The Matter with Models
Models and the McGilchrist Hemisphere Hypothesis
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”. — Albert Einstein 1
The question below came in following my recent article “All models are wrong”:
“Geoff I saw that your recent article about how all models are wrong, but some models are useful, sometimes, under some circumstances, for some purposes, sparked some interesting comments and reactions when you posted it to LinkedIn.
The responses made me wonder if you’re familiar with the work of Dr Iain McGilchrist? I’m currently reading his latest book “The Matter with Things” which seems to relate to your recent article. I’d be interested in your views on his work and any connection you see with your work in general and your recent article in particular.”
I respond to the above question in the 21 minute Future-Fit Culture Frequently Asked Questions video below.
Additional Links
The video above cites several additional resources — links in the footnotes:
The previous article All models are wrong that prompted the above question. 2
Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte-Taylor had a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for. At the age of 37 she suffered a massive left hemisphere stroke, saw her “normal” brain functions shut down, whilst something else extraordinary opened up. She described her “Stroke of Insight” at TED. 3
Dr Iain McGilchrist lays out the nature and implications of his Hemisphere Hypothesis in The Master and His Emissary 4 and The Matter With Things. 5
John Ralston Saul book Voltaire’s Bastards — subtitled The Dictatorship of Reason in the West. 6
Iain McGilchrist’s YouTube channel features his dialogues with physicist turned neurobiologist Alex Gomez-Marin, working their way through The Matter With Things chapter by chapter. 7
Sign up to be informed of upcoming Drinking Dialogues hosted by EQ Lab, including my 5th and 7th/8th November session on McGilchrist’s work. 8
"What Life Means to Einstein” An Interview by George Sylvester Viereck in The Saturday Evening Post (26 October 1929), p. 17.
Jill Bolte Taylor Stroke of Insight at TED Monterey 2008.
The Matter With Things (2021) at Perspectiva Press.