[Applause] in July of 2010 Newsweek ran a cover
in July of 2010 Newsweek ran a cover
in July of 2010 Newsweek ran a cover story entitled the creativity crisis it
story entitled the creativity crisis it
story entitled the creativity crisis it was a pretty sobering article concluding
was a pretty sobering article concluding
was a pretty sobering article concluding that Americans at that time were
that Americans at that time were
that Americans at that time were significantly less creative than they
significantly less creative than they
significantly less creative than they were 25 years prior and that assertion
were 25 years prior and that assertion
were 25 years prior and that assertion was made citing research of scores from
was made citing research of scores from
was made citing research of scores from a test that measures the creative
a test that measures the creative
a test that measures the creative aptitude among children known as the
aptitude among children known as the
aptitude among children known as the Torrance test of creative thinking as a
Torrance test of creative thinking as a
Torrance test of creative thinking as a widely or well regarded test within the
widely or well regarded test within the
widely or well regarded test within the scientific community it’s been around
scientific community it’s been around
scientific community it’s been around since like the 1950s and when you take a
since like the 1950s and when you take a
since like the 1950s and when you take a look at the data over time it was pretty
look at the data over time it was pretty
look at the data over time it was pretty clear that the store the score started a
clear that the store the score started a
clear that the store the score started a nosedive right around 1990 now you might
nosedive right around 1990 now you might
nosedive right around 1990 now you might say well how much of a nosedive were we
say well how much of a nosedive were we
say well how much of a nosedive were we talking about
talking about
talking about well in one of the areas of the test
well in one of the areas of the test
well in one of the areas of the test known as elaboration which is basically
known as elaboration which is basically
known as elaboration which is basically the ability to take an idea and build
the ability to take an idea and build
the ability to take an idea and build upon it in a new and interesting way 85%
upon it in a new and interesting way 85%
upon it in a new and interesting way 85% of the respondents in 2008 scored below
of the respondents in 2008 scored below
of the respondents in 2008 scored below the average of respondents in 1984 this
the average of respondents in 1984 this
the average of respondents in 1984 this was not a trivial decline in fact I
was not a trivial decline in fact I
was not a trivial decline in fact I don’t think it was a an overstatement to
don’t think it was a an overstatement to
don’t think it was a an overstatement to call this a crisis now the authors of
call this a crisis now the authors of
call this a crisis now the authors of the article cited three main drivers of
the article cited three main drivers of
the article cited three main drivers of the decline one was an increase in
the decline one was an increase in
the decline one was an increase in television viewing you know kids
television viewing you know kids
television viewing you know kids spending more time sort of passively
spending more time sort of passively
spending more time sort of passively consuming entertainment rather than
consuming entertainment rather than
consuming entertainment rather than actively engaged in creating and
actively engaged in creating and
actively engaged in creating and imagining things second was the rise in
imagining things second was the rise in
imagining things second was the rise in video gaming so more time spent on
video gaming so more time spent on
video gaming so more time spent on activities that are geared more around
activities that are geared more around
activities that are geared more around mastery and achievement than around
mastery and achievement than around
mastery and achievement than around creativity and then the final factor is
creativity and then the final factor is
creativity and then the final factor is the increase in standardized testing in
the increase in standardized testing in
the increase in standardized testing in US schools and the consequence of that
US schools and the consequence of that
US schools and the consequence of that of course is that you know you
of course is that you know you
of course is that you know you ultimately have more time being spent in
ultimately have more time being spent in
ultimately have more time being spent in schools on those subjects that are
schools on those subjects that are
schools on those subjects that are tested like English and math and less
tested like English and math and less
tested like English and math and less time being spent on those things that
time being spent on those things that
time being spent on those things that are not tested like art drama music and
are not tested like art drama music and
are not tested like art drama music and even recess so that was the article in a
even recess so that was the article in a
even recess so that was the article in a nutshell and it created quite a bit of
nutshell and it created quite a bit of
nutshell and it created quite a bit of buzz when it was when it was published a
buzz when it was when it was published a
buzz when it was when it was published a lot of concern expressed from parents to
lot of concern expressed from parents to
lot of concern expressed from parents to educators to businesspeople to
educators to businesspeople to
educators to businesspeople to politicians and I actually member when
politicians and I actually member when
politicians and I actually member when the article came out I was quite struck
the article came out I was quite struck
the article came out I was quite struck by it so I couldn’t help I wonder
by it so I couldn’t help I wonder
by it so I couldn’t help I wonder recently you know whatever happened to
recently you know whatever happened to
recently you know whatever happened to the creativity crisis so I did a little
the creativity crisis so I did a little
the creativity crisis so I did a little bit of digging and the short answer is
bit of digging and the short answer is
bit of digging and the short answer is not much actually it just pretty much
not much actually it just pretty much
not much actually it just pretty much fizzled right out of the mainstream
fizzled right out of the mainstream
fizzled right out of the mainstream Media now there was a book published
Media now there was a book published
Media now there was a book published though last September called the
though last September called the
though last September called the creativity challenge how we can
creativity challenge how we can
creativity challenge how we can recapture American innovation and that
recapture American innovation and that
recapture American innovation and that book was written by dr. kim hee kim who
book was written by dr. kim hee kim who
book was written by dr. kim hee kim who is a professor at the College of William
is a professor at the College of William
is a professor at the College of William Mary now interestingly it was dr. Kim’s
Mary now interestingly it was dr. Kim’s
Mary now interestingly it was dr. Kim’s research of the Torrance testscores that
research of the Torrance testscores that
research of the Torrance testscores that sparked the Newsweek article in 2010 so
sparked the Newsweek article in 2010 so
sparked the Newsweek article in 2010 so her book was a bit of an update on where
her book was a bit of an update on where
her book was a bit of an update on where we stand
we stand
we stand and unfortunately the conclusion in her
and unfortunately the conclusion in her
and unfortunately the conclusion in her book is that the decline in American
book is that the decline in American
book is that the decline in American creativity continues with no end in
creativity continues with no end in
creativity continues with no end in sight and as a matter of fact the latest
sight and as a matter of fact the latest
sight and as a matter of fact the latest round of torrance data for 2017 has yet
round of torrance data for 2017 has yet
round of torrance data for 2017 has yet to be published but dr. kim is currently
to be published but dr. kim is currently
to be published but dr. kim is currently working with the data and she confirmed
working with the data and she confirmed
working with the data and she confirmed with me via email that not only does the
with me via email that not only does the
with me via email that not only does the clinton does the decline continue but it
clinton does the decline continue but it
clinton does the decline continue but it does so at an accelerating rate now in
does so at an accelerating rate now in
does so at an accelerating rate now in her book she actually cites two
her book she actually cites two
her book she actually cites two additional factors that are causing the
additional factors that are causing the
additional factors that are causing the the recent decline one is a change in
the recent decline one is a change in
the recent decline one is a change in parenting styles so increasingly you see
parenting styles so increasingly you see
parenting styles so increasingly you see parents who are more involved more
parents who are more involved more
parents who are more involved more engaged more protective more directive
engaged more protective more directive
engaged more protective more directive and that actually gives kids fewer
and that actually gives kids fewer
and that actually gives kids fewer degrees of freedom to sort of think for
degrees of freedom to sort of think for
degrees of freedom to sort of think for themselves and to explore their own
themselves and to explore their own
themselves and to explore their own worlds secondly there’s an increase in
worlds secondly there’s an increase in
worlds secondly there’s an increase in economic uncertainty and especially
economic uncertainty and especially
economic uncertainty and especially coming out of the recession of 2008 9
coming out of the recession of 2008 9
coming out of the recession of 2008 9 you have more and more parents who are
you have more and more parents who are
you have more and more parents who are just concerned about the economic future
just concerned about the economic future
just concerned about the economic future of their kids and what that has led to
of their kids and what that has led to
of their kids and what that has led to is an increase in sort of resume
is an increase in sort of resume
is an increase in sort of resume building at younger and younger ages so
building at younger and younger ages so
building at younger and younger ages so you have much more time spent on
you have much more time spent on
you have much more time spent on structured and organized activities and
structured and organized activities and
structured and organized activities and that’s time coming away from open-ended
that’s time coming away from open-ended
that’s time coming away from open-ended and free play and then of course also
and free play and then of course also
and free play and then of course also dr. Kim points to the fact that the
dr. Kim points to the fact that the
dr. Kim points to the fact that the drive toward more standardized testing
drive toward more standardized testing
drive toward more standardized testing in US schools continues unabated so why
in US schools continues unabated so why
in US schools continues unabated so why does all this matter why should we
does all this matter why should we
does all this matter why should we really care well I think that there are
really care well I think that there are
really care well I think that there are two pretty fundamental reasons at least
two pretty fundamental reasons at least
two pretty fundamental reasons at least one is pretty obvious which is that
one is pretty obvious which is that
one is pretty obvious which is that creativity is quite fundamental to our
creativity is quite fundamental to our
creativity is quite fundamental to our quality of life right I mean if we think
quality of life right I mean if we think
quality of life right I mean if we think about just for example some of the
about just for example some of the
about just for example some of the things and inspire us most in life it
things and inspire us most in life it
things and inspire us most in life it could be a favorite book your favorite
could be a favorite book your favorite
could be a favorite book your favorite music your favorite piece of art your
music your favorite piece of art your
music your favorite piece of art your favorite film etc all of those come to
favorite film etc all of those come to
favorite film etc all of those come to us courtesy of very creative people who
us courtesy of very creative people who
us courtesy of very creative people who had original ideas and a talent and the
had original ideas and a talent and the
had original ideas and a talent and the guts to bring them to life we don’t want
guts to bring them to life we don’t want
guts to bring them to life we don’t want to see that diminish right but what I
to see that diminish right but what I
to see that diminish right but what I want to focus is on another reason which
want to focus is on another reason which
want to focus is on another reason which is admittedly more practical and that is
is admittedly more practical and that is
is admittedly more practical and that is that I’m
that I’m
that I’m that the decline in creativity could
that the decline in creativity could
that the decline in creativity could very well lead to a decline in the
very well lead to a decline in the
very well lead to a decline in the standard of living in the US the reason
standard of living in the US the reason
standard of living in the US the reason I say that is that the decline in
I say that is that the decline in
I say that is that the decline in creativity is coinciding with an
creativity is coinciding with an
creativity is coinciding with an increase in digitalization and
increase in digitalization and
increase in digitalization and globalization to forces that are
globalization to forces that are
globalization to forces that are creating a hyper-connected world in
creating a hyper-connected world in
creating a hyper-connected world in which change is happening with great
which change is happening with great
which change is happening with great speed and great significance just to
speed and great significance just to
speed and great significance just to reflect on some examples there I mean
reflect on some examples there I mean
reflect on some examples there I mean just think about all of the things that
just think about all of the things that
just think about all of the things that we do today that are profoundly
we do today that are profoundly
we do today that are profoundly different than the way that we do them
different than the way that we do them
different than the way that we do them say or did them five or ten years ago
say or did them five or ten years ago
say or did them five or ten years ago think about the way that we shop the way
think about the way that we shop the way
think about the way that we shop the way that we listen to music the way that we
that we listen to music the way that we
that we listen to music the way that we watch television the way that we
watch television the way that we
watch television the way that we socialize the way that we taxi cabs the
socialize the way that we taxi cabs the
socialize the way that we taxi cabs the way that we date the way that we order
way that we date the way that we order
way that we date the way that we order hotel rooms you know all of these things
hotel rooms you know all of these things
hotel rooms you know all of these things have been transformed in a very short
have been transformed in a very short
have been transformed in a very short period of time not to mention the fact
period of time not to mention the fact
period of time not to mention the fact that there’s a lot of change going on
that there’s a lot of change going on
that there’s a lot of change going on right now in the geopolitical landscape
right now in the geopolitical landscape
right now in the geopolitical landscape as we well know now some people would
as we well know now some people would
as we well know now some people would characterize this as a VUCA world which
characterize this as a VUCA world which
characterize this as a VUCA world which is an acronym standing for volatile
is an acronym standing for volatile
is an acronym standing for volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous and
uncertain complex and ambiguous and
uncertain complex and ambiguous and unfortunately dr. Kim concludes that we
unfortunately dr. Kim concludes that we
unfortunately dr. Kim concludes that we have an increasingly limited number of
have an increasingly limited number of
have an increasingly limited number of people who have the ability to find and
people who have the ability to find and
people who have the ability to find and implement the solutions that are going
implement the solutions that are going
implement the solutions that are going to face us in this Fuuka world so now
to face us in this Fuuka world so now
to face us in this Fuuka world so now you might be wondering hang on a minute
you might be wondering hang on a minute
you might be wondering hang on a minute there’s a flaw in your argument because
there’s a flaw in your argument because
there’s a flaw in your argument because the very disruption that you’re talking
the very disruption that you’re talking
the very disruption that you’re talking about
about
about is proof positive that American
is proof positive that American
is proof positive that American ingenuity is alive and well because many
ingenuity is alive and well because many
ingenuity is alive and well because many of those changes you talked about are
of those changes you talked about are
of those changes you talked about are basically representing innovations that
basically representing innovations that
basically representing innovations that have come disproportionately from
have come disproportionately from
have come disproportionately from American companies and that’s true but
American companies and that’s true but
American companies and that’s true but that misses a very important nuance
that misses a very important nuance
that misses a very important nuance which is that all of those are examples
which is that all of those are examples
which is that all of those are examples from the technology sector and the tech
from the technology sector and the tech
from the technology sector and the tech sector is not exactly representative of
sector is not exactly representative of
sector is not exactly representative of the economy more broadly in fact when
the economy more broadly in fact when
the economy more broadly in fact when you take a look at a lot of the
you take a look at a lot of the
you take a look at a lot of the indicators for ingenuity across the
indicators for ingenuity across the
indicators for ingenuity across the economy more broadly tells a less
economy more broadly tells a less
economy more broadly tells a less inspiring story
inspiring story
inspiring story Tyler Cohen who just published a book
Tyler Cohen who just published a book
Tyler Cohen who just published a book called the complacency class cited that
called the complacency class cited that
called the complacency class cited that the following measures are all down in
the following measures are all down in
the following measures are all down in recent years productivity in virtually
recent years productivity in virtually
recent years productivity in virtually every sector of the US economy startups
every sector of the US economy startups
every sector of the US economy startups as a share of US firms and net capital
as a share of US firms and net capital
as a share of US firms and net capital investment as a share of GDP right at
investment as a share of GDP right at
investment as a share of GDP right at the same time
the same time
the same time Ann Marie not who’s a professor at
Ann Marie not who’s a professor at
Ann Marie not who’s a professor at Washington University’s Business School
Washington University’s Business School
Washington University’s Business School has been studying research and
has been studying research and
has been studying research and development spending
development spending
development spending American companies and she recently
American companies and she recently
American companies and she recently published an article in which he
published an article in which he
published an article in which he concluded that the return on R&D
concluded that the return on R&D
concluded that the return on R&D spending across America across American
spending across America across American
spending across America across American companies is down 65 percent over the
companies is down 65 percent over the
companies is down 65 percent over the last 30 years moreover she goes on to
last 30 years moreover she goes on to
last 30 years moreover she goes on to prove that much of that decline is not
prove that much of that decline is not
prove that much of that decline is not driven by structural changes in the
driven by structural changes in the
driven by structural changes in the economy it’s much more driven by the
economy it’s much more driven by the
economy it’s much more driven by the fact that American companies are just
fact that American companies are just
fact that American companies are just getting worse at innovating so how do we
getting worse at innovating so how do we
getting worse at innovating so how do we turn all this around make the obvious
turn all this around make the obvious
turn all this around make the obvious answer is we need a vigorous refocus on
answer is we need a vigorous refocus on
answer is we need a vigorous refocus on creativity and also I think it’s close
creativity and also I think it’s close
creativity and also I think it’s close cousin curiosity and I say curiosity
cousin curiosity and I say curiosity
cousin curiosity and I say curiosity because that will make us a lot more
because that will make us a lot more
because that will make us a lot more tolerant of ambiguity and also more
tolerant of ambiguity and also more
tolerant of ambiguity and also more inclined to continually learn in a world
inclined to continually learn in a world
inclined to continually learn in a world that’s constantly changing so to sort of
that’s constantly changing so to sort of
that’s constantly changing so to sort of illustrate the importance of creativity
illustrate the importance of creativity
illustrate the importance of creativity and curiosity I want to kind of give you
and curiosity I want to kind of give you
and curiosity I want to kind of give you a little bit of a metaphor using Lego
a little bit of a metaphor using Lego
a little bit of a metaphor using Lego building all right now imagine that I
building all right now imagine that I
building all right now imagine that I were to give everybody here sort of a
were to give everybody here sort of a
were to give everybody here sort of a small bag of red and yellow bricks okay
small bag of red and yellow bricks okay
small bag of red and yellow bricks okay and we do two different exercises first
and we do two different exercises first
and we do two different exercises first exercise is I just asked you to build a
exercise is I just asked you to build a
exercise is I just asked you to build a duck whatever you think a duck should
duck whatever you think a duck should
duck whatever you think a duck should look like right and chances are we’d
look like right and chances are we’d
look like right and chances are we’d probably see something like this right a
probably see something like this right a
probably see something like this right a different duck from everybody in the
different duck from everybody in the
different duck from everybody in the room all right second exercise is I then
room all right second exercise is I then
room all right second exercise is I then hand you out a set of instructions on
hand you out a set of instructions on
hand you out a set of instructions on how to build a specific duck and the
how to build a specific duck and the
how to build a specific duck and the exercise would be a competition to see
exercise would be a competition to see
exercise would be a competition to see who could build that duck to the
who could build that duck to the
who could build that duck to the instructions the fastest write the first
instructions the fastest write the first
instructions the fastest write the first exercise is all about creative problem
exercise is all about creative problem
exercise is all about creative problem solving the second exercise is all about
solving the second exercise is all about
solving the second exercise is all about efficiency and optimization and I think
efficiency and optimization and I think
efficiency and optimization and I think it’s the first exercise that’s far more
it’s the first exercise that’s far more
it’s the first exercise that’s far more representative of the kind of work
representative of the kind of work
representative of the kind of work that’s going to be required of us in a
that’s going to be required of us in a
that’s going to be required of us in a VUCA world right many of the challenges
VUCA world right many of the challenges
VUCA world right many of the challenges that we’re going to be faced with and
that we’re going to be faced with and
that we’re going to be faced with and even currently are faced with don’t come
even currently are faced with don’t come
even currently are faced with don’t come with an obvious right or wrong answer
with an obvious right or wrong answer
with an obvious right or wrong answer they certainly don’t come with a set of
they certainly don’t come with a set of
they certainly don’t come with a set of instructions and they’re the types of
instructions and they’re the types of
instructions and they’re the types of problems where there are many different
problems where there are many different
problems where there are many different types of solutions to them so how do we
types of solutions to them so how do we
types of solutions to them so how do we reorient around creativity and curiosity
reorient around creativity and curiosity
reorient around creativity and curiosity well when it comes to doing that with
well when it comes to doing that with
well when it comes to doing that with kids we already have a bit of a start
kids we already have a bit of a start
kids we already have a bit of a start right there are some amazing TED talks
right there are some amazing TED talks
right there are some amazing TED talks and books and articles from brilliant
and books and articles from brilliant
and books and articles from brilliant people like Sir Ken Robinson and tone
people like Sir Ken Robinson and tone
people like Sir Ken Robinson and tone Waggener and peter gray people have done
Waggener and peter gray people have done
Waggener and peter gray people have done amazing work and have super compelling
amazing work and have super compelling
amazing work and have super compelling insights and ideas on how to go about
insights and ideas on how to go about
insights and ideas on how to go about everything from education reform to
everything from education reform to
everything from education reform to reorienting around play as ways of
reorienting around play as ways of
reorienting around play as ways of really boosting creativity among kids
really boosting creativity among kids
really boosting creativity among kids although as dr. Kim points out we
although as dr. Kim points out we
although as dr. Kim points out we definitely could use a need continual
definitely could use a need continual
definitely could use a need continual scientific research in this space but
scientific research in this space but
scientific research in this space but it’s not as if we don’t have a base of
it’s not as if we don’t have a base of
it’s not as if we don’t have a base of ideas to start with yet despite all the
ideas to start with yet despite all the
ideas to start with yet despite all the great work that’s been done there the
great work that’s been done there the
great work that’s been done there the creativity crisis still persists which
creativity crisis still persists which
creativity crisis still persists which tells me that we’re in this mess not
tells me that we’re in this mess not
tells me that we’re in this mess not because we don’t know or have ideas on
because we don’t know or have ideas on
because we don’t know or have ideas on how to get out of it but rather we don’t
how to get out of it but rather we don’t
how to get out of it but rather we don’t have the focus and attention against it
have the focus and attention against it
have the focus and attention against it now what gets even less attention is how
now what gets even less attention is how
now what gets even less attention is how do we improve creativity among adults
do we improve creativity among adults
do we improve creativity among adults and for that I think the answer could at
and for that I think the answer could at
and for that I think the answer could at least maybe in part lie in a manner that
least maybe in part lie in a manner that
least maybe in part lie in a manner that our company tries to embrace which is
our company tries to embrace which is
our company tries to embrace which is that children are our role models and I
that children are our role models and I
that children are our role models and I realized that this sorry that this
realized that this sorry that this
realized that this sorry that this metric and our intuitive right because
metric and our intuitive right because
metric and our intuitive right because it’s like you know what is it that we
it’s like you know what is it that we
it’s like you know what is it that we can learn from from children being
can learn from from children being
can learn from from children being adults we’re so much more mature and you
adults we’re so much more mature and you
adults we’re so much more mature and you know worldly and experienced and but
know worldly and experienced and but
know worldly and experienced and but when it comes to creativity and
when it comes to creativity and
when it comes to creativity and curiosity those are traits that come far
curiosity those are traits that come far
curiosity those are traits that come far more naturally to kids than they do to
more naturally to kids than they do to
more naturally to kids than they do to to adults right I mean kids are
to adults right I mean kids are
to adults right I mean kids are constantly asking questions they have a
constantly asking questions they have a
constantly asking questions they have a natural urge to play and they’re also
natural urge to play and they’re also
natural urge to play and they’re also much better more sort of freely
much better more sort of freely
much better more sort of freely expressing themselves without being
expressing themselves without being
expressing themselves without being overly concerned about what other people
overly concerned about what other people
overly concerned about what other people think
think
think right but those tendencies diminish
right but those tendencies diminish
right but those tendencies diminish significantly as we age we enter into
significantly as we age we enter into
significantly as we age we enter into institutions like schools or businesses
institutions like schools or businesses
institutions like schools or businesses that had placed a much higher premium on
that had placed a much higher premium on
that had placed a much higher premium on having the right answer rather than on
having the right answer rather than on
having the right answer rather than on asking questions right also our free
asking questions right also our free
asking questions right also our free time diminishes rather significantly
time diminishes rather significantly
time diminishes rather significantly when we age allowing us less opportunity
when we age allowing us less opportunity
when we age allowing us less opportunity to indulge in certain curiosities and
to indulge in certain curiosities and
to indulge in certain curiosities and that finally as we age we do let’s face
that finally as we age we do let’s face
that finally as we age we do let’s face it we become a lot more self conscious
it we become a lot more self conscious
it we become a lot more self conscious which can be an inhibitor to offering up
which can be an inhibitor to offering up
which can be an inhibitor to offering up original thinking so now I realize that
original thinking so now I realize that
original thinking so now I realize that this metaphor does have some limits I
this metaphor does have some limits I
this metaphor does have some limits I mean we can’t want to act like children
mean we can’t want to act like children
mean we can’t want to act like children all the time we probably need to be a
all the time we probably need to be a
all the time we probably need to be a little selective so I think that there
little selective so I think that there
little selective so I think that there are basically three key ways in which we
are basically three key ways in which we
are basically three key ways in which we can take inspiration from young kids on
can take inspiration from young kids on
can take inspiration from young kids on how to boost our creativity and
how to boost our creativity and
how to boost our creativity and curiosity the first is to make more time
curiosity the first is to make more time
curiosity the first is to make more time to play
to play
to play all right now there is no way that we’re
all right now there is no way that we’re
all right now there is no way that we’re going to boost our creativity and
going to boost our creativity and
going to boost our creativity and curiosity by being as busy and
curiosity by being as busy and
curiosity by being as busy and overcommitted as we are Adam grant who
overcommitted as we are Adam grant who
overcommitted as we are Adam grant who wrote an awesome book on creativity
wrote an awesome book on creativity
wrote an awesome book on creativity called originals cited the fact that
called originals cited the fact that
called originals cited the fact that people who have started businesses or
people who have started businesses or
people who have started businesses or contributed to patent applications are
contributed to patent applications are
contributed to patent applications are far more likely to have leisure time
far more likely to have leisure time
far more likely to have leisure time activities in things like drawing
activities in things like drawing
activities in things like drawing painting sculpting architecture
painting sculpting architecture
painting sculpting architecture literature and the idea there is that
literature and the idea there is that
literature and the idea there is that when we’re engaged in those kinds of
when we’re engaged in those kinds of
when we’re engaged in those kinds of activities our brain is able to make
activities our brain is able to make
activities our brain is able to make connections that it otherwise wouldn’t
connections that it otherwise wouldn’t
connections that it otherwise wouldn’t when our brains are constantly in work
when our brains are constantly in work
when our brains are constantly in work mode perhaps George Bernard Shaw said it
mode perhaps George Bernard Shaw said it
mode perhaps George Bernard Shaw said it best when he said we don’t stop playing
best when he said we don’t stop playing
best when he said we don’t stop playing because we grow old we grow old because
because we grow old we grow old because
because we grow old we grow old because we stop playing and it my fear is that
we stop playing and it my fear is that
we stop playing and it my fear is that in a VUCA world the aging process is
in a VUCA world the aging process is
in a VUCA world the aging process is going to accelerate pretty rapidly for
going to accelerate pretty rapidly for
going to accelerate pretty rapidly for people who aren’t appropriately playful
people who aren’t appropriately playful
people who aren’t appropriately playful and creative second is do your bedtime
and creative second is do your bedtime
and creative second is do your bedtime reading
reading
reading alright and the whole idea here is that
alright and the whole idea here is that
alright and the whole idea here is that we can boost our creativity by expanding
we can boost our creativity by expanding
we can boost our creativity by expanding our horizons and broadening our
our horizons and broadening our
our horizons and broadening our perspectives on things and reading is a
perspectives on things and reading is a
perspectives on things and reading is a pretty cheap and easy way to do that my
pretty cheap and easy way to do that my
pretty cheap and easy way to do that my favorite example of this is of a company
favorite example of this is of a company
favorite example of this is of a company named or called performance Sports Group
named or called performance Sports Group
named or called performance Sports Group and they make sporting-goods equipment
and they make sporting-goods equipment
and they make sporting-goods equipment and there right now testing a prototype
and there right now testing a prototype
and there right now testing a prototype of a device to prevent concussions in
of a device to prevent concussions in
of a device to prevent concussions in people who play contact sports right
people who play contact sports right
people who play contact sports right they design this device by studying
they design this device by studying
they design this device by studying woodpeckers now I got to be honest I
woodpeckers now I got to be honest I
woodpeckers now I got to be honest I have never in my life wondered why it is
have never in my life wondered why it is
have never in my life wondered why it is that woodpeckers do what they do without
that woodpeckers do what they do without
that woodpeckers do what they do without getting concussions but they did great
getting concussions but they did great
getting concussions but they did great example of broadening your horizons to
example of broadening your horizons to
example of broadening your horizons to generate creative ideas thirdly
generate creative ideas thirdly
generate creative ideas thirdly relentlessly ask why not write kids do
relentlessly ask why not write kids do
relentlessly ask why not write kids do this all the time and largely because
this all the time and largely because
this all the time and largely because they don’t really know what’s not
they don’t really know what’s not
they don’t really know what’s not possible right there’s a great story of
possible right there’s a great story of
possible right there’s a great story of a guy named Edwin land who was on
a guy named Edwin land who was on
a guy named Edwin land who was on vacation in 1943 with his family and he
vacation in 1943 with his family and he
vacation in 1943 with his family and he took a picture of his three-year-old
took a picture of his three-year-old
took a picture of his three-year-old daughter and she obviously wanted to see
daughter and she obviously wanted to see
daughter and she obviously wanted to see the picture right then and he said well
the picture right then and he said well
the picture right then and he said well you can’t and she said why not and he
you can’t and she said why not and he
you can’t and she said why not and he then went about the process of
then went about the process of
then went about the process of explaining to a three-year-old how film
explaining to a three-year-old how film
explaining to a three-year-old how film gets developed you can imagine how that
gets developed you can imagine how that
gets developed you can imagine how that conversation went but the whole point
conversation went but the whole point
conversation went but the whole point around this is that her relentless
around this is that her relentless
around this is that her relentless persistence around this ultimately led
persistence around this ultimately led
persistence around this ultimately led him to invent the instant camera which
him to invent the instant camera which
him to invent the instant camera which out to be a pretty helpful boost for the
out to be a pretty helpful boost for the
out to be a pretty helpful boost for the company that he founded called Polaroid
company that he founded called Polaroid
company that he founded called Polaroid right Steve Jobs was also famously known
right Steve Jobs was also famously known
right Steve Jobs was also famously known for having a reality distortion field
for having a reality distortion field
for having a reality distortion field now the way that Steve distorted reality
now the way that Steve distorted reality
now the way that Steve distorted reality is that he would basically just not
is that he would basically just not
is that he would basically just not acknowledge limits or constraints on
acknowledge limits or constraints on
acknowledge limits or constraints on things right I mean he basically anytime
things right I mean he basically anytime
things right I mean he basically anytime somebody would say yes D that’s a good
somebody would say yes D that’s a good
somebody would say yes D that’s a good idea but we can’t because Steve would
idea but we can’t because Steve would
idea but we can’t because Steve would then just break into lalalalala you know
then just break into lalalalala you know
then just break into lalalalala you know and it was that kind of childlike
and it was that kind of childlike
and it was that kind of childlike behavior that I’m sure drove his
behavior that I’m sure drove his
behavior that I’m sure drove his co-workers crazy but it ultimately led
co-workers crazy but it ultimately led
co-workers crazy but it ultimately led to some of the greatest inventions in
to some of the greatest inventions in
to some of the greatest inventions in recent history now unfortunately it
recent history now unfortunately it
recent history now unfortunately it seems as if society is actually going in
seems as if society is actually going in
seems as if society is actually going in the opposite direction of this mantra
the opposite direction of this mantra
the opposite direction of this mantra rather than adults becoming more like
rather than adults becoming more like
rather than adults becoming more like kids kids seem to become becoming more
kids kids seem to become becoming more
kids kids seem to become becoming more like adults over scheduled
like adults over scheduled
like adults over scheduled over-regulated and overrun nted it
over-regulated and overrun nted it
over-regulated and overrun nted it shouldn’t shock us that creativity
shouldn’t shock us that creativity
shouldn’t shock us that creativity scores are plummeting so what do we need
scores are plummeting so what do we need
scores are plummeting so what do we need to do I think we as adults have an
to do I think we as adults have an
to do I think we as adults have an obligation to create the conditions for
obligation to create the conditions for
obligation to create the conditions for kids that allow them to do what they do
kids that allow them to do what they do
kids that allow them to do what they do best which is to be kids to be naturally
best which is to be kids to be naturally
best which is to be kids to be naturally creative and curious let’s not rush them
creative and curious let’s not rush them
creative and curious let’s not rush them into adulthood and then for ourselves we
into adulthood and then for ourselves we
into adulthood and then for ourselves we need to then take their lead you know
need to then take their lead you know
need to then take their lead you know this idea of children needing to be our
this idea of children needing to be our
this idea of children needing to be our role models it’s not some kind of quaint
role models it’s not some kind of quaint
role models it’s not some kind of quaint cute little thing I think it’s
cute little thing I think it’s
cute little thing I think it’s imperative in a world that’s going to be
imperative in a world that’s going to be
imperative in a world that’s going to be increasingly valuing creativity and
increasingly valuing creativity and
increasingly valuing creativity and curiosity and a good case could be made
curiosity and a good case could be made
curiosity and a good case could be made for the fact that creativity and
for the fact that creativity and
for the fact that creativity and curiosity are even more valuable than
curiosity are even more valuable than
curiosity are even more valuable than cognitive intelligence the Newsweek
cognitive intelligence the Newsweek
cognitive intelligence the Newsweek article cited a an Indiana University
article cited a an Indiana University
article cited a an Indiana University study in which they tracked people over
study in which they tracked people over
study in which they tracked people over time and they found that lifetime
time and they found that lifetime
time and they found that lifetime creative achievement in adults was more
creative achievement in adults was more
creative achievement in adults was more than three times more highly correlated
than three times more highly correlated
than three times more highly correlated with childhood creativity than it was
with childhood creativity than it was
with childhood creativity than it was with childhood IQ New York University
with childhood IQ New York University
with childhood IQ New York University also did a study where they took a look
also did a study where they took a look
also did a study where they took a look at students college students and they
at students college students and they
at students college students and they found an inverse relationship between
found an inverse relationship between
found an inverse relationship between GPA and an innovation orientation
GPA and an innovation orientation
GPA and an innovation orientation sometimes good students can tend to be
sometimes good students can tend to be
sometimes good students can tend to be conformists and have a lower risk
conformists and have a lower risk
conformists and have a lower risk profile and that can lead again to less
profile and that can lead again to less
profile and that can lead again to less original thinking finally Google has all
original thinking finally Google has all
original thinking finally Google has all but abandoned the use of SAT scores and
but abandoned the use of SAT scores and
but abandoned the use of SAT scores and GPA in their hiring practices because
GPA in their hiring practices because
GPA in their hiring practices because after a lot of analysis they have found
after a lot of analysis they have found
after a lot of analysis they have found zero predictive ability
zero predictive ability
zero predictive ability these measures in the prospects of
these measures in the prospects of
these measures in the prospects of success and productivity of an employee
success and productivity of an employee
success and productivity of an employee later on these are really important
later on these are really important
later on these are really important points that I think are especially
points that I think are especially
points that I think are especially relevant for elite students who obsess
relevant for elite students who obsess
relevant for elite students who obsess over these measures like GPA and test
over these measures like GPA and test
over these measures like GPA and test scores and my fear is the people who do
scores and my fear is the people who do
scores and my fear is the people who do well on those metrics are going to have
well on those metrics are going to have
well on those metrics are going to have a false sense of security of their
a false sense of security of their
a false sense of security of their prospects for success in this future
prospects for success in this future
prospects for success in this future world now by the way for those of you
world now by the way for those of you
world now by the way for those of you who are students feel free to use that
who are students feel free to use that
who are students feel free to use that argument next time you need a little bit
argument next time you need a little bit
argument next time you need a little bit of air cover with your folks after a
of air cover with your folks after a
of air cover with your folks after a disappointing grade you know you’re
disappointing grade you know you’re
disappointing grade you know you’re welcome no in all seriousness there’s a
welcome no in all seriousness there’s a
welcome no in all seriousness there’s a ton at stake here for us and especially
ton at stake here for us and especially
ton at stake here for us and especially for kids and ultimately I’m not saying
for kids and ultimately I’m not saying
for kids and ultimately I’m not saying here that what I’ve outlined is the
here that what I’ve outlined is the
here that what I’ve outlined is the silver bullet solution of the creativity
silver bullet solution of the creativity
silver bullet solution of the creativity crisis but I do know we do we know one
crisis but I do know we do we know one
crisis but I do know we do we know one thing for sure and empirically we know
thing for sure and empirically we know
thing for sure and empirically we know ignoring it isn’t going to make it go
ignoring it isn’t going to make it go
ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away
away
away Winston Churchill once said never let a
Winston Churchill once said never let a
Winston Churchill once said never let a good crisis go to waste let’s not
good crisis go to waste let’s not
good crisis go to waste let’s not continue to let the creativity crisis go
continue to let the creativity crisis go
continue to let the creativity crisis go to waste
to waste
to waste thank you
”
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