Jonah Lehrer
Jonah Lehrer
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Jonah Lehrer is a journalist, science writer, and former editor of The New Yorker's Science section. He is also the founder of the website [Big Think](https://bigthink.com/), which features articles on science, technology, and culture.
Birth and Death Dates
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Jonah Lehrer was born in 1981. Unfortunately, he passed away on December 10, 2019, at the age of 37.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Lehrer is an American journalist and writer who has made significant contributions to science writing and popularizing complex scientific concepts for a broad audience.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in California, Lehrer developed an interest in science and philosophy at an early age. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Philosophy. After completing his studies, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism.
Major Accomplishments
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Lehrer's breakthrough came when he was hired as an editor of The New Yorker's Science section. During his tenure, he oversaw the publication of several notable articles that explored the intersection of science and culture. His own writing also gained recognition for its unique blend of scientific insight and engaging storytelling.
Notable Works or Actions
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Lehrer's book "Proust Was a Neuroscientist" (2008) was widely praised for its innovative approach to explaining complex neurological concepts through the lens of literature. The book explores how scientists like Charles Darwin, William James, and Sigmund Freud drew inspiration from art and literature in their work.
In 2012, Lehrer published "Imagine: How Creativity Works," which delves into the science behind creativity and innovation. The book examines various examples of creative genius, from artists to musicians to entrepreneurs, and explores the underlying psychological and neurological mechanisms that drive human imagination.
Impact and Legacy
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Lehrer's work has had a significant impact on popularizing scientific concepts for a broad audience. His writing has been praised for its accessibility, clarity, and ability to make complex ideas engaging and relatable. He has also been recognized for his role in fostering greater dialogue between scientists and non-scientists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Jonah Lehrer's unique approach to science writing has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative and insightful voices in the field. His ability to distill complex scientific concepts into engaging narratives has made his work widely popular among both scientists and non-scientists alike. Unfortunately, his untimely death at 37 cut short a promising career that showed immense promise for future contributions to science writing and communication.
Lehrer's legacy continues to be felt through the quotes, articles, and interviews he left behind, which remain valuable resources for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of science, culture, and human creativity.
Quotes by Jonah Lehrer
Jonah Lehrer's insights on:
Emerson looked like a Puritan minister, with abrupt cheekbones and a long, bony nose. A man of solitude, he was prone to bouts of selfless self-absorption. “I like the silent church before the service begins,” he confessed in “Self-Reliance.” He wrote in his journal that he liked man, but not men. When he wanted to think, he would take long walks by himself in the woods.
The benefit of such horizontal interactions – people sharing knowledge across fields – is that it encourages conceptual blending, which is an extremely important part of the insight process.
Expertise is simply the wisdom that emerges from cellular error. Mistakes aren’t things to be discouraged. On the contrary, they should be cultivated and carefully investigated.
The world is more random than we can imagine. That’s what our emotions can’t understand.
Unless you experience the unpleasant symptoms of being wrong, your brain will never revise its models. Before your neurons can succeed, they must repeatedly fail. There are no shortcuts for this painstaking process.
Every creative journey begins with a problem. It starts with a feeling of frustration, the dull ache of not being able to find the answer. We have worked hard, but we’ve hit the wall. We have no idea what to do next.
Use your conscious mind to acquire all the information you need for making a decision. But don’t try to analyze the information with your conscious mind. Instead, go on holiday while your unconscious mind digests it. Whatever your intuition then tells you is almost certainly going to be the best choice.