--- title: This Will Make You Smarter — Big Ideas Program | InceptionU description: A 10-week program pulling mental models from world-class scientists and artists. Build a sharper toolkit for solving problems and spotting opportunities. --- [Skip to content](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#main-content) [Skip to main content](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#main-content) [![InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1](https://inceptionu.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20Assets/InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1.png?width=600&height=136&name=InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1.png) ![InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1](https://inceptionu.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Canva%20Assets/InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1.png?width=600&height=136&name=InceptionU-Primary-RGB-1-1.png) ![InceptionU-Primary-PR-RGB-web-crop](https://inceptionu.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Assets/Logos/InceptionU-Primary-PR-RGB-web-crop.png?width=600&height=129&name=InceptionU-Primary-PR-RGB-web-crop.png)](https://inceptionu.com?hsLang=en) - Show submenu for Who We Are Who We Are - [Our Story](https://inceptionu.com/our-story) - [Blog](https://inceptionu.com/blog) - [Innovative Talent - Global Study](https://inceptionu.com/unlocking-the-capability-to-innovate) - Show submenu for Programs Programs - [Browse All Programs](https://inceptionu.com/program-search) - [Team Packages](https://inceptionu.com/programs/packages) - [Testimonials](https://inceptionu.com/testimonials) - [Talent Landscaping](https://inceptionu.com/programs/talent-landscaping) - [The Bridge](https://inceptionu.com/bridge) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Who We Are Who We Are - Who We Are - [Our Story](https://inceptionu.com/our-story) - [Blog](https://inceptionu.com/blog) - [Innovative Talent - Global Study](https://inceptionu.com/unlocking-the-capability-to-innovate) - Show submenu for Programs Programs - Programs - [Browse All Programs](https://inceptionu.com/program-search) - [Team Packages](https://inceptionu.com/programs/packages) - [Testimonials](https://inceptionu.com/testimonials) - [Talent Landscaping](https://inceptionu.com/programs/talent-landscaping) - [The Bridge](https://inceptionu.com/bridge) [Connect With Us](https://inceptionu.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) This Will Make You Smarter · Big Ideas & Mental Models # Borrow the Best Ideas From the World's Sharpest Thinkers. Apply Them Immediately. Ten weeks. One mental model at a time, pulled from physics, psychology, economics, and the arts. This program gives you a sharper, more diverse toolkit for solving problems and spotting opportunities others miss.  [Book a Private Cohort →](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) [Learn More](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) Duration 20 Hours · 10 Weeks Format Virtual · Part-Time Next Cohort Custom Cohort — Contact Us to Schedule Your Date What Changes for You ## Still Solving New Problems With Old Mental Tools? Most of us are running on a mental operating system built from whatever ideas we happened to encounter, mostly by accident, and rarely updated since. That's fine until the problems in front of you get more complex than the tools you have for them. This Will Make You Smarter pulls the best game-changing ideas from world-class scientists and artists working in physics, psychology, economics, and the arts, and applies them directly to your life and projects. You're not just collecting trivia. You're deliberately upgrading the mental models you use to make decisions, solve problems, and spot opportunities. Over ten weeks, you'll build a genuinely cross-disciplinary toolkit, the kind that comes from connecting ideas across fields most people never think to combine. Who This Is For ## For Anyone Tired of Solving Problems the Same Old Way ### Built For - 01 Curious individuals who never stopped asking why You want to expand your intellectual horizons, not just accumulate more facts in the same lane you're already in. - 02 Forward-thinking organizations breaking out of industry silos Your team needs fresh, diverse perspectives injected into strategy, not more of the same industry-standard thinking. - 03 Lifelong learners upgrading their mental toolkit You believe staying relevant means continuing to learn, not coasting on what already worked in the past. - 04 Innovators and creatives looking for cross-pollination You want ideas from physics, psychology, and the arts to fuel your next big project, not just more of your own field. ### Not For You If ... You're after a in-person, single session program.  This program runs virtually only, so it isn't the right fit if you need in-person delivery. It's also a ten-week commitment, not a single afternoon — if you want a quick taster first, talk to us about shorter options. [Talk to us about your team →](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) Course Details ## Five Ways We'll Upgrade How You Think Each module pulls a different set of ideas into your actual life and projects, not just your general knowledge. ### Scientific "Life Hacks" Master a collection of actionable insights from the frontiers of psychology, physics, and economics, the kind of ideas that actually improve your daily decision-making, not just your dinner party conversation. ### Diverse Perspective Synthesis Develop the ability to connect dots between disparate fields, like a musician's creative strategies and an economist's research on decision-making, so your thinking stops staying in one lane. ### Cognitive Re-Wiring Identify and adopt game-changing ideas that permanently shift how you perceive problems and opportunities, instead of defaulting to the same mental shortcuts every time. ### Advanced Mental Modelling Learn to use foundational scientific principles, like entropy, nudge theory, or systems thinking, as practical tools for solving real problems, not just as interesting facts. ### Direct Expert Engagement Gain insight into leading ideas in the field through curated discussions built around published work and research, with guest appearances from contributing thinkers where confirmed and scheduled.  MetaSkills developed Scientific Thinking Critical Thinking Computational Thinking Creative Thinking Systems Thinking Design Collaboration Ready to upgrade your mental operating system? Connect with us to book your private cohort. [Talk to Us →](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) Session Logistics ## Ten Weeks. Here's Exactly What You're Signing Up For. Time Investment 20 Hours · 10 Weeks Delivery Virtual Next Cohort Scheduled as a Custom Cohort Investment $1,200 CAD / Seat " > Where did InceptionU help me? Where did they not. They helped me rewire my entire way of thinking. I may not know the answers now — but I know I can find them. That makes me feel ready for basically anything. HH Henry Ha Developer · InceptionU alumnus ![Greg -Sized-1](https://inceptionu.com/hubfs/Greg%20-Sized-1.jpg) Your Facilitator Greg Hart Lead Facilitator · Design & Systems Expert As the co-founder of and facilitator at InceptionU, Greg is a super-connected entrepreneur, visionary and essential part of the InceptionU team. His expertise in design and critical thinking is a core component of our programming. Greg guides learners to think beyond what they 'think' they know and question everything. Greg has personally assessed nearly 200 design solutions for companies in various industries ranging from software development to tech manufacturing and heavy industry. He is also an instructor at the University of Calgary's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Why InceptionU ## We Don't Just Introduce Big Ideas. We Help You Actually Use Them. InceptionU's approach is built on **MetaSkills**, the thinking capacities that make ideas from completely different fields actually useful together. This Will Make You Smarter isn't a survey course or a highlight reel, **it's ten weeks of applying real mental models**, from physics to behavioural economics to creative practice, directly to your own life and projects using scientific thinking, critical thinking, systems thinking, and more. Applied, not just interesting Every idea gets connected back to your actual life and projects, not left as an interesting fact you'll forget by Friday. MetaSkills that transfer Scientific thinking, critical thinking, systems thinking, and creative thinking apply to every new idea you encounter after this program ends. Genuinely cross-disciplinary Most learning stays in one lane. This program is built specifically to connect physics, psychology, economics, and the arts. Common Questions ## Before your team signs up, let's answer the obvious ones. Will we actually meet Steven Pinker, Richard Thaler, or the other thinkers mentioned? We work with their published ideas and research throughout the program. Guest appearances are arranged where possible, but aren't guaranteed for every cohort. Can I do this if I don't have a science or academic background? Yes. It's designed for curious people, not specialists. The ideas are translated into practical use, not taught as an academic course. Is this program available online, in-person, or both? This program runs virtually only. If you're particularly keen to do an in-person delivery, get in touch and we'll let you know what's available. What do you mean when you mention MetaSkills? What are they, and how will they help me? Tools don't solve problems. People do. Our ability to use MetaSkills — critical thinking, systems thinking, creative thinking, computational thinking, design, and collaboration — are timeless competencies central to your future success. These aren't just career skills; they have impact across every area of your life. Every InceptionU program is built around developing these alongside the technical content. That's what makes the learning stick. Can I register as a team, or book a private session for my organization? Yes. Group rates apply for five or more seats. If you're looking to run this as a private session for your team, reach out and we'll put together a proposal tailored to your organization's needs and schedule. Show 2 more questions Show fewer questions What is your cancellation policy? If you cancel 10 or more days before the program start date, you'll receive a full refund. Cancellations between 10 days and 24 hours before the start date can be transferred to a future cohort at no additional cost. For cancellations within 24 hours of the start date, we're not able to process a refund or transfer — but reach out anyway and we'll see what we can do. Is InceptionU an accredited institution? Fortunately, we are not. That gives us the freedom to be agile and adaptable as technology and industries evolve. We work closely with industry partners to design programming that aligns with real workforce needs — not what was relevant five years ago. If you'd like our full perspective on credentials and credentialing, [read our take on the blog](https://inceptionu.com/blog/a-new-era-of-education-rethinking-the-role-of-accreditation-in-the-modern-world?hsLang=en). Next Step ## Book Your Custom Cohort — Ten Weeks to a Genuinely Smarter Way of Thinking. Most of what you know came from wherever you happened to be standing. This program gives you the chance to deliberately choose better ideas, from better sources, and actually use them. [Book a Private Cohort →](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) [Learn More](https://inceptionu.com/programs/this-will-make-you-smarter#lead-form) Not ready to register? Let's talk. Questions about private cohorts, group pricing, or scheduling a custom date? Drop your details and we'll be in touch within one business day. 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