In this book, Cambridge University psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen answers two seemingly different questions: Why are humans so inventive? And why does autism exist?

The first question concerns almost every human activity: Entrepreneurs want to learn how to innovate. Cognitive psychologists want to understand the nature of creativity. Evolutionary scientists and comparative psychologists want to understand why we are capable of such cultural complexity and diversity, while other animals have, at best, learned to use stone as a simple tool.

At the same time, the study of autism has become a primary concern among overlapping groups, from educators to scientists, entrepreneurs, and parents.