SUPERHUMAN BY DESIGN

A guide offers a plan for unlocking the superhuman through creativity.

“Each of us has innate talents and abilities,” Burlock writes. “These are our superpowers.” The author seeks to help readers recognize and strengthen those skills in their daily lives—with recognition being the first key. Another major key is creativity: Burlock views this as the crucial element in the whole cycle, the “fuel” of the superhuman lifestyle. The moral compass of that regimen is something he calls the “Superhuman Code,” a set of principles composed of six core elements: awareness, humanity, integrity, humility, resilience, and sacrifice. Urging his readers to concentrate on essentials like healthy breathing, personal magnetism, and the restorative process of “rebooting” their minds, the author assures them that this kind of concentration on developing their superpowers is far more useful than “mindlessly scrolling through social media, seeking inspiration and relief in an endless news feed.” Nourish the spirit and mind, pay attention to issues of finance, make time for health and fitness—these are all standard self-help maxims. But Burlock infuses his discussions of them with animated reflections on his own experiences in the design field and on the outlooks and philosophies of the sprawling superhero entertainment world—especially the Marvel cinematic universe. The tone he adopts throughout is a combination of breezy confidence and consistent, outspoken encouragement. He compares his approach with TED Talks, and readers will immediately see the similarities. He views the whole superhuman idea as inextricably linked with the concept of leadership. Underneath its mentions of the Black Panther and the Hulk, the book is essentially a spirited, upbeat plea for readers to be leaders in their own lives. This, too, is familiar ground in motivational literature, but Burlock’s infectious enthusiasm may very well be his own superpower.

A passionate, multilayered, and valuable call for readers to embrace their inner superheroes.