elegant aspirations

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein.

Research suggests what many of us have suspected for some time: we are becoming less creative. Since the mid-1990s, scores measuring our creative abilities have shown a steady decline. Just as the obesity crisis can be partially linked to the addition of high fructose corn syrup, it is perhaps not surprising that the decline in our creativity coincides with the rise of the internet.

Historically, every generation has tended to be concerned about the character and abilities of those that follow it. However, in today’s algorithm-driven world, where we have instant access to everything we could ever want, should we be worried about losing our ability to think in original and creative ways?

Some years ago, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to produce a play in a high-security men’s correctional facility in the Catskill Mountains. I had no idea what to expect on that first day as I navigated the multiple metal doors that separate the men from the outside world. Would I encounter resistance, disinterest, or even hostility? Instead, what I found was a masterclass—a masterclass in collaborative creativity.

Most of the men in our theater troupe had been incarcerated for over fifteen years and were still relatively young, having been sentenced as teenagers. They had no cell phones and extremely limited computer access—no internet at all. Working with them felt like stepping back in time, to an era without Instagram, Netflix, or Spotify. With only paper and pen at their disposal, their spare time was filled with writing letters, creating stories, novels, screenplays, poetry, and drawings.

This creative foundation equipped the men with an imaginative approach to the play that would be hard to find on the outside. They brought inventive ideas to the characters and costumes, devised imaginative solutions to creating props from scant resources, and, lacking materials to build a set, drew every detail with a magic marker on pages from a school exercise book and taped them together. Most importantly, they continually found creative ways to put their egos aside and support each other in a system designed to do the opposite.

My experience in the prison affirms what scientists now believe: the decline in creativity today stems from our overstimulation, over-scheduling, and the overwhelming amount of information and entertainment that bombards us from all sides. Boredom is considered one of the main catalysts for creativity, yet these days, we rarely allow ourselves to feel bored. Growing up in a world with limited electronics, much of my childhood was spent exploring and creating as we went along. If we wanted entertainment, we had to come up with it ourselves.

By crowding our lives with busyness, we neglect to value our unique gifts and talents. Divine inspiration cannot find a home within us when we are constantly distracted. As a result, we become spectators and poor imitators of others. The good news is that if we want to cultivate our best selves, we can choose to reconnect and enhance our ability to think and act creatively in every aspect of our lives—whether in relationships, work, sports, or leisure.

Our first step on the path to greater creativity might sound outrageous today: schedule some “do nothing” time, and even more surprising, don’t feel guilty about it. Creative ideas require room to develop and space to take root. Activities we can engage in safely while our minds wander—such as showering or folding laundry—can also be fertile ground for creativity. When Steve Jobs needed to tap into his creativity, he famously left the office to go for a walk. And here’s a crucial point in today’s world: limit your hours of screen time entertainment; it will be well worth it.

In the words of Albert Einstein, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."