Creativity, Education, and You

Did you ever get angry at science class for reducing all the mysteries of the world into a few simple formulas? Or how about at math word problems for demanding that you squeeze all the possibility out of language and come up with a single and absolute solution with no alternatives? Ever feel like maybe school just "isn't"/ "wasn't" for you, yet also feel like some sort of imbecile or social deviant for thinking that way? The American education system, with it's oxymoronic emphasis on individualized conformity, has a tendency to make many feel alone and ostracized for their differences. Or, in more simpler words, it has a tendency to make you feel dumb and downright useless. At least that's how I always felt in math class, when my mind simply could not handle the absolutism of numbers and formulas.

But obviously I'm not useless. And neither are you. While the education system may not teach us to find value in ourselves as individuals, creativity does. Perhaps the issue with education and schooling is that it kills the creativity and doesn't leave room for divergent thinking.

That's what Sir Ken Robinson suggests. Jjjjound.com, a fantastic blog from Montreal, Quebec (more to come on this city later) that impress the likes of Chromeo, tweeted a link to this animated version of his recent speech on education and creativity. I suggest you watch it and realize the value in yourself, as well as some other important facts Robinson leaves you with:

1. We all have the capacity for creativity.

2. Most great learning happens in groups.

3. The culture of the institution of education is not for everyone.

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