Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Orbiting the Giant Hairball summary
Gordon MacKenzie
A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace
12 mins
Brief summary
Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie is a humorous yet profound guide to surviving the corporate world. It inspires you to break free from bureaucratic thinking and foster creativity, innovation, and individualism.
Topics
Table of Contents
Orbiting the Giant Hairball
Summary of 5 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 5
Everyone is a creative genius, but society suppresses this talent.
Are you an artist? Well, if you don’t make paintings or write poetry, you might be inclined to say no. But don’t be so quick to dismiss this possibility. In truth, every one of us is born a creative genius.
Undisciplined children make rash decisions, diving spontaneously into risky situations and saying and doing whatever they like. They are driven purely by curiosity and innocent desire. These childhood tendencies are an expression of creative genius at the core being of every person. Everyone is born with this blissful “foolishness” that leads us to discover and evolve.
However, lots of people fear that a society of “fools,” that is, one made up of people who follow their creative genius, can never function. So, they stifle their creativity in an attempt to be “normal.” This makes perfect sense from a societal perspective. After all, “fools” are seen as impulsive, unpredictable rule-breakers, and the enforcement of strict social norms is about protecting society from this unpredictability.
Unfortunately, such protection also suppresses creative genius.
For example, on many occasions, the author asked children from different grades if they considered themselves to be artists. When he asked first graders, they would all enthusiastically raise their hands, but when he got to the second graders, about half would identify themselves as artists. By the time he reached the sixth graders, only one or two kids would raise their hands.
So, we can see that society suppresses creativity. But we can do something about it.
To break open the full potential of our creative genius, or if you prefer, our foolishness, we have to stop aiming for normalcy and stand up to the rules that enforce it.
Want to see all full key ideas from Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
Key ideas in Orbiting the Giant Hairball
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Orbiting the Giant Hairball about?
Orbiting the Giant Hairball (1996) is a guide to surviving at a corporation while holding onto your creativity. These blinks explain how to evade the dark, creativity-stifling vortex of corporate bureaucracy by balancing corporate restraints with personal creativity.
Orbiting the Giant Hairball Review
Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie (1996) is an insightful and thought-provoking book that explores the challenges of creativity in a corporate setting. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with entertaining stories and anecdotes, it provides a unique perspective on navigating the corporate world while staying true to one's creative spirit.
- MacKenzie's unconventional approach to corporate culture encourages readers to break free from conformity and embrace their individuality, ultimately fostering innovation.
- The book invites readers to reflect on their own creative journey, offering practical tips and inspiration for finding joy and fulfillment in their work.
Best quote from Orbiting the Giant Hairball
Our creative genius is the fountainhead of originality. It fires our compulsion to evolve. It inspires us to challenge norms.
—Gordon MacKenzie
Who should read Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
- Employees who feel trapped by corporate bureaucracy
- Anyone reluctant to take a corporate job for fear of compromising their creativity and originality
- Entry-level employees at major corporations
Categories with Orbiting the Giant Hairball
Book summaries like Orbiting the Giant Hairball
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Orbiting the Giant Hairball FAQs
What is the main message of Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
The main message of Orbiting the Giant Hairball is the importance of maintaining creativity and individuality within a corporate structure.
How long does it take to read Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
The reading time for Orbiting the Giant Hairball varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Orbiting the Giant Hairball a good book? Is it worth reading?
Orbiting the Giant Hairball is a worthwhile read for anyone wanting to explore creative thinking and unconventional approaches in the workplace.
Who is the author of Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
The author of Orbiting the Giant Hairball is Gordon MacKenzie.
What to read after Orbiting the Giant Hairball?
If you're wondering what to read next after Orbiting the Giant Hairball, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The Great Mental Models Volume 3 by Rhiannon Beaubien and Rosie Leizrowice
- Critical Thinking by Richard Paul
- Getting It Done When You're Depressed by Julie A. Fast
- The Power Pause by Neha Ruch
- Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
- The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky