The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World - Softcover

Eagleman, David; Brandt, Anthony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857862073 ISBN 13: 9780857862075

Publisher: Canongate Books, 2017

Synopsis

Our relentless drive to create makes us unique among living creatures. What is special about the human brain that enables us to innovate? Why don't cows choreograph dances? Why don't squirrels build elevators to their treetops? Why don't alligators invent speedboats?

Weaving together the arts and sciences, neuroscientist David Eagleman and composer Anthony Brandt explore the need for novelty, the simulation of possible futures, and the social components that drive the inventiveness of our species. Taking us on a tour of human creativity from Picasso to concept cars to umbrellas to lunar travel, Brandt and Eagleman explore the cognitive software that generates new ideas, and illuminate the key facets of a creative mentality. Through understanding our ability to innovate - our most profound, mysterious, and deeply human capacity - we can meet the challenge of remaking our constantly shifting world.

About this title

Review:

"The unaccountable, jaw-dropping quality of genius" (GEOFF DYER Observer)

"Mind-blowing revelations abound" (Financial Times)

"Entertaining and profound: page-turning neuroscience from a bit of a genius" (Guardian)

"A lively exploration of the software our brains run in search of the motherlode of invention . . . Beautifully produced, illustrated and written. [The Runaway Species] sweeps the reader through examples from engineering, science, product design, music and the visual arts to trace the roots of creative thinking" (Nature)

"A shining example of lucid and easy-to-grasp science writing" (Independent)

"A fun read by a smart person for smart people . . . It will attract a new generation to ponder their inner workings" (New Scientist)

"Popular science at its best" (Boston Globe)

"Appealing and persuasive" (Wall Street Journal)

"A beautifully illustrated deep dive into human creativity . . . This is a must-read for anyone with curiosity about the workings of the human mind" (Wired)

"David Eagleman is a brilliant neuroscientist, a bestselling author and a man of enormous discernment" (The Sunday Times)

Book Description:

A powerful exploration of human creativity from the international bestselling author of The Brain; 'the hottest thing in neuroscience' - The Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Canongate Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0857862073
• ISBN 13: 9780857862075
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304