Understanding the Mind
Inspired (Pt. 5)
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
Creativity is neither mere habit nor pure accident. In the fifth installment based on Matt Richtel’s Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul, Doug presents Richtel’s comparison with biological reproduction: ideas mate, combine, and recombine. Unlike genetic mutation, however, creation can be chosen, deliberately pursued, and improved through a growing body of research.
A Note on the Original Text
Doug’s writings are presented as originally written. Spelling, punctuation, and grammatical irregularities have been retained to preserve his words and the integrity of the original record.
ORIGINAL WRITING
The title of this post is identical to the title of a book by Matt Richtel. The subtitle is Understanding Creativity A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.
This means that creativity is not mere habit. It is as natural as reproduction itself, the mating, combination, and recombination of ideas. As with mating, though, we can choose to create. This is where the analogy with nature departs. Our discoveries are not completely accidental or random.
Creations can be pursued. How creators do it has become the source of a growing body of scholarship. We are learning through creative research—powered by innovative technology—how to wield our creative power with greater precision.