Roughly speaking, ideas can either be expressed in a linear or a conceptual manner. For each of us, there exists a unique balance between these two sides that makes us the most comfortable.

If we operate almost totally from only one side, the result can be extraordinary. Kim Peek, the man who was the inspiration for the movie Rain Man, is an example of an extreme linear thinker. His memory for minute detail and the way he could instantly grasp the relationship of numbers is so far beyond the ability of most people that he is considered a genius in this area. However, being autistic, he lacked other normal human skills and as a result, he consistently scored well below average on general IQ tests.

Tasks requiring a linear and logical approach best suit this style of thinking. Peek is reported to have read and be able to recall the detailed contents of 12,000 books. His skill with numbers makes tasks such as preparing payroll worksheets an easy and enjoyable task for him.

However, approaching social interaction in a linearly fashion involves a huge amount of seemingly disconnected information. Seeking linear solutions in such a non-linear environment can be overwhelming. Because linear thinkers have a greater need to grasp detail, too much input can leave an extreme linear thinker such as Kim Peek literally crying in pain.

By contrast, people like myself have trouble with following minute detail. Because my style of thinking leans towards concepts, accounting is a nightmare because my eye unconsciously skips over individual numbers as it instinctively seeks underlying structures. Words and letters are dropped when reading or writing in the rush to grasp or express the overall concept. “Stupid” errors marked most of my school endeavours.

On the other hand, reading emotion and motive is something that comes with little effort. The world consequences resulting from the way each of us connect seems fairly obvious.

But those operating almost totally from the conceptual side can become lost in their intuition and feelings. The emotional body has roles other than simply relaying information, but those who trust feelings and intuition above all else sometimes reject the help of facts or logic as a means of determining which role their feelings have assumed. For example, if there is a feeling of conspiracy, any contradictory facts can simply be worked into part of the conspiracy. It is frighteningly easy for these people to become trapped in a conceptual world of their own making.

But neither side alone is capable of comprehending all of reality. Where both sides can contribute without prejudice is where our greatest understanding of reality can be realized.

Different things can be best understood using different variations of conceptual or linear emphasis. Science and maths tend to be more linear while art and religion tend to be conceptual. The first part of the definitions preceding this chapter is more linear in nature while the “in human terms” is more conceptual.

Which style was easier for you to follow? Where you lie between these two extremes can determine a great deal about not only what holds your interest, but how you see and experience the world.

While this book tries to keep the two sides as connected as possible, sometimes it strays to one side or another. The linear side is especially evident in areas where science seems to hold the clearest explanation. Since modern societies are so strongly empowering their linear side, most of today’s new ideas are arising in linear terms.

In the past, some cultures cultivated ideas and wisdom through stories and ceremonies. Since their entire society lived by these teachings, the stories had an immediate relevance that allowed immense conceptual complexities to be passed effortlessly from one generation to another.

Without the context of their living society, these stories can appear as simplistic relics from a primitive belief. This is especially true when a linear analysis is applied. But these stories are shadows of a mighty concept.

Because the cultural context no longer exists in most of the world, we cannot effectively utilize the storytelling route. It is indeed fortunate that science has recently discovered the linear version of parts of this old wisdom. Now the first part of our journey can be illuminated by the precise light of science.