Sharing vivid stories from the domains of business, science, art, and politics about "intersections"--the space in which established ideas clash an...
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Mar 10, 2011
Terhi
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The Medici Effect is a book about innovation, creativity, courage and intersections. The author Johansson shows the reader what it takes to come up with breakthrough ideas, and how the greatest obstacles for doing this lay merely in our minds and are held tight by our own fears. Johansson explains about the barriers of our minds, he tells the stories of innovative people and does his best to encourage the reader to dare to step on the intersection when it occurs before him.
Johansson kn More...
Johansson kn More...
Dec 08, 2010
MI2
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Apr 01, 2010
marc
rated it: 
In the middle of reading this, but 20 pages in and I get it already. Do I finish the book?
I get the point. But the writing is pretty uninteresting.
I get the point. But the writing is pretty uninteresting.
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Nov 11, 2011
Adam
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Short review: This is an interesting book in the mode of Malcolm Gladwell or Chris Anderson. Johansson argues that all real innovation occurs at the intersection between two different fields of study. Darwin as a geologist used his insights to understand biological evolution. An astronomer created the concept of a asteroid killing off the dinosaurs. An architect with an interest in bugs created a building based on termite mounds in to reduce air conditioning costs.
Great ideas. More...
Great ideas. More...
May 05, 2010
Matt
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A very interesting and quick read about the approaches taken by certain organizations and individuals that breakthrough to the next as a result of innovation. The stories told in this book draw you into the promise that anyone can innovate, but is to a certain degree optimistic about the simplicity and ease of doing so.
I recommend this book to hardworking people that desire to work smart and effectively fully realizing that innovation is not the answer to their success, but may be th More...
I recommend this book to hardworking people that desire to work smart and effectively fully realizing that innovation is not the answer to their success, but may be th More...
Oct 01, 2011
Pawan
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http://iandbooks.wordpress.com/
This book needs a special mention because this was the first non-technical book after reading which I felt like sharing it with my professional colleagues. Till I read this book, I used to read for my personal pleasure and knowledge. But when I read this book, my first thought was to share it with others. I have over the years done discussions with my colleagues on this book but still I feel that I have understood very little part of the whole concept till now More...
This book needs a special mention because this was the first non-technical book after reading which I felt like sharing it with my professional colleagues. Till I read this book, I used to read for my personal pleasure and knowledge. But when I read this book, my first thought was to share it with others. I have over the years done discussions with my colleagues on this book but still I feel that I have understood very little part of the whole concept till now More...
Oct 01, 2011
Paul
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The Intersection, Frans Johansson writes in "The Medici Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts, & Cultures," is that wonderful place where people from different fields of study or walks of life meet, share ideas, and walk away with far more than they could ever create alone. It’s where a Swedish chef who was born in Ethiopia combines ingredients in ways none have ever done before and puts a New York restaurant (Aquavit)—and himself—on the map. It’s where a
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Oct 01, 2011
Marissa
rated it:
It was mandatory for me to read this book for a class and a mandatory read is never as good as a read by choice but I was sorely disappointed by this book. Included below is a review I wrote for the class about this book.
Frans Johansson’s The Medici Effect attempts to identify the nature of innovation and advise readers on how to innovate. Though I found many faults with this book, I will not argue that this book is not interesting and valuable, because it is both. Johansson attempt More...
Frans Johansson’s The Medici Effect attempts to identify the nature of innovation and advise readers on how to innovate. Though I found many faults with this book, I will not argue that this book is not interesting and valuable, because it is both. Johansson attempt More...
Jul 25, 2010
Simmoril
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I have always been an enormous fan of what Frans Johansson calls "The Intersection"; the concept of taking knowledge in one area and applying it to another seemingly unrelated one. I enjoy reading and learning about a wide range of topics, and I've always dreamed of being able to find a new and interesting connection between them. So when I came across The Medici Effect, I knew right away that this was a book for me.
Frans Johansson's book walks through the major ideas behin More...
Frans Johansson's book walks through the major ideas behin More...
Mar 19, 2009
Jerome
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There are some good techniques and ideas discussed about creating and fostering ideas. But...
There is a serious and troublsome lack of acknowledgement of the risks that maybe associated with people seeking intersections. This book almost serves as an approval to intersection seeking individuals to venture into any area they please. There are some places, cultures, and people that have boundaries in place that do not allow for such intersection seeking intrusions. Not everything is a More...
There is a serious and troublsome lack of acknowledgement of the risks that maybe associated with people seeking intersections. This book almost serves as an approval to intersection seeking individuals to venture into any area they please. There are some places, cultures, and people that have boundaries in place that do not allow for such intersection seeking intrusions. Not everything is a More...
Nov 16, 2008
Wens
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 01, 2011
Robert
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The Medici Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts, and Cultures
Frans Johansson
Harvard Business School Press
What is this book's core concept? The idea behind it is simple: "When you step into an intersection of fields, disciplines, or cultures, you can combine existing concepts into a large number of extraordinary ideas." Johansson achieves three specific objectives: He explains what, exactly, "the Intersection is and why we can More...
Frans Johansson
Harvard Business School Press
What is this book's core concept? The idea behind it is simple: "When you step into an intersection of fields, disciplines, or cultures, you can combine existing concepts into a large number of extraordinary ideas." Johansson achieves three specific objectives: He explains what, exactly, "the Intersection is and why we can More...
Oct 01, 2011
Ben
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I've been reading a few business books as of late. The Medici Effect is not only well written, but the themes and ideas are backed up with anecdotal stories which I related to (and I expect other readers to as well). As a whole, this book is the mortar to the bricks of common sense, other books on innovation and peer pressure. Well, maybe not peer pressure.
Hat's off to Johansson for focusing the concept of idea generation and execution and structuring it in a way that makes sense. More...
Hat's off to Johansson for focusing the concept of idea generation and execution and structuring it in a way that makes sense. More...
Jul 03, 2010
Dustin
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An enjoyable and quick read. The premise that innovation occurs when different fields collide seems well enough supported by anecdotal and some scientific evidence. However, I'm doubtful that this is the only way that innovation happens. I wish the author would have spent some time addressing innovation that was achieved without merging two different fields of expertise. With this said, it was still worth hearing how so many innovators used this technique.
May 26, 2009
Ee'ah
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I'm familiar with the major contribution the Medici's gave to the renaissance, this is why the title caught my eye. This is not directly about the Medici's but indeed the structuring of the effect. I enjoyed this quick read it got a bit bland half way through. Though this was intended to be applied in the corporate & business realm; intersections can be applied to other dimensions of thinking & problem solving -- which is the nature of innovation.
As an artist I identified with it greatl More...
As an artist I identified with it greatl More...
Oct 31, 2009
Lauren
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One of my favorite non-literary books. A fascinating look at why crossing disciplines breeds creativity. In a class I took on digital publishing, speakers discussed the way digitization was enabling/increasing interdisciplinary thinking since it has become so much easier and more likely for a scholar/researcher to find themselves reading work from other disciplines. The result has been increased creativity, including in problem solving. throughout these discussions, I kept thinking about Joha
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Jan 02, 2011
Lee
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This book is one of those that you may feel the need to read if you work at a large company and hear upper management talking about how important this book is. Do yourself a favor, read the wikipedia article about it or skim it from a friend if you really think you need to read this. The author does a fine job of explaining the obvious so it avoids a rating of 1 star.
Jul 29, 2011
irfan
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an interesting read, aptly captures the very ideas that one should be looking at in order to harness creative potential. For far too long things are done in a certain silo-like manner, and perhaps the term thinking out-of-the box is overused. Reading this book will hopefully give one an idea what one means by really going out of the box!
May 20, 2010
Peter
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Everything after the notes on the back page is interesting but not terribly useful unless you run an organisation or teams. I felt I got the point after the first couple of chapters and after that it was mostly annecdotes. His point is a good one though.
Oct 01, 2011
Reuben
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As the book's subtitle states - "Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts, and Cultures" the "Medici Effect" delivers in a powerful way as author Johansson uses classic, and mostly current examples of how this type of innovation can happen.
He makes an interesting case for innovation, how to cultivate it, what deters it, and being able of the creating an 'intersectional innovation' and a more typical 'directional innovation'.
I enjoyed al More...
He makes an interesting case for innovation, how to cultivate it, what deters it, and being able of the creating an 'intersectional innovation' and a more typical 'directional innovation'.
I enjoyed al More...
Jan 17, 2010
It really inspired me a lot. At least i would say it opened up my mind, and I somehow started to question a lot more about things around me, starting to let more weird thoughts running through. It's really nice.
Sep 26, 2011
Ryan
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Excellent distillation of a lot of heady creativity research. A great practical text with excellent anecdotes that would be great for those just diving into the psychology of creativity.
Aug 19, 2011
Jeff
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A motivating challenge to seek innovation. The intersection of disciplines and ways of thinking produce value. Several interviews and case studies add interest.
Jan 10, 2012
wow. I really want to give a look to this book. I couldn't agree more with the premise about mixing up as the recipe for groundbreaking innovation and insight.
Feb 15, 2009
Sarah
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although the second half of the book was a sluggish read, overall, the book brings great insights to those who are interested in innovative thinking.
Feb 04, 2009
Ken
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If you are curious about innovative thinking and want to learn ways to encourage innovative thinking, this is a must-read.
Oct 01, 2011
Javatis
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This book was a much needed read for me. It made me ponder on the many opportunities I have right at my finger tips. The many examples it gave on the Chef, Dr., and many others gave me hope. I'm surely going to pay more attention to everything around me and be more open to things that don't make any sense. Pretty Good Book!!!
Sep 07, 2009
John
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A good read. Some case studies on how the intersection of different disciplines and subjects can lead to breakthrough concepts.
Nov 17, 2009
Good and insightful.... I will want to read this again as I was rushed to read it in a weekend for class.
Oct 01, 2011
Jarkko
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This book can be summarized as a call to get out to the middle ground between two or more different fields of expertise - the intersections. Through interesting real-world examples, Johanson explains why this "gray area" is where innovation takes place, and why it is where you want to be.
While reading the book I noticed that pretty much after each page, I was thinking about my own career and life and using the tools presented in the book to make more sense out of them. So, More...
While reading the book I noticed that pretty much after each page, I was thinking about my own career and life and using the tools presented in the book to make more sense out of them. So, More...
