Final Blog- Literature Circles

I read: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
I'm responding to: Becca W's blog on Temple Grandin's Thinking in Pictures, My Life with Autism

Initially, it is unlikely that one would think these two books are related in any way. However, there are various similarities among them.

In the first few lines of her response, Becca discusses the way that Grandin instructs and guides the reader through autism. When I read this, I thought about how Johnson uses this same method of informing and guiding. Though Johnson teaches the reader about the perfect formula for innovation and good ideas- not autism. Therefore, both of these books are, to an extent, handbooks or guides.

Not only do both of these books act as teaching devices, they also largely discuss innovation and inventions. Becca mentions Grandin's squeeze machine, which actually simulates a hug or a hold. I considered this fascinating invention for awhile and about how well it relates to Where Good Ideas Come From. Johnson mentions a variety of inventions, such as incubators that run on car parts, the printing press, and the World Wide Web. All of these things were once just small "slow hunches" or ideas that had been brewing in someone's mind. However, after some creativity and work, these small thoughts grew into inventions that have had an immense impact on society today. I thought about Grandin's invention and realized that this process probably happened in her mind while she considered creating the squeeze machine.

The squeeze machine is so entirely creative that I'm surprised it didn't appear in Where Good Ideas Come From. To simulate a human embrace is an entirely new and significant idea. I think Grandin's invention is the epitome of creativity and innovation.

Johnson uses the metaphor of "coral reefs" often in his book. By referencing animals (especially those that live within coral reefs) to humans, Johnson mimics Grandin's thoughts that humans are very much like animals. Johnson especially mentions the amazing abilities of animals- like the water flea Daphnia that is capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction and the beaver that indirectly creates a "platform" for many other species.

Although Temple Grandin wrote a book about living with autism and Steven Johnson wrote a book on the history of innovation, there are striking similarities between the two.