Customer Reviews

MegaCreativity: 5 Steps to Thinking Like a Genius

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I got this book after seeing what great reviews it got, as something 1) to help me jump-start writing ideas and 2) to use in teaching college students to "think outside the box."

I put the book down after two chapters. I found the author's tone to be arrogant, demeaning, and hypocritical. Aleinikov says we need to think outside the box -- which means only that we should think inside the box HE creates. After telling you to throw out all rules, he starts creating his own, which you MUST LIVE BY (according to him). And then he badgers you with thsoe rules.

He also taunts the reader with the term "genius." If you did THIS, you might be a genius -- but if you didn't, you've failed. Worse, he does psychological analyses of your character based on your answers, with absolutely no empirical evidence to back himself up. (Which he mentions and then sloughs aside. And since I'm on the topic, though the book jacket says "PhD, nowhere does it say what his PhD is in -- only what he teaches on.)

As a college psych professor always looking for new ways to teach students (and myself!) new ways to think outside the box, I was discouraged by the lack of encouragement. Learning a new skill -- whether it's riding a bike, drawing a picture, or being more creative -- takes time. Being encouraged to see things from different perspectives, and being told how to get there would be great -- having the author say "here's what you would have gotten if you were a genius -- but you failed. But wait! Thanks to me, even you can learn how to be a genius" is kind of demoralizing.

The other thing I found really frustrating is that most of us are punished for thinking outside the box, and re-learning to think differently is a process. Nowhere that I saw did the author acknowledge this. Further, he relies on psychological concepts like not saying "no" to yourself and moving beyond our normal semantic networks, but badgers the reader to do these things rather than saying "this is why we think these ways" (and why in fact they are important) "and here is how to move beyond them."

Finally, I found his constant "Say this out loud: I am not a quitter!" ridiculous. This book is packed with demeaning, pedantic stereotypes that all good psychology -- and certainly good teachers and professors -- want to avoid.

The book that comes to mind as a far more encouraging and psychologically grounded read is "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain."

I have always been intrigued by terms like "thinking out of the box" and "thinking differently". At last there is a book that really offers a simple approach on how to think like a genius!! It is more than a package of interesting puzzles and exercises. Andrei's practical steps of genius thinking will emancipate the reader from habits that limit one's own creativity. The underpinning philosophy that resonates throughout this book is that we all have the potential to be megacreative. Also, his writing style is personal and speaks from the heart. This book is for those who want to make a difference in their lives and the lives around them.

Andrei's Megacreativity opens up a whole new world of looking at things in a different light. His laws of megacreativity are refreshingly enlightening. Especially interesting are the inclusions of puzzles and challenges. Andrei makes you think at all times, "Why not?" "There must be a way somehow." He is an inspiration to all who dare to try! I strongly recommend this book to all who want to think differently in a positive way.

I would recommend this as an outstanding gift for graduation, birthday, etc. that will be long remmembered and greatly appreciated. You don't have to be a genius to understand this clear and concise text. It will be a most useful "keeper", and don't forget to get one for yourself!.

I read this book with a smile on my face and lights going off in my brain. If you've ever wondered how some people see things
differently than others---how some people see opportunities
where others see just what is before them, for example---
get this book. It will help teach you how to stretch your mind,
awaken new parts of your brain, create startling connections,
and much more. You'll also love the stories the author tells, such as the one about the book that was written in 4 minutes and 45 seconds, and published only 48 hours later. (!) This is one GREAT book! - Joe Vitale, ...

Some of this is self explanatory. "Keep an Open Mind".

Nonetheless, there are some good exercises to help you brainstorm, to come up w/ new ideas, or to flesh out new ones, if you're trying to be a writer, a poet, or an inventor. The so called "Million Idea Generator" Matrix is probably the best one, with the Metaphor Maker close behind. The book also contains some mind-bending/expanding exercises, visual illusions and word games to help you see beyond the obvious. Better to get this book used or from a book club.

Andrei G. Aleinikov's Mega Creativity: Five Steps To Thinking Like A Genius is a thoroughly "reader friendly" five-step guide to improving our thought processes for greater productivity through a more positive thinking, resulting in achieving higher skill levels at finding practical solutions to everyday problems. A useful and accessible instructional guide to enhancing one's own power of innovation and quick thinking, Mega Creativity is a superbly presented and highly recommended addition to self-help and self-improvement reading lists and reference collections.

I actually found a very friendly, encouraging voice in this book. The author is obviously passionate, and wants the reader to get passionate about finding new ways to look at things. I was amazed by how the lessons sunk in. I read them with curiosity but not really intending to do them; nonetheless when I closed the book and went about my day I found myself approaching problems in subtly different ways than I had previously. I definitely found I had more willingness to consider and find more options. Arrogance? I didn't get that feeling at all. What I got was the author saying to get out of the accepted way of doing things period, and to try his method because he believes in it. And for good reason. I recommend anyone to give this a shot.

Dr. Aleinikov's book is like snake oil, promising something that it cannot deliver. Do you really think that there are 5 steps to make you think like a genius. How many geniuses do you know?

I'm surprised that this book has so many positive reviews. The exercises are quite trite and simplistic. Draw a circle, then put a dot on the same page. Dr. Aleinikov promises that where you put the dot DEFINITELY tells something about you. Did you put it on the edge of the circle. Then you like to think at the edge (whatever that means). Did you put the dot inside the circle? Then you think conservatively. Did you put it outside. Then you are an outside the box thinker. No ifs, ands, or buts. Pretty simplistic, eh? The book is filled with this kind of thing. If this is your cup of tea, you won't be disappointed.

Happened to see the good doctor at a talk last night. I was equally disappointed with his discussion of megacreativity. In fact, I was blown away and offended. According to the doctor of what (we don't know), he teaches students to tip their heads to the side in class so it looks like they are paying attention. ``The professor is human.'' he said, so the professor will treat the student better and the student will get an A. Yes.....unbelievably trite, incorrect, and offensive. I asked him if this is really what he meant, and he confirmed what he said again.

I found this information to be very thought provoking and I am enjoying learning how to open up and expand my mind and ideas. The concepts really work, they are simple but so powerful.

Any book that gets me thinking is a good book in my view and this one certainly gets me thinking... Although I could read the book quickly, I preferred to take it a step at a time and spend some time thinking about the messages in each chapter and how to apply the ideas to what I am doing.

There are so many ideas and perspectives which are very exciting, useful and new. Thank you Dr. Aleinikov.