Tony Buzan

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Tony Buzan

Tony Buzan (1942—) is an author and educational consultant.^[1] He is a proponent of the techniques of Mind Mapping and mental literacy. He was born in London, is an alumnus of Kitsilano Secondary School, and received double Honours in psychology, English, mathematics and the General Sciences from the University of British Columbia in 1964. He is probably best known for his book, Use Your Head, his promotion of mnemonic systems and his Mind Mapping techniques. He launched his own software program to support mind mapping called iMindMap in December 2006. His website, Buzan World, cites trademarks on the phrase 'Mind Maps' which he has registered in many countries.

Following his 1970s series for the BBC, many of his ideas have been set into his series of five books: Use Your Memory, Master Your Memory, Use Your Head, The Speed Reading Book and The Mind Map Book. He has since authored or co-authored over 100 books.

Most of his teaching generally divides up into: general awareness of the extensive capabilities and capacities of the brain and its functions, memory skills, reading skills, Mind Map note-taking and note-making, creativity, and how brain function can be improved over time into old age.

Buzan developed Mind Mapping whilst at University, out of the frustration that traditional notes took up so much time to create and review. He has argued that Mind Maps are an efficient way to take notes from lectures or books. Brother Barry Buzan, who co-wrote The Mind Map Book, suggested the technique could also be used to capture notes from one's own creative ideas and is useful in business.

As a popular psychology author, Tony Buzan has written on subjects relating to the brain, genius quotient (GQ), spiritual intelligence, memory, creativity and speed reading. He is the founder and President of the Brain Foundation (not to be confused with various medical-related bodies with the same name) and also the Brain Trust Charity, the World Memory Championships and the World Championships of the Brain. He was a co-founder of London's Mind Body Spirit festival as well as the Mind Sports Olympiad.

The Mind Map technique especially has been demonstrated to improve dramatically memory, creativity and study performance and results. Critics can say that Mind Maps can have limitations as well and may not be suitable for all types of information or solve all problems related to learning. Mind Mappers say exactly the opposite.^{[citation needed]}

Tony's brother Barry Buzan is currently Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, and uses Mind Maps to prepare both his lectures and his many books on the subject.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Selected bibliography

Tony Buzan, The Mind Map Book: Radiant Thinking - Major Evolution in Human Thought BBC Active (paperback 2003) ISBN 0-563-48701-1
Tony Buzan, (2000). Use Your Head. BBC Consumer Publishing. ISBN 0-563-53729-9.