right-directed thinking taking over corporate America, but in the book Pink does describe the most successful people are those who have mastery over both right- & left-directed thinking.
rwaringcrane's review against another edition
4.0
There's hope for touchy-feely folk like me, according to Pink and his analysis of work in the 21st century. No more apologizing for my right-brained leanings or feeling confused by the learned left-brain survival tactics that have kept me "respectable" as an academic. Now, all I need to do is figure out how the left and right come together for me in a better professional iteration and my whole new mind.
fernliketheplant's review against another edition
5.0
This was an interesting look at how the world is changing and what we can do about it. The premise is that the knowledge age is over, and if we want to "get ahead" we must develop skills in areas where technology is not (yet) equipped to reach. The author offers explanations and examples of Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning, followed by practical examples of how to build capacity in those areas. This was a really great read, and I highly recommend!