Creativity

I was first presented with knowledge of the TED conference when I was watching my favorite television show in the summer of '08. On this episode of "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," Griffin made a visit to the house of her friend Rosie O'Donnell. After sharing information of Kathy's new relationship with Apple co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak, O'Donnell proceeds to beg Griffin to use her connections with "Woz" to get her into the exclusive TED conference. In the end, he worked his magic and was able to get O'Donnell admission. I remember watching this episode and thinking, "TED conference? I wonder what that is...must be pretty cool though if it's invite-only." But ultimately that was the last I thought of it, until this class.



After watching Sir Ken Robinson's and Elizabeth Gilbert's TED talks, I can say that I was right...they are cool. Not only do they present amazing and novel ideas, but they caused me to think in-depth about the subject on hand, creativity. Robinson really raises some valid points about the destruction of creativity.

I can honestly say that I am one of the people he described in his talk as fearing being wrong, and therefore lacking creativity. It's because in school, I was either scolded or embarrassed for a wrong answer or wrong-doing and ultimately decided to only express myself when I was 100 % sure that I was correct. I was educated out of creativity and that is such a horrible transition to make. Luckily, I feel like I have found my creative side once again while in college, but not all students are as lucky.

I definitely agree on what Robinson was getting at, "a rethink(ing) of the fundamental principles on which we educate." If we don't, just think about how many authors, actors, dancers, musicians, and other creative professionals who will never pursue their dream out of fear of being wrong.


Although I enjoyed Robinson's speech very much, it was Gilbert's that struck a chord with me and inspired me. Why is the book following a NY Times Best Seller so publicized, as well as the movie following an actor's Academy Award, and the season after a Super Bowl win? It's because generally people want to see if you can top it because the odds are definitely against you. As Gilbert says, that puts an enormous amount of unnecessary pressure on the creative producer. That is why we do hear so many stories about people's great fall from success, which is sad.

I love her alternative to the pressure. Let's suppose that someone else, a distant source, instills in us or creativity, therefore it's not our fault if it turns out bad and we can't take all the credit if it becomes a masterpiece. It sounds peculiar, but I think it could work. How many times has something just come to you? Whether it be an idea, a song, or a story it has most likely it has happened. It has to me! This is why I feel the idea that creativity is being loaned to you will not only take pressure off the creative, but open up a gigantic door for all those afraid to be creative.