'A Whole New Mind' by Daniel H. Pink

It’s a bold headline.  It’s meant to be.  The internet-addicted, the intrepid thinkers, and the kids that once drew outside the lines; these are the next generation prospects that today litter countless of blogs and throw no caution to the cyber wind. Perhaps you may deem this a baseless prediction, but if the recent past is anything to go by, both digital creatives and non will be spearheading the future.

What’s Out There Now

The explosion of the internet in the early 90’s ‘democratized’ opportunities: anything and everything was (and still is) possible, whether you were a trust-funder or a high school drop-out.  The internet has created a platform for virtually everyone, including social network Myspace co-founder, Tom Anderson.  Anderson, whom we all remember as our first friend when we jumped onto the Myspace bandwagon, is now sitting back and watching his endeavor expand. In just under six years, Myspace has grown from a tiny project of 7 people to a profitable business that engages over 1,600 employees.  

It therefore didn’t come as a surprise when, in 2006, Rupert Murdoch forked out $580 million to purchase Myspace (although the recent announcement that co-founder Chris DeWolfe is leaving Myspace may have him reconsidering his investment). In any case, Anderson will forever be accredited with starting what has been described as a “…vibrant creative community with 130 million passionate followers worldwide.”

Not unlike Anderson, Rob Kalin is another unexpected creative and founder of a recent digital phenomenon, Etsy.com, a platform which offers artisans a space within which to sell their unique wares.  Kalin, a former ex-carpenter, had begun by redesigning GetCrafty.com, an online community for craft hobbyists, and later built Etsy with the help of friends Chris Maguire and Haim Schoppik. What Kalin had spotted was the growing interest in artistic, traditional wares, particularly amongst the younger crowd.

This particular trend has also been reflected in the popularity of  literature dedicated to creatives. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink is a best seller which covers the hows and whys right brainers (the side of the brain that controls our creative abilities) are rapidly rising in modern economies. In his work, Pink illustrates 6 “indispensable aptitudes” for professional success and personal fulfillment which will be vital in what Pink has described as tomorrow’s Conceptual Age.  These include Empathy (the ability to look beyond logic and to tap into our emotions and intuition) and Play (bringing humor and light-heartedness to business and products). So it would be wise to take heed to Pink’s suggestions and start cultivating the right side of your brain–it will be your first step into the future.

What’s On the Horizon

Work in creativity: Jobrapido, The Creative Way
Post your creativity: Ooffoo, Etsy
Thrive creatively: Build your own website at WordPress