The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World

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.

Reviews of The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World

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 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 * * Essential and timely . . . a smart, captivating book that will give you a prefrontal workout * * Nature * * David Eagleman is a brilliant neuroscientist, a bestselling author and a man of enormous discernment * * The Sunday Times * * The posterboy of neuroscience with ideas that will stretch your mind * * Observer * * The rock star of neuroscience * * Telegraph * * Eagleman has a talent for testing the untestable, for taking seemingly sophomoric notions and using them to nail down the slippery stuff of consciousness * * New Yorker * * David Eagleman may be the best combination of scientist and fiction-writer alive — STEWART BRAND David Eagleman is the kind of guy who really does make being a neuroscientist look like fun * * New York Times * * Eagleman provides an excellent overview of the workings of our most vital organ * * Sunday Times * * Bringing a storyteller's articulate and fluid narrative to a scientist's quest, Eagleman dances across an incredible spectrum of issues * * Brainpickings * *