The World Needs Visual Thinkers

Research clearly shows that there are differences between object visualizers who think in pictures and mathematically, mechanically minded people who think in patterns.

During my long career of working in industry, I have observed that visual thinkers who are poor at algebra are the ones who invent mechanical equipment. They often have no college degrees, but they have a huge portfolio of patents for mechanical machines. When I worked in construction supervising the installation of cattle handling equipment, the plants had many people in the maintenance shops who could build anything.

 Today, many of their people have retired, and they are not getting replaced. We are paying the price for removing shop classes in elementary and high school. When I was 11, I took woodworking shop and loved to build things. Many elementary school children are not learning how to even use a ruler for measuring things.

The community colleges have responded by adding vocational classes in welding and other skilled trades. The problem is that it may be too late. Children need to get exposed and interested in building things at a younger age.

THE U.S. VS. EUROPE. There are many mechanical devices used in numerous different industries that we do not make. Equipment for processing pork and chicken comes from Europe.

If you would like to see European mechanical ingenuity at work, look up “Apollo chicken harvester” on YouTube. It is in a combine-like device that picks up chickens and puts them in transport containers.

Other mechanical devices that we import from Europe include large cement mixers used for making big concrete beams for highway overpasses and ramps.

The reason why Europe is leading manufacturing in mechanical devices is their education system. When a student reaches ninth grade, they can choose between tech or university. Many companies have apprenticeships for high school students. This is where the student who is poor at abstract math can easily succeed.

Many children today are totally removed from the world of mechanical things. Children like to build things, and they love Legos. The problem is that they never graduate tools. I was using tools when I was in second grade, and I was taught to use them safely. I would spend hours tinkering with little kites to make them fly better. 

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM BARRIERS. Another barrier for visual thinkers is that our educational system puts an emphasis on verbal and math thinking. Mechanical aptitude, which is visual thinking, never gets evaluated.

I know visual thinkers who ran metal fabrication shops who could not do algebra. I am one of those people, and I would have a difficult time graduating from high school today.

There needs to be some adjustment in the math curriculum. Geometry and practical math could be a substitute for algebra. I can learn a specific formula when I can link it back to a machine, such as sizing hydraulic cylinders. Algebra is too abstract for me to remember. 

VISUAL THINKERS IN FOOD PROCESSING. In a food processing plant, I have observed the same division of labor over and over again. The visual thinkers who are often poor at abstract math invent and build mechanical devices. The engineers with college degrees design the refrigeration systems. Refrigeration requires higher mathematics.

In my book, “Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions,” I discuss the scientific studies that show different kinds of thinking are real.

There is also a chapter titled “Screened Out.” I am concerned that the visual thinkers we need in our industry are being screened out due to abstract math requirements.

Both kinds of minds are required to build and maintain a large food processing plant.