Guest: Dr. Gregory Berns, chair of Neuroeconomics and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, was the guest for this Space Show program to talk about his new book, " iconoclast: A neuroscientist reveals how to think differently." Parts of Dr. Bern's research on this subject for his book was conducted by studying the developing NewSpace community. In fact, Chapter Seven is titled "Private Spaceflight-A Case Study of Iconoclasts Working Together." Here, he uses space tourism, rocketry, and spaceflight participants to illustrate specific cases of iconoclasts. Not only will you want to hear this discussion, this book, in particular this chapter, are must-reads for The Space Show audience. In our discussion with Greg, we talk about not only what an iconoclast is, but the character makeup needed for one to be an iconoclast. He defines an iconoclast as a person who does something that others say can't be done and then he goes on to say three functions are necessary for the person to demonstrate or validate being an iconoclast: perception, fear response or management/containment, and social intelligence. Each of these characteristics are discussed during this show, but another element is needed as illustrated by the case of Howard Armstrong who has the credit for developing FM radio and more. This additional factor is the ability to sell the idea to others. Listen to the Armstrong story followed by a comparison with Bill Gates. See what you think of these two people as iconoclasts. We had several callers and we talked about being different, not with the program or movement, something that kids are teased about, but that adults in the developing space community are accused of all too frequently. Iconoclasts are different, they are not usually "belongers" to anything, so showing them in the different light portrayed by Dr. Bern can be reassuring as was mentioned by our listeners. This was a comprehensive discussion of this subject, both as applied to space businessmen and women, but also in other business, artistic, and development communities. If you have a question or comment for Dr. Gregory Bern, please send it to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward it to our guest.
Guest
The Space Show
