Dan Pink's RSA talk gave me a better understanding of his thoughts on human motivation that I have learned from reading a few excerpts of his book Drive. Prior to viewing this cleverly animated explanation, I did not understand why he could make an assumption that in creative projects, higher monetary incentive actually creates a negative effect for the project's quality. This video helped me to realize about my world that people are not machines and therefore wish to be self-directed through most tasks. Unlike so many companies have thought, employees do not want to be bought off and controlled as much on projects that include their own creative ideas, for fear of their personal thoughts being smothered by corporate, "big man" ideas.
Although much of my attention was focused Pink's silly drawings and trying to understand what exactly his point meant, his speech was captivating in a way that was subtle. For example, he included pauses and interjected a few personal stories as well as quoting other researchers that related to his topic. While telling his personal tales, he also seemed to give each character a voice and explained the thoughts that might have been running through their heads. This aspect gave the interjection more meaning. As for Dan Pink's presentation altogether, I thoroughly enjoyed the idea to use the RSA format of drawing out the ideas for the viewer. This technique aids both visual and listening learners, which is consistent with his ideas about the brain in terms of exercising both hemispheres, especially the right (visual/creative).
This video has a simple point. Society and business owners need a new method of getting the best work ethic and quality product out of their employees. Changes in the future are coming, as Pink says in his novel A Whole New Mind, and a motivational system that caters to the more right-brained tasks up ahead will need to be formulated to make the transition smoothly. Systems that allow the employee to be self-directed in as many ways possible, take on a skill that he or she is able to master, and a meaningful task so that the employee feels like they are part of something larger than themselves.
The study of human motivation in a general sense can be connected to anything in the world, because there are countless personal items that motivate each one of us. However, I do not agree with Pink's argument that higher incentive equals a crappier product. Through personal experience, when I am offered a larger reward, no matter what the job is, I work harder at it in order to earn the reward. This is also shown in many educational situations where pupils stay up all night in order to earn their "A". The same, in my opinion, applies throughout the world in all individuals, politics, and most other situations because, unfortunately, people can be bought. Within Dan Pink's own writing in Drive, he does mention the satisfaction that humans get with solving puzzles and doing a good job with their work, so, why can't that motivation of pride not also be used with larger incentives? That being said, I do believe Pink has a good case in the sense that humans are not completely predictable, and cannot be stereotyped with an economical analogy. The same sort of point has been made by the previous two TED talks I have viewed; Sir Ken Robinson's mentioned that schools have killed creativity through stereotyping their children's learning habits, and Sam Richards' explained how empathy, thinking outside oneself or not stereotyping others, can show you a whole new way of going about your day.
Daniel Pink's intriguing video captured my attention because his point was generally well thought out, and the format of the talk was something I have never seen before. I would have liked to have seen his facials while he explained his passionate stance, because he is obviously intense on his studies of human minds and tendencies. However, overall, this video was enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Dan Pink's work that wish to have a new way of exploring his mind.
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