Thinking Differently

Two brilliant minds discuss what it means to analyze information and produce solutions outside the mainstream A Penguin eSpecial from Dutton BOOKS

For the first time ever renowned economist and coauthor of one of the world’s most influential economic blogs, Tyler Cowen, sits down with best-selling author and autism advocate Temple Grandin for a lively in-depth exploration of the value of autism in the modern world.

Just as he does in his book Create Your Own Economy, Cowen argues that individuals on the autism spectrum are integral to the world’s many faceted economy; they create all kinds of value in financial, intellectual, cultural and even political markets. Their talents regarding the organization of information are of critical value now, and they are talents we all share to some extent. Cowen and Grandin discuss the nature of autistic thinking, the historical, future and global contributions it can make, as well as the damage done by the stigma currently associated with the autistic label. Valuing the unique and specialized autistic cognitive abilities of each member of society--understanding how we think differently--is the key to the unimaginable prosperity the modern world has yet to offer.
© George Mason University
Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics at George Mason University. He is a prominent blogger at marginalrevolution.com, the world's leading economics blog. He also writes regularly for the New York Times, and has written for Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Wilson Quarterly. View titles by Tyler Cowen
© Kelly Buster
Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and the author of the New York Times bestsellers Animals in Translation, Animals Make Us Human, The Autistic Brain, and Thinking in Pictures, which became an HBO movie starring Claire Danes. Dr. Grandin has been a pioneer in improving the welfare of farm animals as well as an outspoken advocate for the autism community. She resides in Fort Collins, Colorado. View titles by Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

About

For the first time ever renowned economist and coauthor of one of the world’s most influential economic blogs, Tyler Cowen, sits down with best-selling author and autism advocate Temple Grandin for a lively in-depth exploration of the value of autism in the modern world.

Just as he does in his book Create Your Own Economy, Cowen argues that individuals on the autism spectrum are integral to the world’s many faceted economy; they create all kinds of value in financial, intellectual, cultural and even political markets. Their talents regarding the organization of information are of critical value now, and they are talents we all share to some extent. Cowen and Grandin discuss the nature of autistic thinking, the historical, future and global contributions it can make, as well as the damage done by the stigma currently associated with the autistic label. Valuing the unique and specialized autistic cognitive abilities of each member of society--understanding how we think differently--is the key to the unimaginable prosperity the modern world has yet to offer.

Author

© George Mason University
Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics at George Mason University. He is a prominent blogger at marginalrevolution.com, the world's leading economics blog. He also writes regularly for the New York Times, and has written for Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Wilson Quarterly. View titles by Tyler Cowen
© Kelly Buster
Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and the author of the New York Times bestsellers Animals in Translation, Animals Make Us Human, The Autistic Brain, and Thinking in Pictures, which became an HBO movie starring Claire Danes. Dr. Grandin has been a pioneer in improving the welfare of farm animals as well as an outspoken advocate for the autism community. She resides in Fort Collins, Colorado. View titles by Temple Grandin, Ph.D.