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| image courtesy of http://www.writingforward.com |
A word can’t be a word without defining it. As we proceed
with this world, we asked for every definition of everything. In connection
with this, I am still puzzled on how we are going to define CREATIVITY. A lot
of explanations were already given but I am left confused because all the given
definitions are with the application of the word creativity (to make, to grow,
something new).
If I am going to define
the word creativity as redefining what is the norm, weird per se.
(1)
If a man did a painting in a blank sheet of paper and he
used white paint. You will see nothing; perhaps you will judge that it is a
senseless move to put some white paint in a white sheet of paper. However, you
have to realize that it is only about 30% of creativity is the final product
the other 70% will fall to the motive and other inspiration. If you could
judge that painting based on the total appearance, maybe you will give him a
failing grade. Although, man exerted extra effort with his painting we never
knew why he did that. With so many questions, you begin to wonder on the
reasons. As you look into the painting, you realized that the title is
“Cleanliness”.
Is he creative?
Is it appropriate?
Is it new?
(2)
When I am writing a book, I copied several ideas from
different sources. I copied the first chapters of a great book who is part of
literature but somehow managed to twist the story, used a solid character from
other book, got the ending of another book and made it different. I did not
copy the exact words and I used different language or attack in writing the
story.
Is it creativity?
Is it inspiration or a stolen idea?
A classic explanation of this is even unconsciously we
are create a second rate copy, we are copying from another source. The same
plots of The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin in the contrary of a Disney princess
Mulan, The Avatar and Pocahontas and the recurring plots Filipino teleseryes.
Are we just limited to others’ idea?
We are done with modernity when “new” ideas are simple
mathematics. Now, we are facing the post-modernism dilemma where you can’t
create new one because everything is already created. Yes, new is a general
term that can “new idea”, “new use” or “new item” but we can’t deny that in
this world every idea is already been tampered.
(3)
How are we going to measure creativity in different sides
of intelligences? If we have the prominent people who measure this one, how did
they qualify? Creativity is neither quantitative nor qualitative, it is
immeasurable or if it can be measured, it requires a solid formula. Let’s say,
what is good to me, is not with you; it is mainly subjective. Even, I got a
degree in creativity, I can’t say that I have the guts to say you are the most
creative person because of the things you did.
How can we measure creativity without being bias?
Is creativity absolute or very limited?
So many questions left unanswered because of the
limitation of our creativity. If creativity came from intelligence, why there
are people choose not to be creative?
How about you?
What are your qualifications to be creative?
How are you going to define creativeness?
