Creativity Beyond the Conventional
"Genuine creative adaptation seems to represent the only possibility that man can keep abreast of the kaleidoscopic change in his world."
— Carl Rogers, as discussed in The Cult of Creativity by Samuel Franklin
In The Cult of Creativity, Samuel Franklin explores how creativity has been commodified and used primarily as a tool for increased production within capitalist systems. Chapter 2 of the book, titled "The Birth of Brainstorming," highlights how creativity techniques, like Alex Osborn's brainstorming method, were originally developed to boost productivity and problem-solving in corporate settings. However, this approach often confines creativity to structured, market-driven outputs, limiting its broader potential. Rather than encouraging deep, individual exploration or challenging societal norms, such methods usually prioritize efficiency over meaningful innovation.
In contrast, Chapter 3 introduces humanistic psychologists, such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, who viewed creativity as essential to self-actualization and personal growth. For them, creativity was about more than productivity; it was about transcending conventional thinking, engaging in individual expression, and driving positive societal change.
Designing the Worksheet: Expanding the Scope of Creative Problem-Solving
Drawing from these insights, I designed this worksheet to move away from the structured, output-driven nature of conventional methods like brainstorming. Instead, I aim to encourage participants to explore creative solutions beyond producing immediate results and rethink entire systems. By integrating ideas from systems thinking, indigenous knowledge, and critical theory, this worksheet invites open-ended exploration of complex problems.
One activity, "Critical Exploration," asks participants to choose a familiar system—the education system, workplace structures, or even local community initiatives—and imagine how it can be reimagined. This open-ended activity allows for creative engagement without predetermined outcomes, encouraging participants to look at these systems through fresh, unbounded perspectives. Inspired by critical play principles, this section nurtures creativity that challenges conventional boundaries and societal norms.
Creativity Beyond the Conventional
This worksheet aims to transcend limited definitions of creativity by embracing alternative knowledge frameworks. Rather than using creativity as a mere tool for productivity or leadership within capitalist systems, it positions creativity as a mechanism for rethinking and reconstructing systems, institutions, and societal values. This worksheet's exercises aim to inspire individuals to think critically, expand their imaginative capacities, and pursue new possibilities beyond what conventional approaches to leadership or problem-solving suggest.
