Author says right-brain thinkers have big advantage

Left-brainers can analyze it all they want, but author Daniel Pink says right-brain creativity is the key to success.

Pink, author of "A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future," will discuss his work at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pfeiffer Hall on the campus of North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave.

Pink is a contributing editor at Wired magazine and has written for the New York Times and Harvard Business Review. He also served as former Vice President Al Gore's speechwriter from 1995 to 1997.

He says getting a college degree doesn't guarantee people will go far in today's world. Instead, right-brain characteristics such as artistry and inventiveness are eclipsing logical and analytical left-brain abilities.

"All sorts of routine left-brain work can get done faster by computers and cheaper overseas," Pink said via e-mail.

"To survive today, you have to be able to do work that's hard to outsource, hard to automate and that delivers on the growing demand for design, emotion and meaning."

During his appearance he'll be talking about his theory, as well as answering questions from the audience and signing copies of his book.

The event is part of the Naperville Reads campaign, which began in 2002 to spark an interest in reading for residents of all ages. The program is a partnership among Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville Public Library, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204.

Susan Greenwood, community relations coordinator for the Naperville Public Library, said Pink was a fitting choice to coincide with this year's theme -- "Unlock Your Mind."

"Whether you think you need to be in your right (brain) or not, we want people to think about the ways they think," Greenwood said. "To look at new ways of doing things."

Even those who are naturally left-brain thinkers can learn to use the rest of their mind through exercises Pink gives to sharpen six senses, such as design, empathy and play.

"The abilities I write about are fundamentally human abilities," Pink said. "All of us have them. But in a world where they weren't (in) demand, they often weren't called out of hiding. So we just need to work those muscles back into shape."

During Pink's visit to Naperville he also will be making presentations to teachers and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

There are also opportunities for Naperville Reads participants to listen to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra and participate in discussion groups.

Greenwood said Naperville Reads is designed to engage the community in the featured authors, whether they agree with his theories or not.

"That really is one of the purposes of Naperville Reads, to have people discussing what they're reading," Greenwood said. "You enjoy the reading, but it's good to discuss the concepts with other people."

For details on Pink's visit and related events, visit http://napervillereads.org/.

If you go

What: Daniel Pink appearance

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave.

Cost: Free, tickets available at all three libraries and Anderson's Bookshop

Info: (630) 961-4100

Where else: Pink will speak to the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce at noon Monday at the Wyndham Lisle Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Road. Tickets: $25 for members, $35 for others. Info: (630) 544-3365.