Product Description No organization can survive without iconoclasts -- innovators who single-handedly upturn conventional wisdom and manage to achieve what so many others deem impossible.
Though indispensable, true iconoclasts are few and far between. In Iconoclast, neuroscientist Gregory Berns explains why. He explores the constraints the human brain places on innovative thinking, including fear of failure, the urge to conform, and the tendency to interpret sensory information in familiar ways.
Through vivid accounts of successful innovators ranging from glass artist Dale Chihuly to physicist Richard Feynman to country/rock trio the Dixie Chicks, Berns reveals the inner workings of the iconoclast's mind with remarkable clarity. Each engaging chapter goes on to describe practical actions we can each take to understand and unleash our own potential to think differently -- such as seeking out new environments, novel experiences, and first-time acquaintances.
Packed with engaging stories, science-based insights, potent practices, and examples from a startling array of disciplines, this engaging book will help you understand how iconoclasts think and equip you to begin thinking more like an iconoclast yourself.
Another Article Padded Into A Book. December 4, 2008 If this was a 100 page long booklet, I would give it 3.5 stars- but the last half is just padding and fluff.
Even then, Iconoclast is part of the disturbing trend of popular books from authors like Po Johnson, Malcolm Gladwell, or "made to stick" - authors repacking common sense as uncommon - and convincing the reader they are brilliant for reading it, unlike those other dumb folks out there. Most of all, they avoiding saying anything people don't want to hear and the books seem almost designed to attract lucrative corporate speaking fees, rather than really challenge the reader.
This book is a little better than the afore mentioned examples, because it does actually shed some light on new research and insights, but not by much. As a side note: For a book that touts 'thinking differently" I would have loved to hear some other example of fear/evolution than 'running from a sabre toothed tiger" (do we actually have any examples of this? ) or Rosa Parks as the defining moment in US history.
On the upside: the author does offer some great insights onto why we get stuck in thought patterns and how the perception can literally distort what is before our eyes.
There is an article in Fast Company plugging the book that is actually a better read than the book.
Iconoclast-review November 30, 2008 I have found the book, Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How To Think Differently, a very interesting book, but not for what the title suggests. For myself, this is not a "how to" book, but more "why" they think differently. The reason I say this, is that, the description of an Iconoclst, fits myself to a "T". The author seems to think, however, that this is something to be sought after and something that therfore can be acquired. Maybe it can, though I'm not sure I'd want to acquire it if this is possible (or advisable) to do voluntarily. The life altering experiences that some of his examples have, Dale Chihuly losing an eye, come to mind. It is my experience that there is not a on and off switch to becoming an iconolclast. That it is pretty much a inalterable experience. Most of the focus is on "successful" iconoclasts. I think that the graveyard of unsuccessful iconoclasts is a much greater percentage. The example of Milton Erickson, the famous hypnotist, psychiatrist, comes to mind. He learned hypnosis in the context of his becoming a polio victim, not once, but twice. He learned hypnosis partly to control his own pain on a daily basis (which was off the scale since the polio caused his muscles to detach from his bones). No one since Erickson's death has been able to duplicate his knowledge in the hypnosis field probably due to no one in the field becoming a polio victim. Though I'm sure alot of practitioners (myself included), would love to duplicate his expertise, I'm fairly confident that no one would want to become a polio victim to do so. The downside is fairly steep obviously. Therfore, this book is more of a source of identity or why have I become the way I am, kind of book. Therefore it can be of value to those of us who are already iconoclasts (or their family and friends) and help understand why the way we are. This is of great value to me, since being "different" than everyone else is not all that it's cracked up to be. For many, it can be a living nightmare, as it appears that it was for Howard Armstrong, the man responsible for creating fm radio and ended up killing himself.
Brilliant Inspiration for Surpassing Accepted Beliefs November 30, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Some readers will quibble over the author's definition of the title word, "iconoclast," but that kind of small-time thinking is exactly what this book shows smarter readers how to side-step. No, this is not really a "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" kind of guide, but Bern DOES do an excellent job of (a) describing physiological reasons why most of us automatically abide by accepted dogma, specifically so that, (b) we can avoid such narrow thinking and not be afraid to break up old thinking constructs (iconoclasm) in order to establish new, better ones.
I particularly like that this book is not just about business, science, politics, or any one subject. It's applicable to many areas of work and life. By drawing lessons here from a broad range of categories -- business, art, science, medicine, technology, social justice, and more -- it's easy to see how iconoclastic thinking can be applied fearlessly most anywhere the phrase "If only..." comes up. Likewise, this book's insights could equally benefit both experienced pros and recent college grads (or college drop-outs, for that matter) who are just beginning careers.
I also really like Berns' writing style. While it's always clear that he is, indeed, a neuroscientist, he's also clearly comfortable and confident enough in his work and subject matter that he can write in down-to-earth language without sounding as though he's talking down to readers. I got the impression that he genuinely wants you to "get" his thesis and be able to act on it yourself.
Finally, since you're also here to judge whether "Iconoclast" is worth your $20 - not just to read my ramblings - I can also say that it definitely is. I note this because it's the holiday season as I write this, and I've already bought additional copies myself to give as gifts. Unlike many "how to" or "self-help" books, after all, the lessons of "Iconoclast" are a valuable, lifelong education, not trendy business-speak or psycho-babble.
Enjoy.
Interesting Read, Written at a Fairly High Level November 30, 2008 A number of the other reviews give a pretty good view of the theses of this book, which basically provides a fairly comprehensive neuroscientific view of thought. It's an interesting read, but also somewhat challenging (it simplifies the subject matter but is still not always that easy to absorb).
The book does a lot of things but doesn't do others.
It is not really a how to book (while it outlines characteristics or thought processes of remarkable or unusual thinkers it doesn't for the most part direct the reader on how to think differently themselves).
It doesn't really answer the nature/nurture type question: Is innovative thinking chemical/genetic or can people train themselves to think outside the box? For the most part (as I read it) the author falls on the born-with-it side of that dichotomy.
For the amount of detail the book goes into regarding the locations and interactions of various thought processes within the brain it lacks a comprehensive map of the brain, which might make it easier to follow certain parts where the science gets a bit dense.
All in all a good read, but not as practical as the subtitle or marketing might have you believe. If you're interested in the science or biochemistry you'll dive right in. If you're looking for the more typical five or seven or ten step business or self-help book you may have a hard time (or finish thinking you didn't get it).
Interesting but writing a litle uneven. November 30, 2008 The book discusses iconoclastic behavior. The thesis of the book is that successful iconoclasts perceive differently, are less risk averse and have high social intelligence.
There are well written passages on brain function and various social engineering and psychology experiments. Throughout the text Berns scatters brief biographies of people he considers iconoclasts. Though not part of the thesis other traits that seem to run through the biographies are an unshakable self belief and persistence. Berns finishes with a discussion of drugs that might induce iconoclastic mindset.
This covers an interesting topic but i found the writing a little uneven, darting here and there at times or dwelling on some non-salient point. This may have be the result of poor editing, hence 4 stars.
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