Are we at a stand still with innovative thinking, just waiting for technology to evolve? Liberal art programs are being cut from schools and libraries are closing. Yet there is a demand for innovative thinking in the workplace as STEM suggests. Throughout history those with skills in the arts were used to share what was going on in different parts of the world and inspired creativity. Now, with consideration of globalism be positive, the world is doing the same thing, at the same rate, and at the same time. Need not to worry, we are going Back to the Future. From ancient Africa to our modern globalized society, the creative geniuses have not failed us yet. Although, sometimes society has failed those with Openness/Intellect; or is it the fact that the majority of those making significant marks in history are considered schizotypy?
For example; John Dryden, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Isaac Newton, Beethoven, Thelonious Monk, Vincent van Gogh, Nikola Telsa, Tupac Shakur, and John Nash all had psychological struggles. Poets are more likely to commit suicide. Drug abuse is common and creative geniuses are also often associated with having Bipolar disorders. Researchers have come to the conclusion that the psyche of peculiar people are more likely to develop due to childhood trauma they experienced.
The definition of genius, as argued by scholars, has to be redefined to include women and people of color. In fact there are more geniuses than science has predicted living within our population. Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. states in The Creative Post that "while not necessarily mad, creative minds are often chaotic, untethered and unhinged. These thought processes enable a creative person to bring together lots of seemingly disparate streams of information in a unique way not immediately obvious to those grounded in "reality.""
In most recent news Kanye West proclaimed "I am a creative genius." It's great to see his passion for his craft (producing, performing, fashion, film, graphic design, etc.., and to watch as his main stream success does not undermine him as an individual contributor to American innovation. Instead Kanye's madness enables his name to become associated with a "mad man" like Galileo; who wasn't insane at all. DONDA, Kanye's newest venture is quite genius; a corporate structured agency with at least 22 divisions, some of which I previously mentioned.
Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter III, is president and CEO of profitable companies combined together to manage an expected 100 performing artists. Lil Wayne doesn't write lyrics on paper; instead he memorizes his countless hits. He plays guitar in his rock band, recently added professional skateboarding to his resume, and records albums and promo music simultaneously. All Mr. Carter creativity is happening on a nearly 247 365 day basis, for at least the past 20 years. Lil' Wayne has also managed to study psychology at the University of Houston but due to his schedule a swarming fans he has altered to finishing his Master Degree online.
The late creative genius Steve Jobs became famous after his genius was manifested with Apple Inc. and his innovative thinking in developing technology. I chose Kanye West and Lil' Wayne because of their celebrity and the unmistakable evidence of their display of genius at work. Is there a method to the madness; yes, it's creativity.
"There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman think he is sane. I know I am mad"-Salvador Dali. I blame my madness for attempting to handle such a broad topic as the psychology of creativity in one post. I am more concerned providing you with thought provoking information.
Click the links in this post for detailed articles and studies that cover the chaotic phenomenon in depth.
Videos:Creativity and Madness
Genius or Madness?
