Chapter Five, The Outsider, dealt with the perspective of the seemingly "non-expert" attempting to solve a problem rather than someone who is deeply immersed in that work everyday. The "Q" that Lehrer talks about layers perfectly on top of that idea:
"...the biggest problems we need to solve now require the expertise of people from different backgrounds who bridge the gap between disciplines. Unless we learn to share our ideas with others, we will be stuck with a world of seemingly impossible problems. We can either work together or fail alone. But how should we work together? What's the ideal strategy for group creativity?" (p. 140).
I think this is a wonderful topic to discuss as educators. What are some examples of the way that the make-up of adults in your setting has enhanced or hindered creativity? Do you believe in the the power of Q?
Another wonderful point from this chapter was about space. I couldn't help but think of the piazza concept used in the schools of Reggio Emilia as an example of a gathering space, not unlike the one described at Pixar studios. We so often keep ourselves isolated as teachers, in our room all day without interacting with other teachers (or at least that is the traditional way); and the children are often restricted to their small classroom community. How can we create a meeting space for teachers or children? And can they be the same space? Do you have any experience with this?
Something worth exploring, in my opinion, is the idea of Third Place. Lehrer cites this in Chapter 6, but there seems to be a spark of an idea there about how the right kind of space could become that third place for children, families, and educators.
We'll discuss the final two chapters next week! I hope we'll see a few more people chime in...don't be shy! Even if you have not read the book, we'd love to have you join the conversation.
Also, please let me know in the comments if you would be interested in a Google+ Hangout next week or in early September on the topic of creativity!
Allie,
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the book when I heard of its release and thought today I might finally pick up a copy to join in the conversation, but then today I came across this news. Maybe you've seen it already: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/jonah-lehrer-resigns-from-new-yorker-after-making-up-dylan-quotes-for-his-book/
The publisher pulled it off the shelves, and its no longer on Amazon. Crazy!
I know, it happened right before we started reading, but after I announced the read-along. I took the first chapter (with the quotes that were stitched together) with a grain of salt, but it hasn't detracted from the overall message, at least for me. I think it is unfortunate, but there are still some great arguments and cases for enhancing creativity through relationships and space. They still have it at my library, so that might be a good place to find it for you, too!
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