Simon Baron-Cohen, "The Pattern Seekers: A New Theory of Human Invention" (Allen Lane, 2020)
Jan 26, 2021
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Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University, discusses his new theory on human invention. He claims that understanding autistic people's drive to seek patterns is key to understanding human creativity and the evolution of invention. The podcast explores the role of autistic individuals in driving innovation throughout history and advocates for greater acceptance and inclusion of neurodiversity.
Understanding autistic people and their drive to seek patterns is crucial for understanding the origins and development of human invention.
Creating inclusive environments and embracing neurodiversity can tap into the immense potential of autistic individuals and promote innovation.
Deep dives
Understanding Autism and Human Invention
In the podcast episode, Simon Baronkone, the author of 'The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention,' discusses the role of autism in human creativity and invention. He presents the theory that understanding autistic people, with their unique drive to seek patterns, is crucial to understanding the ancient origins and modern development of human invention. Baronkone emphasizes the need to change societal perceptions and treatment of autistic individuals, recognizing their potential as highly skilled systemizers and contributors to science, technology, art, and other forms of invention. He highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments in schools and workplaces to support individuals with autism and foster their strengths.
The Link Between Autism and Invention
Baronkone explores the link between autism and the capacity for invention. He explains that the basis for invention lies in the if-then pattern-seeking mechanism in the human brain, which allows individuals to find and experiment with patterns. Autistic people, who are often hyper systemizers, excel at understanding and creating patterns, making them likely contributors to the history of invention and innovation. However, Baronkone emphasizes that invention is not limited to autistic individuals alone, as many non-autistic hyper systemizers also possess similar traits and contribute to the creative process. He encourages society to recognize, value, and include individuals with diverse thinking styles to promote innovation.
Challenges and Opportunities for Autistic Individuals
Baronkone discusses the challenges faced by autistic individuals, including the lack of accessible and timely diagnostic services, limited support systems, and societal misconceptions and stigmatization. He calls for increased funding and support to address these challenges in order to create more inclusive environments in schools and workplaces. By fostering acceptance, understanding, and accommodation for autistic individuals' unique strengths and thinking patterns, society can tap into their immense potential and provide equal opportunities for their personal growth and contributions to various fields.
Promoting Neurodiversity and Inclusion
Baronkone advocates for the concept of neurodiversity, recognizing the diverse range of brains and thinking styles in society. He highlights the importance of embracing neurodiversity in schools, workplaces, and society at large to promote inclusivity, equality, and innovation. By shifting the focus from seeing differences as deficits and obsessions as negative, to embracing them as strengths and unique perspectives, society can create an environment that values and supports the contributions of autistic individuals as well as others with different thinking patterns. This approach can lead to positive societal change and improved mental well-being for individuals with autism.
Why are humans alone capable of invention? This question is relevant to every human invention, from music to mathematics, sculpture and science, dating back to the beginnings of civilization. In The Pattern Seekers: A New Theory of Human Invention, Simon Baron-Cohen, the director of the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University, presents a new theory of human invention. His unexpected claim is that understanding autistic people — specifically their unstoppable drive to seek patterns, a characteristic of the condition — is the key to understanding both the ancient origins and the modern flowering of human creativity.
In The Pattern Seekers, Simon Baron-Cohen’s goal is two-fold: to provide an answer to the long-standing question about human invention and to understand the role that autistic people played in the evolution of human invention. His higher message is to change the way our society views and treats autistic people. “Among the new generation of hypersystemizers will be some of the great inventors of our future…If we acknowledge that some autistic people were and still are the drivers of the evolution of science, technology, art, and other forms of invention, their future can be different.”
Galina Limorenko is a doctoral candidate in Neuroscience with a focus on biochemistry and molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases at EPFL in Switzerland. To discuss and propose the book for an interview you can reach her at galina.limorenko@epfl.ch.
