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Visual Thinking

The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions

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Visual Thinking

Written by: Temple Grandin PhD
Narrated by: Andrea Gallo, Temple Grandin PhD
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About this listen

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE NAUTILUS GOLD AWARD

“A powerful and provocative testament to the diverse coalition of minds we’ll need to face the mounting challenges of the twenty-first century.”—Steve Silberman

“An absolute eye-opener.”—Frans de Waal

A landmark book that reveals, celebrates, and advocates for the special minds and contributions of visual thinkers

A quarter of a century after her memoir, Thinking in Pictures, forever changed how the world understood autism, Temple Grandin—“an anthropologist on Mars,” as Oliver Sacks dubbed her—transforms our awareness of the different ways our brains are wired. Do you have a keen sense of direction, a love of puzzles, the ability to assemble furniture without crying? You are likely a visual thinker.

With her genius for demystifying science, Grandin draws on cutting-edge research to take us inside visual thinking. Visual thinkers constitute a far greater proportion of the population than previously believed, she reveals, and a more varied one, from the photo-realistic “object visualizers” like Grandin herself, with their intuitive knack for design and problem solving, to the abstract, mathematically inclined “visual spatial” thinkers who excel in pattern recognition and systemic thinking. She also makes us understand how a world increasingly geared to the verbal tends to sideline visual thinkers, screening them out at school and passing over them in the workplace. Rather than continuing to waste their singular gifts, driving a collective loss in productivity and innovation, Grandin proposes new approaches to educating, parenting, employing, and collaborating with visual thinkers. In a highly competitive world, this important book helps us see, we need every mind on board.

©2022 Temple Grandin (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Education Psychology Social Sciences Visual Storytelling
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What the critics say

“Ms. Grandin has. . . written an indictment of America for its witting or unwitting dismissal of those hidden gifts. . . . Ms. Grandin crafts a strong depiction of visual thinking, assembling personal history, historical anecdotes, scientific studies and societal trends. At stake is more than manufacturing, but a vivid recognition of the full breadth of human ingenuity.”Wall Street Journal

“All of us could benefit from realizin that we need different kinds of minds to solve society's biggest problems. Hopefully this book will inspire readers to look at the world in different ways so that we might better recognize the many assets each of us brings to the table.”Science

“Drawing on cutting-edge research, the history of science, recent discoveries in creativity and innovation, and her own lived experience, Grandin has created a powerful and provocative testament to the diverse coalition of minds we'll need to face the mounting challenges of the twenty-first century.”—Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

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Eye opening.

Temple Grandin truly is a godsend. The work and insight she has provided for animal welfare, the supply chain, and neurodiversity are unmatched.

Grandin lays out an easily consumable definition, along with many examples, of neurodiversity, object visual thinking, and the benefits object visuals thinkers have (and could) provide for society at large.

For me, her book has finally uncovered what I now expect are the inter-workings of my best friend’s brain. My friend Nolan has never been what we call “book-smart.” He has, however, always been very good at working with his hands, remembering how to navigate what appear to me are complex city routes, and constantly impressing me with his extensive knowledge of niche subjects. I now understand that he is more than likely an object visual thinker. Since listening to Visual Thinking, I have told Nolan that he likely has relatively rare visual problem solving abilities. I also told him that he should explore what his brain can do in his field of work (policing) and avoid shying away from contributing at work (though he’s already far from shy).

In this book you will learn primarily about the 3 ways of thinking, neurodiversity and what tremendous advantages it has to offer, and the sorts of issues society is not currently handling properly. If you work in education, the trades, or business, I highly recommend this book. There’s a chance that what you learn could help you or someone close to you solve or prevent a major issue that verbal thinkers tend to overlook.

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Temple Granin's a Remarkable individual for this time & age

Visual thinking served as a template for me to consider new ways to try to approach old problems and to conceptualize large problems in ways which I consider more manageable. Hearing of the difference of autism is one way to see the world of problem solving; but to see it in action through the course of the author's description and manner of thinking is very much a different experience altogether and generally an important and enlightening curiosity.

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