How We Got to the Moon

Hint:  It wasn't by using approximations.

At least that's what my better half tells me.

Interestingly, this discussion of moon expeditions began when we were on our own little odyssey:  a journey to the post office to get the kids' passports.  Since only certain post offices process passports, we had to go to an unusual location, which was no problemo because I'd been to this post office before, albeit many years earlier, and knew I'd recognize the area.  However, despite my crystal clear ability to recognize formerly-visited locations, I've been married long enough to know that my spouse would want a number to look for, so, to humor him, I looked up the address before we left.

Once in the car, I relayed "8315 Richmond Highway" to Mr. Driver and off we merrily went... at first.  Funny thing was, when we got to that address we couldn't find the post office.  So, at my request, we kept on driving south.  I knew by sight we hadn't reached "The Area" yet.  Of that I was certain.


However, after a few minutes of still finding no post office Mr. Driver got antsy and said, "Are you sure that 8513 is the right number?"

I thought about it a second and said, "Maybe not." 


A long pause ensued while my brain searched its number archives. 

"No that's definitely not the right number,"  I concluded.  "It's actually 8315."

"Katie, that's a totally different number!" he responded, exasperated.

"I'm very aware of that.  I was just giving you an approximation."

"Oh, I see.  An approximation."  He shook his head and added sarcastically, "Yeah, that's how we got to the moon- by approximating!!"


He's witty, that one.

You see, numbers, and specifically, details, and I have never really clicked.  I have a blast researching and discussing complex abstractions such as literary theory, the varied nuances in career studies, and neuropsychological concepts.  And in my creative pursuits such as writing, art, coaching, performance and career design I am downright meticulous!  But ask me to mess around with Quicken and household appliance manuals and I just want to take a nap.  A very long nap at that.  Actually, one in which I wake up and someone else ((i.e. my better half)) has it all done.

This energy drainage has a lot to do with a facility (or lack thereof) with small details versus big concepts.  Now, you can imagine which facility society tends to value most: the small detail orientation.  It's just the way things get done.  For example, imagine if IRS agents only gave rough estimates about what a person owes, or if librarians put books kind-of-sort-of-in the right vicinity.  Or, even worse, what if civil engineers sat around discussing only what a new bridge would mean philosophically instead of figuring out all of the specific measurements and mathematics involved.  I myself would not want to drive over a bridge that was all concept and no detailed research and calculations!

So, does that mean that the abstract-oriented people, or right-brain thinkers, are completely screwed?  I mean, if details make the world go round, where do those without that detail facility fit in?   At the back of the unemployment line? 

Well, that answer depends on the Right-Brainer's tenacity to find work in which details are necessary but don't comprise the majority of daily job tasks.  Psychologists, marketing whizzes, career coaches (phew!), therapists, and certain types of artists and writers exemplify just a few of the hundreds of careers that don't need to be detailed 24/7.  In fact, abstract concepts are the meat and potatoes of these careers. Furthermore, I've discovered pretty good employment news for abstract/ big concept peeps out there.  Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future,  writes convincingly,

"The era of “left brain” dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which “right brain” qualities-inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate."

In his book, Pink specifically mentions the increasing importance of the new "six senses" necessary for a successful economic future, the first being design.  Not highly detailed, measurement-driven design, but a more right brain, visual, abstract design movement. Design that feels and looks rich in ideas and builds a rapport with its audience. Notice, for example, the way in which advertising using art and the printed word have become more and more concept-oriented, with collage cartoons becoming a staple.  Detailed realism seems to be a bit on the passe side.  He also describes at length the other five senses which will predominate business and society as we know it:  story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning.

Whether you believe his prophecy or not, Pink definitely gives us something to think about.  And thankfully he gives us Right-Brainers a glimmer of hope.  Now, I personally don't know if we'll rule the future (seriously- God forbid!) but I agree with him that society seems to be widening its horizons, recognizing minds that are not necessarily linear nor number-driven nor particularly detail-oriented.

Mr. Pink is not the only one foreseeing a shift in how business will need new types of abilities.  As quoted in a recent issue of Fast Company Magazine, Silicon Valley investor John Doerr, of Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, stated that the World Wide Web is shifting “from an old Internet of documents and sites to a new one that’s all about people and places and relationships.” The largest, leading edge companies, according to Doerr, see this relationship building endeavor- social media/networking and the like- no longer as "add-on's" but rather a core component of doing business.
In turn, billions of dollars have already been poured into creating these high touch, relationship-oriented corporate endeavors.

Given Doerr's sweeping statement, what does that mean for the next wave of hires that companies will be tracking down? Several questions come to my mind from a career standpoint:

Will those people who are more relationship and concept-oriented than fact and detail-oriented become hot commodities?

Will Monster.com soon be filled with more abstract, right-brain job descriptions?

And on the university front:

Will social science and art departments join ranks with business and engineering as "good choices" in the eyes of parents?  (English majors rejoice!) 

Could it be that corporations and small businesses will end up giving social science grads interviews instead of passing glances? 

Lastly, and most importantly, will the schools of Arts & Letters, sometimes nicknamed "Arts & Parties" at certain universities, now be known as Arts & Income?

Perhaps.  But I know you are thinking the same thing I am:  it's gonna take a looooooong while, if this is indeed the case.

Admittedly, despite the evidence I read on a daily basis, I myself am not convinced that society will no longer prefer detail-oriented individuals (like my significant other, for example.)  But I do know that the times they are a changin' and we will see an openness to talents of all shapes and sizes.  And if a right-brained, big picture person doesn't figure out what he or she has to offer (besides straining to fit into the standard fare of very linear and detail-oriented jobs), these same individuals may miss some very meaty opportunities.  Of that I am sure.

No really, I am certain of this fact, not like the number 8315, or 8513, or whatever it was I was only approximately sure of.

Check out the Fast Company article in its entirety by clicking below:
http://www.fastcompany.com/1696941/doerr-get-social-or-get-left-behind?partner=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fastcompany%2Fheadlines+%28Fast+Company+Headlines%29


You can find Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind at most major booksellers or at http://www.amazon.com/Whole-New-Mind-Right-Brainers-Future/dp/1594481717/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289160174&sr=8-1