Most of us (at least those who read this blog) value creativity. We want to have more creative ideas and have them more easily. I regularly report on specific ways to accomplish both of those goals. But today I want to offer some more general thoughts about creativity. I start with the question: Does education teach us to be creative, or does it more often create the “box” that we wish to get our thinking out of?

It seems to me that the latter is the case. In schools we are typically taught to do things in a certain way, for example. In my case, as a child, I was even punished for solving math problems using my own algorithms–despite having correct solutions. A more general problem is that education often consist of teaching knowledge only, with little instruction in how to think more analytically or more creatively.

Another question: Is it possible that we need to “find a home” in chaos and uncertainty to live at our most creative? In other words, do we too readily look for certainty where there is none to be had, and does this stifle creativity? My though on this is that it may be enough to recognize the need to act on certain rules or bleliefs, without taking them as unchangeable or the last word on the matter. How can we expect to find new territory in our minds if we will not take the path less-traveled?

What about genius? Is it only a matter of intelligence and creativity, or is the willingness to take risks just as important? It seems to me that some who are called “genius” according to IQ level still are timid and restricted in their thinking. In practice I think the title should indicate one who has original creative thoughts, not just one who is efficient in logical analysis.

At some point imagination becomes more important than intelligence. A smart builder can follow blueprints to build a house, but a builder with imagination can design a whole new kind of housing. We do need a certain amount of both intelligence and knowledge, but at some point working on imagination and creativity is more important.

One more thought. Creativity suggests actual creation of something, not just imagination. What is smart about accumulating knowledge and theories–or even great new ideas–which are never put to good use in one’s life?

If you have you your own thoughts about creativity, feel free to comment below.