Is Our World An Illusion?

The Conceptual Age is Coming

This three and half minute video will introduce you to the Conceptual Age.

Conceiving the Conceptual Age

The word “Conceive” means to form a notion or idea or imagine. Or it could mean giving birth to new ideas and concepts.

Before I begin to explain what the “Conceptual Age” means allow me to explain how I came across the idea.

Three years ago I was explaining my applications and the use of affirmations. Instead of just repeating my desired affirmation over and over again, in present tense, I found it was far more effective if I would first conceptualize my thoughts around my affirmations, giving a deeper meaning and anchoring my desired thoughts through this process.

As part of my research on this, I put the words, conceptual thinking into the Internet search engines and I stumbled across a few Website mentioning the coming of a “Conceptual Age.”

This comes from a new book written by Daniel Pink, titled, “The Whole New Mind.”

He states in his book that we have already begun the transition from the “Information Age” toward what he calls the “Conceptual Age.”

The “Information Age” was about knowledge workers and the buying and selling of information and data.

The Conceptual Age is about creators and empathizers. Moving from high tech to high concept and high touch.

Pink says, “We are moving from a society built on the logical, linear, computer like capabilities of the Information Age to an economy and a society built on the inventive, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what’s rising in its place, the Conceptual Age. These people artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”

In other words using metaphors we go from using our backs (industrial) to our left brain (knowledge worker) to our right brain. (Here Daniel Pink tries to describe right brain thinking as: holistic, big picture, intuitive, non-linear.)




He describes the Conceptual Age characteristics through six senses;

Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning.

The book covers a chapter on each.

Design: It is no longer acceptable to provide a service that is merely functional instead were are required to create beauty, whimsical, and emotionally engaging in the way we design our products, experience or lifestyle. To function is not enough but rather the perfect innovative design.

Example: The success of the Internet has been in way it has been designed. The user has choices he or she can make at anytime. They can surf through the Net or do a detailed search depending upon their needs. They can play games, communicate with others around the world, or do serious research. You can sell anything on the Internet with out paying sales tax and you get to choose what countries you wish to sell to. You can have you own little private clubs, hide information upon the Web or expose other people’s secrets, but most importantly it is designed to let you choose what you wish to read, listen to or participate with on the Internet.


Story: Data alone is not enough. Information is readily available but a compelling narrative that is intriguing. The power of persuasion, self understanding, and communication skills, the capacity for great imagination, all create a good story. Every argument can be won with a great story.

Example: Hollywood has found movies can change the way people think. A good story can persuade people’s thinking. History is easily told through stories, dates, names, and locations all become a part of the story.


Symphony: It is no longer the mechanics or the gathering of information but rather how it is blended together. It is not the analysis instead the synthesis, the blending of the production, painting the big picture, crossing the lines, combing unrelated pieces and creating a whole new project. To focus on the music is not enough you must see hear and feel the symphony.

Example: I would like to use Southwest Airlines as my example of symphony. As of now they are the only airline that is showing a profit. Why? They run the company as a symphony. Everybody plays their part well. Each employee becomes a part owner in the company. They focus on not just getting you to your location but they want to make it an enjoyable experience They cross the line by making jokes with the passengers then laughing with them. Everybody is treated the same. There is no first class seating. All the planes are the same model. They offer the most unusual pricing packages. Usually they have the cheapest rates. If you want the best seating you have to go on-line and login in your confirmation.


Empathy: We have been gifted with the logical left side of our brains but logic alone will not do. To thrive mankind must use the right side of our brains and learn how to understand one another. We must forge relationships and care for one another. Logic alone will fail us but empathy will give us true prosperity.

Example: I would like to use the relationship between the boss and the employee as an example of how things are changing. Years ago an employee never saw the CEO of a corporation but only a few times a year and that was for special occasions. The CEO of today is now taking weekly strolls through the various departments getting to know the employees on a one on one basis. The CEO now wants to hear and see first hand what is going on and how the employees are getting along. They know today that this type of attention increases production and peak performance levels. They are also learning how to care for their employee without jeopardizing the company.


Play: It has been proven that laughter, lightheartedness, games and humor give health and professional benefits. There is time for work and there is time for play. In the conceptual age, play is needed in work and in life. It is ok to be serious but you must also know how to play.

Example: In the speaking and training industry we have seen an increase in books and materials regarding the play of learning. It has been proven that when you give adults clear instructions and time enough to play with a project they will quickly accomplish their task and at the same time discover the value in the playing process. Remove the pressures and watch what happens. Outside of the work environment people are taking play very seriously. Since 9/11 their has been a major increase in the intercity and urban adult sport teams.


Meaning: Mankind has been blessed as he has prospered. He has been freed to enjoy and understand himself, his significant desires; purpose, and spiritual fulfillment. An increase of wealth and possessions is not enough the desire for meaning takes precedence.

Examples: There has been an increase in the desire to understand the spiritual side of mankind and it is happening no only within today churches but everywhere. Speaker such as Wayne Dyer, Marilyn Williamson, or Deepak Chopra are speaking outside the churches challenging people to look at their spiritually. Dyer and Chopra have been featured as a speaker for the PBS network. It is not surprising for have a guest talking about spirituality outside of religion. The Learning Annex is sponsoring in major cities educational classes which now include Spirit Enlightenment, Meditation Workshops, and how to improve your Psychic Skills.


Statistics to support this shift:

The US has 30 % more people making a living as writers and 50% more making a living as composing or performing musicians. More Americans work in the arts, entertainment, and design than work as lawyers, accountants, and auditors.

The popular degree is MFA, Master of Fine Arts, it’s the new MBA. Corporate Recruiters are scouting the top arts schools looking for talent. More arts grads are occupying key positions within corporate America.

Your IQ provides only 4 to 10 % of your corporate value.

Hemispheric Dominance Inventory Test

This is a link to an assessment for your current personal preferences between the left and the right brain.

http://brain.web-us.com/brain/braindominance.htm