Not only is this TED Talk by Tim Harford a great eye opener on creativity, it is also a great example of how story telling is the perfect medium for sharing ideas. From the introduction you are drawn into the story of where nothing is going to plan, and what we can learn from such situations.
When we are faced with some sort of challenge or hurdle, our first instinct is often wrong. There is a, “I can’t do that” mentality. Tim believes we should gain more of an appreciation for the unexpected advantages of coping with mess. Especially around the creativity that results.
The talk shares examples across:
- Cognitive science – difficult to read fonts resulted in better test scores
- Complexity science – the step by step approach to problem solving has the potential to lead you down a dead end. But adding in randomness in the early stages of a project leads to more robust problem solving
- Social psychology – the awkward stranger changing the group dynamic for improved results
And lastly,
- Rock & roll – Brian Eno and his oblique cards methodology to disrupt musicians and make them uncomfortable. The musicians didn’t like the disruption but the results have made him one of the most sort after producers in the world.
Generally, we feel that disruptions are getting in the way and so we resist them. But if we can set up an environment that encourages more mess or randomness, even if it can be an uncomfortable experience, more creativity is likely to follow.
View the full 15 minute TED Talk below.
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