Unchain Your Brain

Where does creativity come from?  According to the Washington University in St. Louis Alumni magazine, myths abound regarding the origins of everyday creativity.  Here’s what they write:

“In his book Creative Genius, Keith Sawyer discusses in detail the creativity myths society holds dear. Here are some of those myths, followed by highly condensed facts, in Sawyer’s own words:

• Myth: Creativity comes from the unconscious. (Fact: “It is mostly conscious, hard work.”)
• Myth: Children are more creative than adults. (Fact:“Children aren’t as creative as we think they are.” Creativity is a “long and difficult path.”)
• Myth: Creativity represents the individual’s inner spirit. (Fact: The works represent “the characteristic markers of our culture and time period.”)
• Myth: Creativity is spontaneous inspiration. (Fact: “Formal training and conscious deliberation are essential.”)
• Myth: Creativity is the same thing as originality. (Fact: “All creativity includes elements of imitation and tradition. There is no such thing as a completely novel work.”)
• Myth: Fine art is more creative than craft. (Fact: “Our culture is biased toward creative products that have no function other than pleasure. But this division is culturally and historically relative.”)

If you’re looking to unlock creativity, unchain your brain!