Dumb Medicine

One of my favorite lectures of all time points out that we have no idea what the future holds. Our education system is meant to be preparing us for this future which will be completely different than it is today.

Ken Robinson believes that creativity should be valued just as much as reading is. I must say that I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Let’s define creativity

First, we need to be on the same page. To me, creativity is the ability to come up with an original idea that adds value to some aspect of life. It usually presents itself as a combination of two previously separate ideas into a new useful form. An example of this would be bringing together my understanding of websites, and my wish to develop both myself and others. What I’ve created is something new that is useful.

So you see, anyone can be creative. Just write down a list of things you like to do and you’re good at. Then start combining them. I once saw a movie where the actress hosted a jogging/photography class. Hell, I wanna go try that right now.

The problem with schools

I believe schools disvalue creativity in children. Instructors take this authoritative approach to teaching. They have the answers, they provide the questions, the students should just learn what is taught.

Children become afraid to be wrong, and this in turn creates adults who are afraid to be wrong. The problem is this line of reasoning is completely ass backwards. Take it from your own experiences. Haven’t the lessons that have stuck with you the most clearly been from mistakes you made rather than answers you got right?

Failure is not creativity

Now I’m not saying failure is creativity. However, Ken Robinson pointed out that you can’t be creative if you’re not prepared to be wrong. And the truth is you can’t.

People aren’t born with innate knowledge in whatever field they’re in. They learn it, and a lot of times it’s by trial and error. Those people who are truly creative fail. They fail a bunch. What separates them from the pack is their mindset.

The creative mindset

The creative mindset does not take a single failure as an ultimate failure. The creative mindset learns from the failure and adjusts appropriately. After you adjust, you may still fail. Just keep pushing hard and eventually you’ll come up with a creative solution.

Hope this was helpful. If not, please comment and tell me so.

-DM