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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Shape of Things Unseen summary
Adam Zeman
A New Science of Imagination
21 mins
Brief summary
The Shape of Things Unseen delves into the mysterious world of consciousness and the human brain. Adam Zeman explores neurological insights and philosophical queries, bridging science and introspection to enrich our understanding of mental phenomena.
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The Shape of Things Unseen
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Key idea 1 of 6
Three types of imagination
Let’s go on a road trip. An imaginary one, of course. How you imagine this trip is completely up to you: I’ll leave the type of vehicle you’re travelling in, the weather that you’re moving through, and even the music on the stereo up to you and your imagination.
All you need to know is this: we’ll be making three stops along the way. One stop for each of your imagination’s key functions.
Let’s hit the road.
As you’re travelling, I want you to notice where your mind goes. Is it focused consistently on the road ahead and the scenery around you? Or does something you see – perhaps a roadside diner, a distinctive tree, a road sign – trigger a memory or a feeling? I’m guessing it’s the second. Because the thing is, our minds are constantly wandering.
Time to hop out and stretch your legs. We’ve arrived at our first stop: every day imagination. Though maybe it should be called ‘every minute of the day’ imagination. Seriously. Researchers once conducted a study where participants received random notifications throughout the day asking them to report where their minds were. In 49% of responses, so nearly half the time, the participants' minds were wandering, meaning they were not fully focused on the task at hand. In fact there was only one activity where participants were consistently focused on the here and now: having sex.
Okay, let’s hit the road again. As you’re moving, a song comes on the radio. It’s about heartbreak. You feel something stir within you. Memories of your own experiences blend with your response to the song’s artistry, evoking a singular emotional response.
We've arrived at our second stop: creative imagination. In the Rothko Gallery in Texas, a room lined with canvases covered in black oil paint frequently moves viewers to tears. This isn’t because there’s anything inherently emotional about a bloc of pigment. It’s because the mind has a remarkable ability to participate in creating meaning rather than simply perceiving it. Think of reading a book: the author might tell you the romantic hero has dark eyes, but you might also supply him with curly hair while you read.
We’re nearing our final destination now and the landscape is changing from open road to city streets. The people you see through your window catch your attention. You can’t help but make assumptions about them: the hurried woman might be late for an interview; perhaps the hand-holding couple are on their second date.
We've reached our final destination: social imagination, meaning our ability to envision worlds and experiences beyond our own. Social imagination is what allows us to project beyond our own inner life into the inner lives of others; to surmise that the rude barista might have had a bad morning, or to look at a flint arrow in a museum and imagine the life of the person who fashioned it. With that, our tour of the three key imaginative functions is complete.
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What is The Shape of Things Unseen about?
The Shape of Things Unseen (2025) challenges the myth that imagination is used only in creative endeavours, illustrating how we use our imaginative capacities constantly, whether anticipating, reminiscing, hypothesizing or daydreaming. It draws on the latest cognitive science to show how imaginative thought is embedded in our development, our interactions, and our biological and perceptual processes.
Who should read The Shape of Things Unseen?
- Psychologists interested in the neuroscience of mental imaging
- Artists interested in uncovering the scientific foundation of their creativity
- Parents hoping to understand their child’s developing imagination
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