In a staff meeting today, The Boss let us know that he was going to hire an additional marketing person, and that he would be seeking an individual who was "really creative." As my eyes glassed over and relaxed into a somewhat Marty Feldman-like stare (while he droned on about all of the ideas he and this new person would explore), I got to wondering how he would determine an applicant's "creativity factor?"

So I throw it out to you.

What is "creativity"? Is it a stable cognitive trait that some people have and others do not? Is it an occasional state that people sometimes enter into? Or is it defined completely by its products: "creativity is as creativity does"? Whatever it is, how does creativity come about? How do you do it? Are there rules? Will practice help make you creative?

Peace.

Genius does what it must; talent does what it can.

Originally posted by Mr. G
Genius does what it must...So. Quotations from Edward George Bulwer-Lytton aside, anyone want to take a stab at it? :)

Peace.

I think creative people are actually people who relax control on their mind to the point that they start thinking a lot of nonsensical and strange stuff. You take that and filter it through a that's dumb filter and you come up with interesting thoughts you never would have if you stuck to a logical straight-forward thinking process.

I think it can be practiced and with practice I think intuitions start to guide it towards the stuff you throw out less often. More than that I can't guess. I think a lot of the stuff that spews forth has something to do with abstract relationships you have seen in life and probably couldn't make sense of. Think about them for long enough and maybe you figure out how they're related.

In the end though if even you don't understand how you came up with it or the exact relation the relationshipd or ideas can really tickle you.

The Simpsons are a perfect example. Some episodes make almost no sense, are complete non-sequiturs, but somehow manage to be funny and make sense on some strange level.

Well...I will try to take a stab at it...

I have been told that I am highly "creative" or "innovative". I come up with ideas that are original. I have been doing that as long as I can remember. I solve highly complex problems in business, engineering and technology (from banks to chemical plants to rocket science) - because I must.

To me, I just think of different scenarios without any cognitive bias and analyze the outcome like a game of chess. It is more like a what if scenario. I think the key is in the cognitive bias. Most people ignore certain items with bias. If you can train yourself to reduce those bias, you are there half way. The other half is having the right information and lots of it. That is - a large knowledge base on various subjects so that you can copy, modify, improve one idea to the other. Remember, you could have a great bad idea that will land your company in Chapter 11 too (that is called not looking at the big picture)

It is really not that difficult. Anybody could do it. There you have it.

I too have been told I am creative and it is an aspect of any position I have really enjoyed that I must be allowed to be creative. In a manner similar to that of kmguru I have always found it easy to view problems in an 'outside the box' manner and have tried to keep myself from being locked into a particular solutions set.

I think as kmguru states it is a manner of bringing up ideas and evaluating them without a bias.

A more light hearted approach...

Terry Prattchet is an english author who writes the discworld series. (If you've not experienced this man and his work do so soon!!!)

Within this series, He speaks about 'inspirations' Tiny particles of thought that whizz thru the universe until they hit a receptor in the brain.

"How many times have you heard the expression sturck by inspiration?"

And Eureka!! which means "Pass me a towel"

Originally posted by kmguru
I solve highly complex problems in business, engineering and technology...Originally posted by SeekerOfTruth
I have always found it easy to view problems in an 'outside the box' manner...Although my original thinking was prompted by an occurrence at work, and your answers naturally focus there, I have spent a bit more time reading and thinking about it.

The situations to which the two of you refer relate well to Pasteur's dictum, "...le hasard favorise l'esprit prepare...(chance favors the prepared mind"). I would interpret Pasteur's dictum to say that there is an element of chance in creativity, but it is most likely to occur (as you indicated in your posts) if the mind is somehow prepared for it. In other words, you must already have existing knowledge relevant to the creative "leap" first before you get that "bolt from the blue." Strangely, it seems to me that this formula for creativity is the most uncreative one imaginable, which is to learn what is already known.

But what about creativity not focused on "problem solving?"

It is said that there is nothing new under the Sun. What then, are creativity and innovation? A means of rearranging what is already there in a fashion that is fresh and attractive? Making an old idea appear original?

Were all given the same palette, the same set of musical tones, and within our individual language/languages the same sets of phonetic sounds and available meanings, and within certain parameters the same tasks and the tools with which to accomplish them.

Some of us master these things and understand how they work and that is enough. Some of us use them daily but do not bother to understand how they work, and that is enough. Others use these tools, but feel that they can be used more efficiently or more extravagantly. These are the people who out of necessity create "new" uses for these pre-existing tools, or new tools for these pre-existing uses. And in this way old ideas can appear to be fresh, and out of the same elements that have always been here art and technology arise. This appears to be at least part the process that we call creativity...

Just to clarify my point creativity is not recognizing a good idea when you see it, which seems to be the current focus of the discussion. It is coming up with the idea that is new ... hence the CREATE part ... which is the essence of creativity.

Any idea is going to be useless if you don't recognize it's value.

Creativity is reading “sturck” and seeing a wealth possibilities instead of a finger slip.

Creativity is exploring what creativity could be instead of defining what it has been.

Creativity is a nice way of saying one is a hair-brained loon-a-tic.

Creativity is seeing that every post on this thread is right.

Creativity is…

My post should strengthen your argument, not detract from it: We're saying the same thing: we all have the same materials to work with, but it is coming up with a fresh usage (or idea, as you say) that marks creativity. Of course "recognizing" a fresh idea cannot be classified as creativity, that is what is left for our mechanics and technicians, not our resident creators. My point is that we have all of the same elements available to us; it is how we use what is already here that determines our creativity...

Ahhhh, how refreshing...You know, for a round, furry little thing you sure do have a round, furry little way of creatively summing up creativity! Thank you! We can all take a lesson from an hamster!

let alone the fact (s)he is a hamster to begin with ...

(see imahamster, if I don't even know whether you're male or female it makes verbal usage annoying ...)

Strangely, it seems to me that this formula for creativity is the most uncreative one imaginable, which is to learn what is already known.

But what about creativity not focused on "problem solving?"

Aha! the very act of learning to use "fire" is to solve some prickly problems - eating raw meat and its associated effects, keeping warm and burning your enemy's hut and so on...

Even the art, music and literature provides us with the enjoyment we seek. Everything humans do has a purpose and solves someones need to gratify their wishes.

If you watch the old "connections" series in PBS, you will find that all discoveries and inventions are based on prior work and some one connected the dots ...the "eureka" (I found it) factor.

On one level, "Love" is mystery, esoteric, unknowable...on another, it is information and logical conclusion, weights and factors, parameters and properties, variables and values, chaos and order....

Yogamojo, thanks. (Rather share seeds than lessons.)

Scilosopher, combine ‘em all and call this hamster s(he)it. Hehe. Or use whatever suits your fancy at the moment. (Interesting how language usage re-enforces gender awareness.)

Originally posted by Imahamster
...
Scilosopher, combine ‘em all and call this hamster s(he)it. Hehe. ....

You might want to reconsider that Imahamster.

Living in south Texas has made me more sensitive to the way people say things and here, s(he)it reads, and would be pronounced, a little differently than you might think.:D

SeekerOfTruth, an inflated hamster is not a good hamster. (Puffed up hamster, floating, can’t keep paws on ground, in danger of bursting.)

There goes the creativity thread....

Ah well...

They can't go on forever (although some of them SEEM to.) :D

it would go on a little longer if you took a creative approach to thread maintenance and random comments ...

How about this. George Carlin smokes marijuana once a month when he writes material. Many jazz musicians used drugs (and still probably do). What is the relationship between drugs and creativity. Is there one? Can drugs make you more creative?

Different drug varieties modify different parts of our processes: Amphetamines temporarily increase our stamina and our focus while decreasing our need for sleep; marijuana is an euphoric which can create very dreamlike, subjective thought patterns while dulling pesky life-issues which can inhibit the creative process; alcohol lowers inhibition which is a damper when one needs creative momentum; and psychedelic substances (or foods, some would say) seem to be able to put a spin on the most monotonous topics.

They all plug into the same creative engine: the cortex, and it appears that while they can enhance the creative process, what their various long-term effects on the physiological body are may not be such a positive thing. But then again perhaps to some it is worth the trade...:bugeye:

Some of our most illustrious contributors have been submitted with chemical assistance: Look at Bill Burroughs, Ken Kesey, A. Ginsberg, Albert Hoffman, Tim Leary, Terrence McKenna, James Joyce, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendricks, Louis Carol, Jim Morrison and these are only the ones we know about.

I think there is enough evidence to propose that at least in certain cases drugs can fortify creativity...

I am not too sure about that. I think a mild chemical to reduce the impact of stress and daily grind is enough to make the creative juices flow. Same thing can be achieved by friendship and communication. Here is my experience:

Several years ago, I was involved with a music band group to promote and provide ideas etc. Some of the best work done by them was after we had a jam session about talking and inspiring on "life, universe and everything" type of topics. They forgot where the daily bread will come from, spousal nagging or other daily problems. Though most of them were known to do drugs, my specific requirement was for them not to do the drugs while we were on a project.

So, I think, while a mild tranquilizer (wine, food, aroma, chemicals) may have a good impact, heavy drugs might impede the performance. Meditation, Relaxation and stress management improves the cerebral circulation automatically without the drug use.

The need arises when you are under stress which results in reduced blood flow and reduced activity in the frontal lobes and hence loss of creativity. If a chemical can reduce the stress without any bad side effects on demand - that will be the best solution. But I do not think such chemical exists. I would love to know.

Any drug that can enhance the following, but not cause negative side effects may be worth our while....


Characteristics of Creative Persons *

General Traits

Originality
Verbal fluency
Relatively high intelligence
A good imagination

Thinking Abilities

Uses metaphors in thinking
Flexible decision maker
Uses broad categories
Makes independent judgments
Uses mental images
Can cope with novelty
Thinks logically
Can break mental sets

Thinking Style

Challenges assumptions, asks, “Why?”
Looks for novelty and gaps in knowledge
Draws new ideas out of existing knowledge
Prefers nonverbal communication
Enjoys visualizing
Finds beauty in “good” problems and elegant solutions
Takes advantage of chance

Personality Characteristics

Willing to take intellectual risks
Persistence in problem solving
Curiosity and inquisitiveness
Absorption in tasks of interest
Disciplined and committed to work
High interest in work
Uncomfortable with rules and limits imposed by others
Seeks competence and challenges
Tolerates ambiguity
Broad range of interest
Playful with ideas
Values creativity and originality
Intuitive


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Creative Thinking Pattern?

1. Orientation. A creative thinker defines the problem he wishes to solve, identifying all dimensions deemed important to that creative individual.

2. Preparation. A creative thinker seeks as much info on a topic(s) as possible and ’immerses’ the self in the info as well as in the gathering process.

3. Incubation. Many creative thinkers encounter a period of “futility” while attempting to solve a ‘major’ problem, though on a subconscious level their mind is still very much on the job.

4. Illumination. The creative thinker often experiences a “rapid insight” or “series of insights” once the incubation stage has ended. (“Eureka!” moments)

5. Verification. If critical evaluation of the solution determines that the solution doesn’t “fly” after all, the creative thinker tends to revert to ‘incubation.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One‘s capacity for “divergent thinking” is directly related to one’s capacity for creative thinking. Fluency, flexibility, and originality are some of the abilities rated in determining a person’s ‘level’ of divergent thinking.

Fluency ...in total, how often do you come up with suggestions?

Flexibility ...how often or freely do you shift between thoughts of “possibility?” (possible cause, possible usage, etc...)

Originality ...just how different ARE your ideas, after all?? :D (Unusual = original.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kmguru wrote:

“They forgot where the daily bread will come from, spousal nagging or other daily problems. Though most of them were known to do drugs, my specific requirement was for them not to do the drugs while we were on a project.”

A stressed mind and body can be creative, but can they be as creative as when distracting thoughts are not competing for the front or rear stages in one’s mind, or when the body is more free from the drain or strain from ’coping’ with various burdens--chemically-induced or otherwise?

“I think, therefore I am” is the key, imo. How we think and how we approach thinking. What are our thoughts focused upon--and why? All kinds of exploration or even modification to be done with this. YET, I don’t rule out the discovery of drugs (free of side-effects) that will enhance particular psychological abilities or tendencies. So far though, haven’t heard of anything I’d be tempted to try. (And I would be tempted because being creative is fun! :) )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just more stuff to throw into the pot.

~~~

Counterbalance

~~~~~~~

characteristics list: Introduction to Psychology; Gateways to Mind and Behavior Dennis Coon.

* Adapted from Tardif and Sternberg (1988)

I love the part:

3. Incubation. Many creative thinkers encounter a period of ?futility? while attempting to solve a ?major? problem, though on a subconscious level their mind is still very much on the job.

My spouse, my co-workers all complain that anytime I had to solve something or architect a system, I do something else totally irrelevant. I can not help it. Next time I will show this quote to everyone who complains....

Thanks...

This is the flipside to my last post. It is also clear that drugs are not mandatory for the fruitfulness of one's creativity, and that only in certain cases have the creators attributed their artistry to a substance. I am a student of classical violin (among other things) and personally I feel that a substance would inhibit the productivity of my practicing, but others may feel differently. The Great classical violinist Michael Rabin did not feel this way, and regularly used amphetamines to enhance the duration of his practices, even performing under their influence on occasion. I suppose that it is debatable if his greatness as a musician had anything to do with his drug use, obviously he thought that it did.

¿What does this mean? I think one of the things that it means is that some may benefit by introducing mind-altering substances to their creative processes, while others may not...:bugeye:

Yes, I guess it's ALL already out there, combination possibilities endless, and we just manage to make a for-the-moment better arrangement.

Some of us, without any drug enhancement, are much more sensitive to what's already there than others, and have a strong desire to simply make things better. Why do some of our personalities have more of that drive than others? Why is there Type A and Type B?

Part of it is the parenting we received in our earliest years, some of it environment, some of it need, as in "Necessity is the mother of invention"?

Originally posted by kmguru
I love the part:

3. Incubation. Many creative thinkers encounter a period of ?futility? while attempting to solve a ?major? problem, though on a subconscious level their mind is still very much on the job.

My spouse, my co-workers all complain that anytime I had to solve something or architect a system, I do something else totally irrelevant. I can not help it. Next time I will show this quote to everyone who complains....

Thanks...

kmguru,

I have actually read that this is one of the best ways to solve a problem because your subconcious mind is free from the bounds placed on your conscious mind. In fact, one problem solving techique that is good to use is to lay in bed, just before you fall asleep, and actively think about the problem you are trying to solve. Consider the problem, its relevent points, and its difficulties, without attempting to solve it. Think about it as you drift off to sleep. You have a great likelihood of solving the problem in your dreams or having a solution when you awake.

It seems as though unlikely timing and inspiration go hand in hand . It is always when I am far from any means of transcripting that a bright idea strikes: no pen or no paper, no tape recorder, etc...¿Why is this, I wonder?

Perhaps it's the trade we have to make.

It happens to me too. I try to repeat myself several time, so that I do not forget it when I get to the computer.

My bright ideas usually come Saturday and Sunday mornings, when I am lazy and just lay in bed before fully awake ...and think stuff....