Drive Yourself Sane : Using the Uncommon Sense of General Semantics

by Susan Presby Kodish, Bruce I. Kodish

This thoroughly revised Third Edition of Drive Yourself Sane, first published in 1993, remains the most reliable short introduction to 'general semantics' (GS) now available. A remarkable system of thought founded by Alfred Korzybski (1879-1950), GS is based on a careful study of human behavior and scientific problem-solving, bridging applied psychology and practical philosophy. Drive Yourself Sane provides time-tested methods for critical and creative thinking and constructive communicating with a variety of problem-solving applications for mental hygiene, personal development, education, business, etc. The text and accompanying exercises help readers sharpen the primary tools they were born with: their individual brain-nervous systems with their marvelous capacities to adapt to change and to learn from and build upon their own and other people's experiences. This Third Edition contains fascinating additional biographical material about Alfred Korzybski, based on research for Bruce Kodish's book, Korzybski: A Biography. Includes Notes, Bibliography and Index.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help

237 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Steve Keane]

I was introduced to General Semantics when I read Robert Heinlein as a youth. I have recently returned to it as a way to hone my critical thinking. I find that critical thinking is sorely lacking in many, many people so I can not recommend techniques for improving it any more enthusiastically than I already do. General Semantics is a very good technique. Another system I am aware of is the Integral Model of Ken Wilber. Techniques such as these act as types of "Western Zen," to be a little glib. Investigate them for yourself.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read on the subject of General Semantics. It seems to me an excellent introduction to the subject. However, since I am new to General Semantics, I may not be in a position to judge whether or not this is truly an excellent introduction.

This book, along with Donald Robertson's The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, has helped to solidify my high esteem for Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Both of these texts serve to place REBT within a philosophical and intellectual context. It is clearly not the intent of these books to do this, but they do it for me as a reader interested in the topic.

The only minor criticism I have of The Kodishes' book may be more of a criticism of General Semantics itself. In the chapter on Non-Verbal awareness, the authors seem to equate "zen" with all forms of Buddhism. They also seem to imply that Elsa Gindler and Charlotte Selver invented what is essentially mindfulness meditation and walking meditation - two very common (and ancient) forms of Buddhist meditation. How does "Semantic Relaxation" differ from these Buddhist practices?

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drive Yourself Sane: Using the Uncommon Sense of General Semantics, Third Edition by Susan Presby Kodish and Bruce I. Kodish presents a step- by- step methodology for evolving clear thinking. Based on the work of Albert Korzybski, developer of the field of General Semantics, it illustrates how we create our own realities and how we can make them clearer and sharper. There are 18 chapters with illustrations of how we take in information visually, and internally within our own private universes. There are valuable exercises at the end of each chapter which serve as training grounds for such chapter topics as the following: "The Process of Abstracting", "Uncommon Sense", "Endless Complexities", "The Structure of Language" and other invaluable chapters. The most edifying information had to do with the discussion of the Aristotelian Orientation, and the Non-Aristotelian Orientation wherein Korzybski went beyond Aristotelian orientation. This is a book with information to explore rather than only read. It will open windows and doors within the mind.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this shortly after reading Science and Sanity and found it a bit on the light side.Whilst still being informative it lacked the deeper explanations that enable more thorough understanding of GS methods.If your in a hurry I'd recommend it.

[John Sperling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for enjoyment. Five stars for usefulness. What responsibility do we have to ourselves? To each other? Are there ways to avoid racism? Are there ways to improve communication? How do I achieve and maintain sanity in a changing world? What kind of future do I want for myself? For future generations? This book is a thoroughly useful application of Alfred Korzybski's philosophy of general semantics to everyday life.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1972 or '73 I read what looked like a self-help book that turned out to be a layman's introduction to general semantics. It was so interesting that I read several more of the standard books on the subject over the next year. Although I haven't thought that much about it directly since, the method's principles became engrained in my way of thinking.

The book Drive Yourself Sane has the advantage of being much newer (2010), and one of the authors (a married couple) also happens to be the author of a complete biography of Alfred Korzybski, the Polish engineer who became the founder of the field of general semantics. The authors have been deeply involved with general semantics and have applied it in their professional endeavors for decades.

It was a pleasure to review some of the concepts that I'd first encountered so long ago and to consider them from a fresh perspective.

[Brodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hugely valuable for me. I am reminded of the time I first became interested in Taoism and picked up the Tao Te Ching to read. It was a wonderful read but at the time that I read it I found it difficult to apply its poetic language to my day to day problems and challenges. As time went by I found my self in possession of more maturity and perspective and thus was able to make greater usage of it. I had very much the same experience of first encountering the language model that Alfred Korzybsky put forward in his method of General Semantics. This book provided me with a very useful primer and guide for more effectively integrating the ideas of GS into my day to day evaluating and expression.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a really dense, enjoyable exploration of General Semantics, or how to recognize that we use language in imprecise ways.

There's a lot of heavy reading in this, mostly in dissecting how humans go about experiencing the world, processing their experiences, and then communicating their experiences.

I've found that when I keep the principles in the book in mind, it becomes easier to express myself to others, and I'm less prone to jumping on terrible assumptions.

I really enjoyed this book for how very precise it was in the subject matter, as well as how consistent it was in dealing with subjects. Considering the context of the book, it showed that the authors ate their own dog food.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly lucid explanation of the otherwise opaque discipline "General-Semantics"... GS has had an enormous unrecognized influence on our society. It may be viewed as "applied analytical-philosophy," stemming from Wittgenstein and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. It discusses the role of everyday language in our thoughts and actions, as well as the refinement of that language through math and science.

[David Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

This book is about language and communication. It's a guide to help people live a more sane life and interact with internal and external environments better.

Just read it.

[Count-daniel Fogarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise book by Bruce I. Kodish on Alfred Korzybk's General Sematics. I was better able to understand and absorb Science and Sanity by Korzybski and write my own works on non-fiction and fiction alike because of this book.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new way of seeing life.

Amazing! For anyone looking for a better understanding of human relations.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good grounding in general semantics - makes the worldview of nonviolent communication have a lot more intuitive sense.