Everyday Creativity

     The creative activity this week was a great example of how creativity can grow exponentially when there is collaboration in the process. I usually am a solo worker and don't care much for group projects. There have been times where in our first group meeting for a class project, I asked everyone if I could just do the whole thing. Unsurprisingly, most of them were happy to let me do so. But it defeats the purpose of the group project anyway. I'm not sure why I am that way. Maybe I don't like waiting on others, maybe I am a control freak, maybe sometimes I don't trust others to fulfill their portion so I would rather just do it than be anxious about it. Nevertheless, group work isn't usually my strong suit. But it was great to have it unfold organically during our creative activity. With two additional minds at work, it was easy to blow through many uses of a paperclip in a matter of minutes. Each person was bringing in their own unique ideas that the others wouldn't have been able to even fathom coming up with on their own. Each of our ideas were fueled by our own uniqueness. Our own personal history and inclinations were able to generate so many diverse responses. It was incredible to see and participate in.

    Personally, I think this was a great example of little-c creativity. It was a way of illustrating how creative potential is widely distributed among many people. People may think that they aren't a creative person but the truth is that it is just laying somewhat dormant in them. It is like a muscle that one has to target and train for it to get stronger. And there are tons of opportunities throughout each day to work out that creative muscle once you are aware of it. It is very inspiring to realize that potential that each person has.