I enjoyed Mlodinow’s earlier books Subliminal and The Drunkard’s Walk and am pleased to say that this book is in much the same vein and did not disappoint. The main thesis is that humans have a proclivity for elastic or flexible, non-analytical thinking, which especially important in the modern, rapidly changing world.

Elastic thinking is not a hypothetical construct but an actuality that is linked to specific parts of the brain, in the same way that scripted or analytical thinking is. Computers excel at analytical processes and exceed the capabilities of humans in that regard. That is why a human chess master cannot beat a computer. But computers utterly lack the creative talents supplied by elastic thinking. Computers can write in the manner of gifted authors but can only do so by creating algorithms that replicate their styles and so are dependent on human originality and creativity.

Mlodinow has a great talent for making current scientific research accessible and understandable and for bringing together diverse studies and findings to present a coherent picture of what it all means. His use of anecdotes illuminates and interactive devices such as surveys and puzzles allows the reader to not just read about the ideas presented but to discover and experience them first-hand. He also presents practical tips for cultivating mindfulness and expanding elastic thinking skills.

I was familiar with some of the ideas presented here from such sources as Radiolab and TED Talks, but it’s nice to see some of the different parts fit together in this way and to have it presented in such an entertaining and enjoyable way.