My friend Jim Baucom gave me a copy of best-selling author Jonah Lehrer’s Imagine: How Creativity Works. The sleeve of the book promises “a sparkling and revelatory look at the new science of creativity.” Shattering the myth of muses, higher powers, even creative “types,” Jonah Lehrer demonstrates that creativity is not a single gift possessed by the lucky few. It’s a variety of distinct thought processes that we can all learn to use more effectively.”
John Chandler
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The thought that creativity and imagination can be intentionally cultivated is a captivating one. Despite the omnipresent North American ethos of hyper-individualism, we are seeing a trend of thinking about creativity as a group or network activity. It is not the lone celebrity artist but the collaborative “creative class” that will generate imagination in days to come. Over the next few columns, we will examine the trend of fostering imagination and creativity through networks.
Lehrer is both prophetic and helpful when he discusses how networks can create environments that foster imagination. He cites a study in the Kellogg Business School that analyzes 19.9 million peer-reviewed papers and 2.1 million patents in the last half-century which indicates that breakthrough is two to six times more likely when coming from a team rather than an individual. “While the most cited studies in a field used to be the product of lone geniuses—think Einstein or Darwin—… the best research now emerges from groups” (p.140).
Why is this so? Because most easy problems in our culture (and in our churches) have been solved, and the problems that remain require a more sophisticated approach. Tougher bugs require stronger antibiotics! Northwestern University sociologist Brian Uzzi describes “Q” as the level of intimacy and variety within interconnected social networks. Higher “Q” ratings demonstrate the elevated imagination and greater creativity needed to solve more complicated problems.
Jesus not only interacted with mass audiences; he had three very close friends (Peter, James, and John), 12 tight disciples, 70 on a team he sent out two-by-two, 120 in an upper room praying. From the web of these dense social relationships came the most creative teaching in human history. Jesus had high “Q!”
I suspect our creativity and imagination will spring out of our “Q” as well.
John Chandler is leader of the Spence Network, www.spencenetwork.equip.htm.