From World War I to the 2008 economic collapse and beyond, history shows that economists don't always see the future as clearly as they think they do, says economist David McWilliams. Using the words of W.B. Yeats, McWilliams makes the case for embracing unconventional thinkers – poets, artists and musicians – and offers a creative path towards a world filled with less confirmation bias and more understanding.

The power of unconventional thinking

Economists often miss major turning points, while artists and poets can sense seismic shifts before they unfold. A century ago, W.B. Yeats captured the chaos and uncertainty of his era with haunting accuracy, even as experts failed to predict the rise of dictators. Institutions tend to reward conventional thinking, reinforcing groupthink and overconfidence that lead to blind spots, as seen in the 2008 financial crisis. Creative minds, often overlooked or undervalued, have the unique ability to notice cracks and possibilities others ignore.

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TED Stage Talk

David McWilliams: The power of unconventional thinking