The main theme of the paper is creativity and how it is seen by society. The authors stresses that even though innovation is welcome in our society, it is not truly so. Innovation means change, it means the unknown. We as human beings don’t like to lose control and to try something with an uncertain ending. Something definite is what makes us calm. The author proves his point not only by his personal thoughts. He gives examples both from creative arts and sciences. The Matthew Pearl’s movie, which was meant to attract the creative side of each of the readers, becomes the perfect introduction for a more serious study which was directed by Mueller. These two arguments complete each other and together aim at uncovering the problem for the reader and aim at lighting some flames of thought.
Creativity is widely popularized today, however, the authors gives a new, fresh look at a topic that would seem to be run-down at a first glance. Most of the time people see creativity as something that is praised and easily accepted by our society. However, this article is here to bring to light the problem that exists in the modern world. The author greatly advances the understanding of the subject. He not only gives his point of view, but also supports it with concrete arguments. This not only gives his article a better foundation, but also shows that he is not the first, who has turned to this problem.
I believe that this article is only one of the first steps to the goal in front of us. It only shows the problem. No solutions are offered. Moreover, the author does not even suggest that this is a problem that needs be solved. It is clear that the author is disappointed by what he found, but nothing else. This sets the perfect place for future research and study. Not only is it needed to address the fact that this problem needs to be solved. More importantly, possible solutions must be suggested and perhaps even tested. This article is a good start for possible further research.
The article is written clearly and in a logical manner. It starts out with some generally accepted ideas. However, from the start a new side of the story is shown to the reader. The very beginning grabs the attention and keeps it on a short leash till the very end. One by one the arguments are thrown in front of the reader. These are not some general arguments either. As mentioned before the movie serves the function of a warm up. It is something that easier to relate to at the start and is also something more understandable for the majority of the readers. This argument based on the historical thriller is meant to break the ice. A little summery of the movie is given to be contrasted with the present time. However, it is greatly expanded with the history of the M.I.T. It being one of the top schools in the modern world, it serves as a good example of just how much creativity one is allowed to express. This forms a clearer picture in the mind of the reader. The movie world is compared to the real world. Having chosen movie based on real events, greatly facilitates the task of the writer to make the problem at hand a real one. Furthermore, the events of the movie take place a while back. This historical aspect shows just for how long the problem has existed, which in its turn shows the importance of it.
The author successfully introduces each of his points and connects them each other. The arguments flow one into the other. The entertaining part about the movie brings us to a scientific study. Of course a little introduction to the scientific part is also present. The author explains the study, its methods and tools. By making the study crystal clear, the author allows the reader to completely believe in the methodology as well as the results. Hard facts are now given for the reader. This is the high point of the article. Everything that came before was meant to prepare the reader and create the biggest effect possible when producing the results of the study. This is meant to be the final pull of the reader to the side of the author. It is all of this together that is to make the reader believe and make us think about the problem at hand.
In general, I found the article rather interesting; however, there were some parts that stopped me from enjoying it completely. This is not purely a scientific article. It is directed for a wider, popular science audience. However, as for me, the part where the author discussed the scientific study was not completely clear in some aspects. To my mind, the article could be improved by making the hard fact a bit more accessible for the wide public. This is not a topic that only scientist would be interested in. Creativity and innovation interests everyone.
One way I could use this article in my future is by keeping it in mind every day. There is always something new and creative one can do to spice up the grey weekdays. However, after reading this article I now realize that one must be careful. Even if you might be completely thrilled about your idea, it may be as eagerly accepted by others, even by your friends. This is by no means to say that one should limit creativity. That is by no means the point of the paper. On the contrary, the article inspires one to have creative idea and to stand out from the crowd. However, the article is here to also tell the hard truth. Not every great new idea is easily accepted. Moreover, it may be overlooked or, even worse, rejected as bad.
The author has opened up a complete new concept for me. Fear or bias was never something I thought of as a border. After seeing the proof and understanding the needed fact I have come to an understanding that it is important to be careful when proclaiming something which had been used for year as “wrong” or even changing the life for the better. All of these new idea need time to sink in and we must let that time flow to avoid any unnecessary drama. It is only with a cool head, that you can truly reach innovative success.
