Temple Grandin: Different Minds for Different Times
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In a recent episode of the Remarkable People podcast, Temple Grandin, a renowned figure in autism, animal behavior, and engineering, discusses her new book "Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions." Temple sheds light on the concept of visual thinking, explaining that she has always thought in pictures and didn't realize until later in life that others think in words. She highlights the strengths of visual thinkers, such as their ability to be specific and invent mechanical things. However, she emphasizes the importance of having a diverse team that includes both visual thinkers and mathematically inclined individuals in engineering.
Temple expresses concern that object visualizers are often overlooked or misunderstood, especially in education systems that have removed shop classes. She believes that their skills are necessary in industries like poultry processing and electronic chip manufacturing. She also discusses the issue of standardized testing and the emphasis on passing Algebra as a requirement for success in STEM fields, expressing concern about the loss of skills in various industries.
Temple emphasizes the importance of a combination of visual and mathematical thinking in preventing disasters and maintaining critical infrastructure. She shares an anecdote about the Boeing 737 MAX issues, where visual thinkers noticed risks that others overlooked. Temple also discusses her writing process, research methods, and the concept of "twice exceptional" individuals.
The importance of apprenticeships, hands-on learning, and mentors is highlighted, and Temple provides advice for parents and teachers working with neurodiverse children. The episode concludes with Guy Kawasaki expressing his appreciation for Temple's insights and experiences, and Temple sharing a lighthearted story about her choice of footwear.
In a recent episode of the Remarkable People podcast, Temple Grandin, a renowned figure in autism, a