Resilience Discussion: "The Creativity Crisis"
https://www.resilience.org/stories/2018-09-24/the-creativity-crisis/
https://kkim.wmwikis.net/file/view/Kim_2011_Creativity_crisis.pdf
A topic worthy of discussion, studies by Kyung Hee Kim, professor in the School of Education, The College of William and Mary, show a drastic reduction in creativity since the 90s.
This struck a chord with me because in my last few years of teaching computer graphics, I noticed a stark decrease in students' ability to come up with their own ideas for projects. They just couldn't do it. In earlier years, most students were delighted to be able to choose their own ideas.
It was during this period when standardized testing and "teaching to the test" became prominent. I blamed it on that.
There is also discussion in the article about the influence of smart phones and passive activity. The interviewer makes the point that "thinking outside the box" is crucially important in these days of climate crisis.
Thoughts?
Comments
Daydreaming is essential
For creativity. But we don't do that a lot anymore because our eyes are always fixed on our smartphones. Anecdotally, the less time I personally spend on social media, the more I write and create.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Kids need time to be bored, IMO.
That's when daydreaming and new ideas happen.
The loss of recess time in elementary school . . .
When I was a kid we had recess in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon. During 2005-2007 I taught music in an intermediate school (4-5) and they did not have recess - at all. Plus, some wanted them to be silent during lunch. OMG. Those kids were in a constant state of near explosion. Eventually, I convinced the principal to purchase playground equipment for me and I took every class out on Fridays as a "reward" for good behavior. We didn't even have a good spot to play. Had to use a parking lot out back. Insane.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
If I wanted to kick up my cynicism a few notches
I'd actually wonder aloud if the new policies of less play (playing for children and adults has been scientifically linked to bolstering creativity) were intentional in the hope it creates just what we have, less creativity. Less creativity, less out of the box thinkers. Less out of the box thinkers, more compliance.
But I'm not that cynical. Yet.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I am that cynical - and yes it could be on purpose
It could be a strategy from some right-wing think tank. Those that want to turn us into a slave class. The most striking thing from the infamous Mitt Romney tape IMO was not his comment about the 47%. It was that he remarked how wonderful it was that Chinese laborers would gratefully work for very little pay.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
That's a helluva statement
I guess I am that cynical.
But here's the bigger question: how many generations would it take to entirely breed out American's love affair of seeing themselves as explorers?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
How many generations DID it take? ;)
"But here's the bigger question: how many generations
woulddid it take to entirely breed out American's love affair of seeing themselves as explorers?"FTFY
FTFY
Had to look it up. Are you using it as "fixed that for you" or "fuck this fuck you?"
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
Emphasis on the word "entirely"
There are still quite a few of us left that embrace our non compliant nature.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
I think I have to share that on Facebook . . .
Excellent meme.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
Explorers
So much disillusionment. Sigh.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
few educators can get past the standardized regime
A serious restriction in primary grades for the development of young minds. Here they are extolling the benefits of required computer programming beginning in kindergarten (sponsored by micro soft). I've been fighting back, saying let's teach the kids hands-on with nature like activities -- germinate seeds, read tree leaves, build a tool box -- anything to engage the eye-hand development beyond keyboard conditioning. Few seem to agree.
question everything
Absolutely . . .
I have always said that a good teacher can do more with a shoebox than can be achieved through computer-based learning. That view as a techie. Since the 80s, computer technology has been treated as a jesus thing in education.
There are plenty of benefits of technology in education, but they can't compare to live action teaching and live action learning.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
Great article, good discussion.
I grew up a farm kid. Farming forces you to think outside the box. How to fix things when parts are unavailable, how to make hard jobs become easier, what new tool/device could you fabricate to help you do something that you couldn't do before. Growing up as a farmer I easily made the transition to being a hair dresser/colorist/stylist. (You wouldn't believe how many successful stylists grew up on the farm). It helped me that I had very little exposure to MSM (almost no TV) and to this day it is still the same.
IMHO very few of us are that creative. In moments when I think I had a really imaginative and creative event I realize that I stole/co-opted much of the the idea. But I guess taking others creative ideas and reorganizing them is still being creative on some level.
I have been noodling over a movie plot for some years. I guess this would be the time to share it. Imagine a movie styled sort of like the Truman show. But in this plot "Truman" has a skill that no one else on the planet has anymore. Creative thinking. And because he has this and all of corporate oligarchy recognizes the need for it, he is inundated with job offers, invitations to join clubs and sit on boards. But even beyond that he is unknowingly surrounded by spies. Every seductive temptress is thrown at him. They quiz and analyze him at length and leave eavesdropping devices behind when they exit. Intel agencies continuously monitor his every word, thought, and expression. And whenever he has a new thought corporations rush to use it in an ad campaign, war mongers rush to use it to support war, uber wealth rush to use the new thought to push for tax cuts. And so "Truman" immediately sees his thoughts come to life virally. He has a new thought on Monday morning and by Monday midday there are billboards expressing the thoughts, Top 40 hits expressing the thought, and news anchors fall right in line echoing the new thought. Our character at some point realizes that his lovers are spies, his friends are spies, his home is totally surveilled, his every thought impacts the world. With this realization he now thoughtfully leaks new creative ideas that will change our society for the better. And the oligarchs that were preying on his creativity slowly fall victim to that very same creativity.And we all live happily ever after.
Hmm. But maybe I stole this idea? Who knows. Happy imagining.
Love your movie idea!
What a great idea for a movie plot. Really wonderful!
Good point about farm creativity. My dad was great at fixing things with baling wire or twine. Those were the days before duct tape. My husband amazes me too. He grew up a city boy, but out here in the country he can build or fix about anything.
Hmmmm . . .
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo