scottberkun.com hire me blog essays ... contact #56 - Creative thinking hacks By Scott Berkun , August 7, 2007 All of us, except my idiot cousin who still eats glue, possess everything necessary to be more creative. The problem is weâve been trained away from our creative instincts by schools, parents, movies and workplaces. The word creativity is frequently inflated by association, frequently appearing with overused, hype-laden words such as genius, brilliance, revolution and innovation. Hype mongers and creative intimidators throw those labels around like candy, scaring most people out of their own natural creative instincts. This essay, a high speed hack-centric interpretation of the creative thinking course I taught at the University of Washington , offers both concepts and tricks to help anyone be creative at any time. Kill creative romance First, like most media today, this essay starts with violence (and unnecessary exclamation points)! Close your eyes, imagine the most amazing sword ever made, and attack every creative legend youâve ever heard. Weâve romanced da Vinci, Mozart and Einstein into gods, minimizing the ordinary aspects of their lives so intensely that their mothers wouldnât recognize them in the legends we tell. Next, using your swordâs mint scented flamethrower attachment, set fire to childhood tales of Isaac Newton and the apple, Benjamin Franklin and the lightning kite , and Edison and the light bulb. These popular tales of creativity and discovery are deceptive at best, wild lies at worst, shaped to placate the masses, not to inform creative people on their craft. Tear it all down, throw a dozen napalm coated hand grenades in for good measure, and watch your old, broken down view of creativity go up in flames. Dance over the smoldering ruins! Roast marshmallows on the still warm remains of your creative fulminations! The fun begins now. | |
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